West-Jersey pioneer., 1872-03-22

he could, and one day the secretary came
in late, and again he laid it to his watch
Washington said to him: "Ono Of two
things must take place Immediately; you
must get new watch, or | must get a
new secretary"
Washington entered the house, and
was introduced to several young ladies;
and. among others, beautiful young
widow Washington was tall young
man, majestic in person, hero, with his
honors thick upon him. His noble form
possessed all the grace Of the scul ptor;
his limbs were Of the manifest proper
tions. He had noble forehead. His
hair was dark brown, his eyes were blue,
and countepance full of intelligence and
benignity. Washington 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 Cam
bridge, the gifted wife of John Adams,
in letter to her husband, thus described
him: Dignity, ease and complacency,
the gentleman and the scholar look, agree
ably blended with him Modesty marks
every line and teatuse of his face Those
words of Dryden Instantly occurred to
me:
Mark his majestic fabric He's a temple
Sacred by birth and built by hands devine;
His souls 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 Mr.. Chamberlayne's par
lor. The young widow was Mrs Martha
Custus. She belonged to one of the first
families in Virginia, and her original
name was cambridge. Martha was a
beautiful girl, and at the early age of sew.
enteen was married to Colouel John Parke
Gusts, gentleman 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 his wife
widow at the early age of twenty five.
Notwithstanding her bereavement, Mrs.
Custis retained her beauty unimpaired,
and was left one of the wealthiest widows
in Virginia. All her bioeraphers repre-
sent her as remarkably handsome. Her
portrait, taken over hundred years ago,
when she was widow, by the artist,
Woolaston, represent her beautiful Null
titudes have looked upon the pictures ia
ken from the painting with admiration,
aud have exclaimed, "Oh, what beauty -
Martha was short, plump, with dark
eyes, beautiful as the hues of the rain
bow, and her hair was dark and hand
some. Her form. though small, was Full
round aud splenddly developed. She was
then charming young widow, fresh and
fragrant as the rose, and as gentle as a
summer breeze Intelligence was depict
ed in her noble features, aud her whole
appearance was that of peculiar lowell
ness Such was Mrs. Martha Custis wher
Washington was introduced to her.
Their meeting, though unexpected
was to both of them one of inexpressible
interest, as we'll as of exquisite joy. Ii
was on important era in their history, fol
it had great influence in shaping theil
future destiny Washington was at onc'
captivated, charmed, thrilled by the rare
beauty and surprising loyeliness of thu
fascinating young widow. He gazed up
Oh her with admiration and delight; ant
can we wonder the strange passion 0
| love- again awoke in his bosom, and sh,
| responded to it with modest blush, as
smile of unu.terabe sweetness irradiatet
her countenance. Washington aud tn
beautiful yous widow there formed
mutual admiration society, and they botl
| became members of 1T, as love Responded
to 1--we, their hearts not only beat in uni
sen with each other, but like kindre'
drops wrre mingled into one. This wa
indeed surprise, uml they aoere bot
smitten at the ssnae time.
We will return for m ament to Wash
ing,on's colored servant Bishop, whom
he left at the gate with the horses read
for his master to pursue his journey afte
dinuer He wondered at his master
delay, for he had never known him be
hind the time on any other occasion
Hour after hour passed away, and tn
sun went down behind the western hill.
and the shadows of evening gathere
around them. The horses were ordere
to be put up in the stable. Washingto
was III no hurry. He spent that nigh
in the parlor with the blooming youn
widow. admiring her, and she admirin
him; and the night glded swiftly o'e
their heads, made up of innocense an
love, as they talked of love, and love af
fairs, and the sun rose in the east, an
Washing gton was in no haste the morn
ing passed away, and the sun was far u
in the heavens when he left that house
with its overwhelming attractions, as re
luctantiy as Adam left paradise.
Bishop had waited, and marvelled q
the delay of his master. "Ah, Bishop,
says a fair writer describing the occur
renee, ''thcre was All urchin in the draw
ing-room more powerful than Kin
George and all his governors! Subtle a
a sphynx, he had hidden the importan
dispatches from the soldiers sight, shu
up his ears from the summons of the tel
tale clock, and was playing such ma
pranks with the bravest heart in Chris
tendon, that it huttered with the exces
of new.found happiness
Washington Irving says: "We are nc
informed whether Washington had me
with her before, probably not during he
widowhood. We have shown that wit
, all his gravity and reserve, he was quicl
ly susceptible TO female charms, and the
may have had greater effect upon hi
when thus casually encountered Atan
rate, this heart appears to have been tt
ken by surprise"
4 Washington spent some time in WI
liamsburg, and had frequent opportunit
TO visit Mrs Custis, who resided at tn
White House Mr. Irving thinks b
hurried up the business. lie says:
"Washingtons time for courtship wi
brief. Military duties called him bac
almost Immediately to Winchester, but
feared, should he leave the matter in su
pense, some more enterprising, rival migt
supplant him during his absence, as
the case Of Miss Phillipse, IN New Yorl