Nebraska advertiser., 1873-04-24
WASHIHGTON'S FIRST LOVE.


imposing mansion, remarkable for it:
age and the historic association,
which cluster around its venerable
walls. Under its hOspitable roof the
great Washington found social pleas
uTe and bountiful entertainment more
than a hundred years ago; later, ss
the head Of American armies, he
gathered his STAG around him here
and directed the movements Of pstri-
otic sOldieEy. The great American
millionaire, John Jacob AstoT, subse-
guently possessed il, succeeded In
time by Aaron Burr and Madame Ju-
mel, and more recently IL has been
the object for which rival claimant.
: have fought and the legal welfare ha-
been as hOtly contested as the mOre
sanguinary conflicts carried on around
it by contending warriors nearly q
century ago.
That, however, which imparts the
chief interes: 10 this ancient resi-
dence, is the fact that il was once the
abode Of Mary Phlllip5, the beaute.
Gus damsel 20 whom the unromantiC
Washington lost his heart.
History records how the daughter
OF the great Napoleon's lsndlady re-
jected the suit Of the unknown lieu
tenant, and thus failed 10 become En-
press of France; how the French
peasant girl refused BeTnadO.te. and
thereby lost the crown of Sweden
and how New Jersey girl, by jilting
the penniless wandereF from France,
failed to enjoy imperial honor A. the
wife of the Emperor Louis Napoleon.
We now propose 10 tell how Mary
Phillips, by rejecting George Wash
ington, lost the exalted station which
Martha Washington so hOuorably
filed.
In February, 1855, Colonel George
Washington, accompanied by two
aides-de-camp, left his residence at
Mount Vernon, on horseback. on a
journey TO Boston, to confer with
Gensral Shirley, concerning military
matters.
On reaching New York. he called at
the house of Beverly Robinson, an
old army friend, who had served with
him under Braddock. Col. Robinson,
wishing 10 make the visit pleasant 10
his guest, had invited few friends To
add to the social attractions Of his
home. Among those inv tied was
Mary Phillips, a sister Of Mrs. Robin
son. She was then about eighteen
years Of age, bewitchingly beautiful
with form OF rare grace and perfec-
tiOn. brilliant accomplishments. and
lively and vivaciOus In disposition
She was likewise an heiress.
The young Virginia Colonel. fresh
from the rHral society of Mount Yer
non and the tolls Of the backwoOds
campaign, was Immediately charmed
by this witching vision of Ioveliness
and gaiety. farming away from ev-
cry other attraction, he spent much Of
his time In her society. and the walks,
talks, and rides in which they in
dulged brought upon them the rail
lery Of their associates. In this way
the few days that Washington had
intended TO remain passed, but still
he fingered, charmed by the magic
spell of the fair chaTmer.
1t was the first time in the history
of his mature life that the sly Cupid
had hurledd his dart at the young
Colonel, and the arrow had sunk
deep into his heart. DAYS went by
almost unnoticed, until week had
been wTsted in these enjOyments, and
the infatuated man was forced 10 tear
himself away and proceed TO Boston
They parted with an engagement on
his part to call again on his return.
and IL is hardly necessary e. say that
he was true to his promise.
Nearly another week was now pass
ed under the hOspitable roof of his
old friend, and in the society Of his
relative. But the urgency
of military engagements forced his
return TO Virginia, and George Wash !
ington and Mary Phillips parted with
regrets, TO meet no more for
nearly a quarter of a century, when I
one was the great leader of the pHtri- /
ot armies and the other the wife of
Colonel, fighting his own country
men, in the service Of his King.
There Is nothing to prove that |
Washington ever made formal ten |
der of his hand, or that Miss Phillips 1
ever refused him. Letters and mem I
orandums found among Washington's /
private papers show that their init /
from him q declaration of love. /
though they each understood that |
such an avowal was imminent.
When Washington departed he
made coufidsnt of his old army
friend, Colonel Robinson, and he was
20 convey 70 his brilliant Sis
hint Of the avowaI, which
his extreme delicscy more than any
thing else, held back when he wac in
her society.
In the management Of this business
exhibited less than bis
usual sagscity. y young damsel, in
her first affair of the heart, does not
like 10 have love made by proxy. SO
she listened with impatience and NOR
titcation to the protestations uttered
by her brother-in-law, when, had
they been made by her admirer in
person, with the hesitancy and secre-
cy which usually attends such COM
she might have inclined
a willing ear. Robinson made little
progress, and wrote to Washington |,
soon after, urging him TO come on and
press his suit in person. 4 reply was
sent pleading urgent business as a rea-
son for postponement: but he soon
another earnest letter from
stating that Roger Morris.
q rich and accomplished gentleman.
had obtained the ear OF the tickle girl |
and was filling IL with tales of ro-
nance, poetry and love, slowly and
effscing the memory of the
plain Virginia Colonel If any ans
wer was returned to this communi ica-
ton, It's tenor Is not known: il is
probable. however, that his own pas .
sion had began to cool. His pride ,
may have been touched by the pref
erence shown another, and he resolv- +,
ed no longer TO dispute the prize. So I
Mary Phillips become Mrs. Roger
MOTIFS, and the elegant mansion In I
which she reigned, the beauteous
queen of fashion and fortune is vet ,
standing, not far from Croton Aaue,
duct.
The unsuccessful suitor soon after
met the charming Widow Parke. and ..
she became his wife and the mistress :
of Mount Vernon.
There was no visible sign that eth ,