Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-03-01

those early days, worthy of patriarchal
times. Mr.. Chamberlayne had heard of
Washington. and his noble deeds, and he
was anxious to show his admiration for
the young hero by welcoming him into
his mansion. Washington declined the
Invitation, as his business at Williams
burgh was so important it did not admit
of any delay. Mr.. Chamberlayne insist
ed that Washington should be his guest,
and, if he could stay no longer, he must
dine with him. and as an inducement, he
promised to introduce him to beautiful
young widow. Washington agreed to do
$50 if he could leave Immediately after din
ner. This was assented to. Thomas
Bishop bis body servant, was with him.
Bishop was a character, and be makes
quite figure in the history of Washing
ton. When General Braddock was dying
on the field of battle at Monongahela, be
advised Bishop, who had been his servant,
to enter the service of Colonel Washing
ton, and said to him: Only be as faith
ul to him as you have been to me and
you will not lose your reward" Bishop
took the advice Of his dying master, en-
tered the service of the youthful Washing-
ton, and was distinguished for his fidelity
during forty years, and at last died at
Mount Vernon, esteemed in life, lament
ed in death.
Bishop was with his master when he
was sharing the hospitality of Mr.. Cham
herlayne. Washington. as he was about
to enter the dwelling said. Bishop have
the horses ready. at such an hour, that we
can pursue our Journey" Bishop touch
cd his cap in military style. and said.
Your honor's orders shall be obeyed."
Bishop who knew his master was true to
dates as the almanac, punctual as the ris-
ling of the sun, had the horses at the door,
holding them BY their brides. at the very
moment his master had named.
Washington was distinguished for pune
tuality; he considered it great virtue
He was always at hand. prompt. to the
moment. He never kept any one waiting.
When President he had Secretary who
was always behind. and he would pull out
his watch and lay it to that-it was too
slow. Washington endured it as long as
be could, and one day the Secretary came
in late, and again he laid it to his watch.
Washington said to him: lone of two
things must take place Immediately, you.
must get new watch, or [ must get
new Secretary
Washington entered the house and was
introduced to several young ladies; and,
among others. to beautiful young widow.
Washington was tall young man, majes-
tic in person. a hero, with his honors thick
upon him. His noble form possessed all
the grace Of the sculptor, his limbs were
of the manifest proportions. He had
noble forehead. His hair was dark brown.
his eyes were blue, and countenance full
of intelligence and benignity. Washing
ton was man of mark, and looked like
one Of the Lords of creation. A few
y years after, when he took the command of
the army, at Cambridge. the gifted wife
of John Adams, in letter to her hus-
band. thus described him: Dignity. ease
and complacency, the gentleman aud the
scholar, look agreeably blended in him.
Modesty marks every line and feature of
his face. Those words of Dryden instant,
ly occurred to me;
| Mark his majestic fabric! He's a temple
Sacred by birth and built by hands divine;
His SOULS the Deity that lodges there;
Nor is the pile unworthy of the God.'''
| Such must have been the appearance of
Washington when he was introduced to
the ladies in Mr.. Chamberlayne's parlor
The young widow was Mrs Martha Custis
She belonged to one of the first families
in Virginia, and her original name was
cambridge. Martha was beautiful girl,
and at the early age of seventeen was mar
ried to Colonel John Parke GUSTS, gen.
tleman of great wealth. They resided at
the White House. and were blest with
four children; two of them died when quite
small. Mr.. Custis died in the summer of
1857. leaving bis wife "a widow at the early
age of twenty five. Notwithstanding her
bereavement, Mrs. Custis retained her pri-
mitive beauty unimpaired. and she was
left one of the wealthiest widows in Vir-
ginia. All her biographers represent her
as remarkably handsome. Her portrait.
taken over hundred years ago, when she
was widow. by the artist, Woolaston.
represents her beautiful Multitudes have
looked upon the pictures taken from the
painting with admiration, and have ex-
claimed. "Oh, what beauty p
Martha was short. plump, with dark
eyes. beautiful as the hues of the rainbow,
and her hair was dark and handsome
Her form, though small. was full. round;
and splecdidly developed. She was then
a charming young widow. fresh and fra
grant as the rose. and as gentle as sum-
mer breeze. Intelligence was depicted in
her noble features, and her whole appear
ance was that of peculiar loveliness Such
was Mrs. Martha Custis when Washing
ton was introduced to her. -.
Their meeting, though unexpected, was
to both of them one of inexpressible inter-
est, as well as of exquisite joy. It was an
important era in their history, for it had
great influence in shaping their future
destiny. Washington was at once cspti-
! waited. charmed thrilled hv the rare hean