The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-09-28
JEFFERS0N-HIS WEDDING AND WE'D
DING NIGHT.

|
: DING NIGHT.
The following pleasing picture is from tn
: early days of Jefferson, in the New York Cen
tmy Belinda (Jefferson's first love ha
been married many years, and her old admire
was approaching thirty, when he met with
young lady of twenty-five who produced
strong Impression upon him. She was lttl
above the medium hight, slender, but elegant,
formed. A faircomplexion with delicate tin
OF the rose, large hazel eyes, full of life ant
feeling, and luxuriant hair, of rich, soft auburn
formed combination of attractions which
were emlnently calculated to move the heart
POT youthful bachelor. In addition to all this
The young lady was admirably graceful; she
rode, danced and moved with elegant ease, and
sang and played upon the harpsichord very
sweetly. Add still to these accomplishment
the possession of excellent good sense, very
considerable cultivation, a warm, loving heart
and last, though not least, notable talents for
housekeeping, and it will not be difficult to un-
derstand how the youthful Jefferson came to
visit very frequently at the lady's residence in
the county Of Charles City. 1t was called the
Forest and the name OF the lady was Mrs.
Martha Shelton. She was Il daughter of John
Wayles, an eminent lawyer, and had married
/ IN her seventeenth year man named Barthurst
Skelton, who, dying in l768, left his young wife
widow oi nineteen. As three years OF mourn.
| ing began 10 expire, the beautiful young lady
found herself beseged at the " Forest" by nu-
merous visitors. Of these, three were favor
ties with Mr.. SHELTON, of whom Mr.. Thomas
Jefferson was one The tradition runs that
the pretensions of the rivals were decided
either by the musical accomplishments of the
young counselor, or by the fears of his opp0-
nents. The tale Is differently related. Ono
version is that the two unfortunate gentlemen
encountered each other on Mrs Skeletons door
step, but hearing Mr.. Jeierson's violin and
voice accompanying the lady in pathetic Song,
gave up the contest thenceierth, and retired
without entering. convinced that the affair was
beyond their control The story is that all
three met ut the door, and agreed that they
would take their turns Mr.. Jefferson entered
first, and the tones of the lady in singing with
her companion deprived the listeners of all
hope. However this may be, IL is certain that
the beautiful lady consented To become Mrs
Jefferson, and on the first day of January. l772,
there was Il great festival al the Forest"
Friends and kindred assembled from far and
ncar-therc was frocking and dancing after
the abundant old fashion-aud we find from
the bridcgr0oms notebook that the servants
and iiddlers received fees from his especial
pocket. II showed without, but within all was
mirth and enjoyment IN the warmth of the
great !og-dres roaring IN honor OF the occasion
Soon after the performance of the ceremony
the bridegroom and his bride set out in their
carriage for Monticello, where Mr.. Jefferson
had commenced building in 1869. just before
the destruction by fire OF his patrimonial house
of Shadwcll. The journey was not to end
without adventures. As they advanced to-
wards the mountains the snow increased in
depth aud finally they were compelled to leave
the carriage and proceeded upon their way on
horseback. Stopping to rest ut Blenhcm, the
seat OF Colonel Carter. where they found, how
ever, no one but an overseer they left at sun
set. resolutey bent upon reaching Monticello |
before night. 1t was eight miles distant; and
the road, which was rather Il mountain bride. |
path than an honest highway, was incumbered
with snow three feet deep We may fancy the
sensations of the newly-wedded bride at the |
chill appearance of a desolate landscape, as she
passed along through the snow; bu. she was a
woman of courage and strength and did not
care for Inconvenience. 1t was late when they
and a cherries reception awaited
them--or rather, there was no reception ut all.
The firos were all out and the servants had |
gone 10 bed, the place was dark and silent as
the grave Conducting his wife to the little
pavilion, which was the only part of the house
habitable at the time, Jefferson proceeded to
do the honors On shelf, behind some books,
part of bottle of wine was discovered, and
this formed the supper of the bridegroom and
bride. Far from being annoyed or discounted
by their reception, however, it only served for
a topic of jest and laughter. The young lady
was merry and light hearted as n bird, and sent
her clear voice ringing through the dreary lit
tie pavilion as gayly as ever she had done in
the cheerful drawing-room of the Forest ="
Thus the long hours of the Winter night fed
away like minutes, winged with laughter, mer
riment and song The vigil was mirthful in
cident rather than trial of equanimity. They
we're young and they had just been married.
When hands are casped together and hearts
peat close, there is very little gloom in dark {
ness, and Winter nights are not cold The
title moral sentiment will not, hope, be criti-
Used as too romantic for the dignity of history.
It doubtless explains how young lady and
gentleman, both used to every comfort and {
luxury, found the gloomy little pavilion, in the {
midst of three feet Of snow, neither dark nor !
old on that January night long ago. +.
In Christianburg, Virginia, there is ven-