West-Jersey pioneer., 1872-03-22

| ton was blessed with that renOTn so en-
nobling in the sight OF woman In a
word, before they separated, they mutu-
ally plighted their faith, and their mar
riage was to take place as soon as the
campaign of Fort Duquesne was at an
end"
Washington had showed the dif6deuce
Of love, and suffered by it; now he ex-
hibits the heroism Of love-
About year and half after their
| first interview, Mrs Martha Custis be-
came Mrs Martha Washington They
were married at the White House, the
residence of the bride, January 6, 1853
The marriage was one of uncommon
snlendor; the wealthy, the gay, and the
fashionable were there in crowds. What
splendid Bridegroom What beautiful
bride
They we're not only married at the
White House, but there was an unusual
amount of white displayed; white dresses
white wells, white ribbons, white gloves.
| and white vests. There never was a
more suitable couple united since the
first marriage in Eden. At the wedding
there was wealth and beauty, courtesy
and gallantry, wisdom aud wit. 1t was
long remembered. George Washington
Parke Gusts said he inquired of an old
negro in his hundredth year, "Cully, do
you remember whsn Colonel Washington
came courting your mistress 2" AS his
eyes frightened, and smile of joy pay
ed over bis aged and wrinkled face this
ancient servant in the family, who had
lived to see five generations replied: =
"Aye, master, that | do. Great times,
sir, great times; shall never live to see
the like again" "And Washington
looked like man, proper man, hey,
Chilly I" continued the inquirer. "Neber
seed de like sir, nebber, nebber de likes
of him, though have seen many men
in my day; so tall, SO straight; and den
he sat on horse, and rode with such an
air All. sir, he slike no one else!-
Many Of the. grandest gentlemen were
there, in gold, at the wedding, but none
Lohed like the man himself" What a
life time impression Washington and his
wedding made upon the mind of this un-
cultivated negro that three score years
could not effacs.
We have seen that Washington marri-
ed d widow; SO have many distinguished
men, among whom were John Wesley and
George Whitfield. am not advocating
second marriages, but stating historical
| fact I am aware there are those who
are directly opposed to them, aud who
would have law unalterable as the
Medes and Persians, that no widow or
widower should ever be married II
that had been enforced we never would
have had George Washington, for he
was q child of a second marriage; aud he
would never have had Martha, for she
was widow lare
Martha Washington is one of those
persons whom We can contemplate with
ever increasing delight, no matter wheth.
er you view her as the queen of Mount
Vernon, in the soldiers camp, or in the
house of the President. Her character
is not easily exhibited in colors Of po
etry, for she was matter-of fact woman
She had not only external, but internal
beauty, beauty of character. and beauty
of life. She was endowed with all those
qualities that rendered her striking and
interesting. She had wealth withou
pride; beauty without vanity; tend
without weakness. She wasa high soulec
woman, with strong common sense, al
iron will, genuine patriotism, untirins
industry, beautiful simplicity, majes til
sweetness. dignifed self possession, ant
unobtrusive piety. She was we'll worth,
to have been the wife of the 'father o
his country" A man can afford to be
disappointed twice who can succeed sc
we'll the third time. She was in man,
respects the model woman. Flavor i
i deceitful, and beauty is vain; but wo
man that feareth the Lord, she shall bt
praised "
Forty years they lived together, ant
Mount Vernon was their earthly para
disc, their terrestrial Eden. But th,
hour of separation came, aud on the l4tl
of December, l799, Washington gav'
his great soul to God, aud his body t,
the dust Mrs. Washington was restins
her head upon a well-worn Bible whel
he expired. She inquired in mournfu
tone, "ls he gone? IT'S we'll; all is nov
over. shall soon follow him; | hav
no more trials to pass through" He
prediction proved true. Two years an
half after his death Mrs Washington
expired at Mount Vernon the 22d 0
May, 1902. A few months ago | was a
Mount Vernon, and in the rooms wher
they died and felt it hallowed place
went to the old vault, where they wer
first buried, and beautiful bird ha'
made its little nest within then Wis
tied the new tomb, where the ilustriou
dead are sleeping in marble collins. Owe
the iron gate are these words: 81 an
the resurrection and the life; he tha
believeth in me, though he were dead
yet shall he live" Over the arch is
white marble tablet; on it is inscribed
Within this enclosure rest the remain
of General George Washington"
| felt that it was hallowed spot, tha
I was treading on hallowed ground. ]
too, would have taken off my sandals.
,, 1t was in May. The sun was shinin
in spring like beauty, the birds were sing
ing the flowers blooming, as | turne
from the tomb, exclaiming,
"See truth, love and mercy in triumph de
scending,
: And nature all glowing in Eden's frs
bloom
/ On the cold cheek of death smiles and rose
are blending,
And beauty, immortal awakes from til
tomb"
: GA QUEER SCHOOL MARM"-A littl
girl in the South, old enough to atten
: school, had never heard prayer. !
I missionary pursuaded her to go to a Uni
, on Sunday-school he had recently starte,
: and which was conducted by lady
When the little girl saw the school wa
' opened with singing and prayer, she slip