Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-03-30

was man of mark, and looked like one of
the lords Of creation. A few years after.
when he took the command of the army. at
Cambridge. the gifted wife of John Adams.
in "a letter to her husband, thus described
him: Dignity. ease and Complacpncy,
the gentleman and the scholar look aureea-
bly, blended III him modcsty marks every
line and feature of his face. Those words
of Dryden instantly occurred to me
mark his majestic fabric! He's a temple
| Sacred by birth, aud built by hands divine
His suu's the Deity that lodges there:
Nor is the pile unworthy of the Cod "
Such must have been the appearance of
! Washington when he was introduced to
the ladies IN MI. Chamberlayne's parlnr.
! The young widow was Mrs Martha Gus
It's. She belonged to one Of the first fam-
lies in Virginia. aud her original name was
Dandrige. Martha was beautiful girl,
and nj the early age of seventeen was mar
rled to Colonel John Parke Gusts. a gen
tlemaD OF great wealth. They resided at
the White House. and were Olest with four
children; two of them died when quite
small. Mr.. Custis died in the summer of
lI37, leaving his wife IL widow at the carly
age of twenty-five. Notwithstanding her
bereavement, Mrs. Gusts retained her pr-
mliive beauty unimpaired, and she was
left one of the weathest widows in Nir-
glnia. All her Diographcrs represent her
rs remarkably handsome. Her portrait,
taken over hundred years ago. when she
was widow, by the artist. Woolnston.
represents her beautiful. Mullitudes have
looked upon the pictures taken from the
painting with admiration, and have ex-
claimed, "Oh, what beauty !"
Martha was short. plump. with dark
eyes, beautiful ms the huCs of the rainbow
and her hair was dark and handsome. Her
form, though small, was full, round, and
spicudidy developed She was then n
charming young widow, fresh aud fragrant
as the rose, and as gentle rs a summer
breeze. Intelligence was depicted in her
noble features, and her whole appearance
was that of peculiar lovcliness. such was
Mrs. Martha Gusts when Washington was
introduced To her.
Their meeting. though unexpected, was
to both Of them one Of ineXpressibly inter
est, as well as Of exquisite joy. 1t was an
important era in their history. for it had
great influence in shaping their future des-
tiny. Washington was at once captivated,
charmed, thrilled by the rare beauty and
SURPRISING lOvcinCss of the fascinating
young widow. He gazed upon her with
admiration and delight; and can we won
der the strange passion of love" again
awokc in his bosom, and she responded to
it with Il modest blush, as Il smile of unut-
teraOle sweetness irradiatcd her counte-
nance. Washington and the beautiful
young widow there formed a mutual admi-
ration society, and they both became mem
bers of it, as love responded to love, their
hearts not only beat in unis.5n with each
other. but like kindred drops. were ming
led into one. This was indeed a surprise
and Hcy ccre BOTH SDitten nj tie Su1ie time.
We will return Tor a moment To- Wash
ington's cOlored servant Bishop, whom VIC
left at the gaze with the horses ready for
his master to pursue his journey after din
ncr lie wondered at his masters delay.
for he had never known him behind the
time on any other occasion. Hour after
hour passed away, and the sun went down
behind the western hills. and tine shadows
OF evening gathered around EN-. The
horses were ordered 10 be put up in the
stable. Washington WAS in no hurry. He
spent that night IN the parIor with the
blooming young widow. admiriug her and
she admiring him; and the night glided
swiftly u'cr their heads. made up of Inun-
cencc and love, as they talked of love, and
love affairs; and the sun rose in the east,
and Washington was in no haste the
morning passed away, and the sun was far
up IN the heavens when he left that house.
with IFS overwhelming attractions, Gs re-
luctantly as Adam left paradise.
Bishop had waited, and marvcllrd ut The
delay ot his master. An. Bishop" SAYS
n fair writer describing the occurrence,
There was an urchIn in the drawing-rnom
more powerful than King George and all
his governors subtle a sphynX, he had
hidden the important dispatches from the
soldiers sight, shut up his ears from the
! fl L I
playing such mad pranks with the braycst
heart i'll Chrstcndom. that it iluttrrcd with
the excess OF a ncw-iuund happiness -
Washington Irving says: I'VE are not
informed whether Washington had met
with her before, probably not during her
| widowhood. We have shown that with
/ all his gravity and reserve, he was quick,
/ susceptible To female charms, and they
/ may have had a greater effect upon him
when thus casually encountered. At any
rate, his heart appcars to have been taken
by surprise"
Washington spent some time in viii
/ liamshurg, aud had frequent opportunity
/ to visit Mrs Custis. who resided at the
/ White House. Mr. Irving thinks he hur-
ried up the business. He says Wash
ington's time for courtship was brief. Mi
litary duties called him back almost immc-
w " ibN4ltSAtls bNV llC lSsNttAl ei''N!N'
. he leave the matter in suspense, some more
enterprisins rival might supplant him dur
ing his absence. as in the case of Miss Phi
lips, in New York. lie improved, there
fore, his brief opportunity to the utmost
The blooming widow had many suitOrs, but
! Washington was blessed with that rcnowu
so ennoblinS in the sight of woman. In a
word, before they separated they mutually
plighted their faith, and their marriage
was to take place as soon as the campaign
of Fort Duquesne was at an end"
Washington had showed the diflidence
of love, aud suffering by it; now he exhib'
its the heroism of love.
About year and half after their first
interview, Mrs. Martha Curtis became Mrs
Martha Washington. They were married
at the White House. the residence of the
bride, January q, l7jS.
The marriage was one of uncommon
splendor; the wealthy, the gay and thu
fashionable were there in crowds What
a splendid bridegroom What beautiful
bride
They were not only married at the