New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-27
A GOLDEN WEDDING.


ton there were sensible women who were pos
sessed of an admirable beauty and who were
glad they had it. In Oh old parlor in larry
town Ga quiet Pennsylvania village), there
still hangs portrait by Inman of Rachel
Carey, of whom the artist said hers was the
most rare and fine face he had ever seen. In
the village. however she was not regarded ~
so handsome woman as the Squire's daugh-
ter. whose eyes were black as sloes, and
whose cheeks wcro like spice pinks. The
Careys too, being near kinsfolk Oh Thomas
Jefferson, were held to be of better blood
than their neighbOrs, and were paid homage
as only inferior classes in village know
how to yield Difference to the Brahmlns
among them. Her mother took Rachel to the
sewing-b and "tea assemblies" OF tho
countryside but only the young men of GER
tain families presumed to ask her hand IN
dance. The Careys were not rich. liz re-
quired a good deal of saving to buy and lay
by tho two dozen silver spoons OF each kind
which were to be part of her wedding outnt;
for rs was customary, as soon as the girl was
born this outfit took its place in the family
plans. Madam Carey put aside her lace cuffs,
and emcralds set in guinea gold and as soon
as Rachel was fifteen, being then most eX-
pert needlewOnan, webs OF fine homespun
linen were given her which she embroidered
and made up into underclOthing for the time
when she should be bride. There were no
balls, no lectures no morning paper then with
its record of news and crime to furnish her
with thought and when we remember how
much of her youth was spent in quiet sewing
-,
life to come, we do not wonder that when
marriage came at last she was most true
wife and tender mother.
1t was, however, usual for women to be 80
then. She was just eighteen when Israel
Newbold asked her in marriage; young
counselor law, of good family, and to
whose credit 1t was known that he had been
approached by Burr (while he was in Western
PENNSYLVANIA and had Indignantly refused
him his aid or that of his family. The young
people saw each other only in the presence OF
others; their letters were studied and formal;
tho engagement was kept secret, as was the
custom. But love was rs strong and fiery
then as now, and burned all the clearer
because hidden under modest reserve. One
can but envy them the delicious thrill OF their
sacred secret when their hands touched in the
stately quadrle or their eyes told the sweet
unspoken story. When Jack and Belle, having
flirted with and kissed half dozen other girls
and men, engage themselves nowadays between
the pauses in the waltz and HE away together
next morning to announce the fact to all their
acquaintances, the story does not seem to
be sweet at all. Israel and Rachel were mar
ried on Easter, 1922, and Israel took his bride
to Philadelphia spending month in crossing
the mountans), whore many assemblies were
given i'll her honor. Mr.. Jefferson met her
there and wrote to her father: my young
"kinswoman is shy as doe, but she has a
"rcady aud delicate wit when alone with
friend" She never conquered this shyness
when we knew her the pink blush would rise
to her wrnlled cheeks if she was forced to
speak before strangers. Her beauty was then
so marvellous that crowds followed her coach
in the streets, to the great wrath of her young
husband VINO had no mind to make his rose
common property; much indignation too was
expressed by her friends in tho city when it
was found that certain engravors had stolen
copy of her portrait for insertion in q Book
of the Year.
Israel Newb0ld became judge, and never
left the quiet country neighborhood. He was
stern man, who lived long enough to grow
cynical with time which rewarded cheating
and impudence rather than integrity and
honor. His wife concerned herself very little
with the times. She had family of eleven
children, and controlled household of many
servants In it was carried on the business of
farm, weaving, dairy work, the making of
clothes for the whole family. She personally
superintended not only all these works, and
the storing away of provisions, fruits meats
herbs, but the teaching of her boys and girls,
for whom she employed tutors and gov
ernosses. Modern instruction, she complained
was too wide and shallow; there was no thor
ough knowledge given of history, and accu-
rate English was seldom heard. Nothing
could be simpler or purer than her own use
of language, in her letters conversation
1t strengthened the effect which her delicate
face and always rich dainty dress had even
upon strangers who did not know her. A
curious part of that effect was that this woman
did not belong to society nor to the world
but to her husband and friends and children.
Her life was so filed with them, her great
household controlled with such wisdom and
order, her influence of strength and sweet
humanity uiHuscu suDlly through 80 HiaHY
hearts and lives that we did not complain
that there was no chance for her to become
public character. Her sons have grown up
honorable men, her daughters are faithful
happy wives. Her husband died few weeks
ago, just as their children were ready to cee-
brate their golden wedding, which would have
been on Easter day. After his death she
made no loud Outcry the love of husband
and wife had been sacred and wordless