The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-07-06

>. HE AFFAIR was quite little comedy. in
some aspects, and ended, as all comedies
should, with everybody made happy.
"Belinda" had been married many years,
and her old admirer was approaching
thirty, when he met with young LADY, Of
twenty-five who produced a strong i'm
preston upon him. She was a little
above the medium height, slender, but
elegantly formed. A fair completion.
with delicate tint of the rose, large hazel
eyes, full Of life and feeling, and luxuriant
hair of a rich soft auburn, formed COM
bination of attractions which was eminent
ly calculated to move the heart of a youth
full bachelor. In addition to all this the
lady was admirably graceful; she rode,
danced and moved with elegant ease, and
sang and played on the harpsichord very
sweetly. Add still to these accomplish
ments the possession of excellent good
sense, very considerable cultivation, a
warm heart, and considerable fortune,
and it will not be difficult to understand
how the youthful Mr.. Jefferson came to
visit very frequently at the lady's resi-
dence in the county of Charles City. 1t
was called "The Forest" and the name
of the lady was Mrs. Mary Shelton. She
was a daughter of John Wayles, an emi-
nent lawyer, and had married, in her sew
entoenth year, Mr.. Bathurst SHELTON, who,
dying in 176S, left his young wife at nine
teen. AS the three years OF mourning be-
gan to expire the beautiful young lady
found herself besieged at 1.-THE Eorest''
were favorites with the fair Mrs. Skel-
ton, of whom Mr.. Thomas Jefferson,
Yves one. The tradition runs that the
nCIn SNffh n r.
either by the musical accomplishments of
the young counselor or by the fears of his
opponents. The tale is differently re-
lated. One version is that the two unfor-
tunate gentlemen encountered each other
on Mrs. Skeletons doorstep, but hearing
Jetterson's violin and voice accompany
ing the lady in pathetic song, gave up
the contest thenceforth and retired with
out entering, convinced that the affair
was beyond their control. The other sto-
~ is that all three met at the door, and
agreed that they would take their turns.
Jefferson entered first, and the tones of
the lady in singing with her companion
deprived the listeners OF all hope. How
ever this may be, it is certain that the
beautiful widow consented to become Mrs.
Jefferson; and on the LIST day of January,
Forest Friends and kindred assembled
from far and near; there was frolicking
and dancing after the abundant old fash.
iol; and we find from the bridegroom's
note book that the servants and fddlers
received fees from his especial pocket.
1t showed without, but within all was
nirth aud enjoyment, in the light and
warmth OF the great log fires, roaring in
honor OF the occasion. Soon after the
performance of the ceremony, the BRIDE
groom and his bride set out in their car
rage for Monticello" where Jefferson
had commenced building in 1863, just
before the destruction by fire of his
patrimonial house of Shadwell."
The journey was not to end without
adventures. As they advanced to-
ward the mountains, the snow in
creased in depth, and finally they
were compelled to leave the carriage
and proceed upon their way on horseback.
Stopping to rest at Blenheim," the seat
OF Col. Carter, where they found, how
ever, no one but an overseer, they left it
at sunset, resolutely bent upon reaching
Monticello that night. 1t was eight miles
distant, and the road, which was rather a
mountain bridle-path thin an honest
highway, was cuCuIuDelcO WIN snow
three feet deep. We may fancy the SEN
sation of the newly-wedded bride at the
chill appearance Of the desolate landscape
as she passed along through the snow ;
but she was awoman of courage and good
sense, and did not care for inconvenience.
1t was late when they arrived, and cheer
less reception awaited them-or rather
there was no reception at all. The fires
were all out, the servants had all gone to
bed, and the place was as dark and silent
as the grave. Conducting his wife to the
little pavilion, which was the only part Of
the house habitable at the time, Jefferson
proceeded to kindle fire and do the
honors. On shelf behind some books
part of bottle Of wine was discovered
and this formed the supper of the bride.
groom and the bride. Far from being an
noyed or discounted by their reception
however, it only served for topic Of jes
and laughter. The young lady was as
light-hearted as bird, and sent her cleal
voice ringing through the dreary little
pavilion as gaily as she had ever done in
the cheerful drawing-room of "The For
est" and thus the long hours of the win
ter night fled away like minutes, winged
with laughter, merriment and song
Har1,er's Magazine for july.