The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-06-24
Ghe 8ulletin.
Jener~On's Marriage.

July.l
The affair was quite little comedy in
some respects, 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 impress
sion on him. She was a little above the
medium height, slender, but elegantly
formed. A fair complexion, with a deli
cate tint of the rose, large, hazel eyes, full
of lie and feeling, and luXuriant hair Of a
rich, soft auburn. formed combination Of
attractions which was cminent'y calculated
TO move the hesrt of youthful bachelor.
In addition to all this the lady was admira-
bly, graceful she rode, danced and moved
with ele yaDt ease, and sang and played on
the harpsichori very sweetly. Add still to
these accomplishments the possession Of ex-
cellent good sense, very considerable cult
walton, warm heart and a considerable
fortune. and it will not be difficult to under
stand how the youthful Mr.. jefferson came
to visit very frequently at the lady's resi-
dence. in the county OF Charlie. City. 1t
Was called the "Forest," and the name Of
the lady was Mrs. Martha SHELTON. She
was daughter of John Wayles, All eminent
lawyer and had married IN her seventeenth
year, Mr. Bsuthust SHELTON, who, dying
in l5Gs, left his young wife a widow at nine
teen. A. the three year, of the mourning
began TO expire, the beautiful young lady
found herself besieged at the "foresti by
nomerous visitors. OF these, three were
iayorites OF the fair Mr-. SHELTON, OF whom
Sir. Thomas jefferson was one. The tradi-
ton runs that the pretentions of the rivals
were decided either by the musical accom-
pl-hinents Of the young cOuncelOr or by the
fears Of his opponents. rhe tale is uiaer-
emily related. One version is that the two
unfortunate gentlemen encountered each
other on Mrs. Skeletons door step, but
hearing JeffersJn's violin and voice accom-
panying the lady in a pathetic song, gave
up the contest thenceiorth and retired with.
out ente iLg, convinced that the affair was
beyond their control. The other story Is
that all three met al the door, and agreed
that they would take their turns. Jrfier-
son entered first, and the tones of the lady
in singing with her champion deprived the
listeners of all hope. However this may be,
it is certain that the beautiful widow con-
,ented to become Mrs. Jefferson F; and On
the first day OF January, lI72, there was a
great festival at the "Fore.t." Friends and
kindred assembled from far and near
there WAS irolieking and dancing after the
abundant old fashion, and we lind from the
bridegroom's notebook that the servants
| aud dddlers re ,eived fees from bis espe cial
| pocket. II showed without, but within all
was inirth and enjoyment, in the light and
warmth OF the great los tire, roaring in
| honor Of the occasion. Soon after the per-
| Torrance ofthe ceremony, the bride groom
| and his bride set out in their carriage for
| Monte clio" where Jefferson had COM
| menccd building in 1860, Just before the
| destruction 10y fire of his patrimonia house
| of "Shadwell. The journey was not 10
cBd without adventures. ~ they advanced
toward the mountains the snow increased
in depth, and finally they were compe led to
leave the carrisge. aud proceed upon their
way upon horseback, Stopping to rest at
"Ble nheim," the seat Of Col. Cart T, where
they found however, no one but an over
seer, they left ii at sunrise, resoluteiy bent
upon reaching Monticello that night. 1t
| was eight mics distant and the road, which
was rather a mountain brdle-path than an
| honest highway, was enclmbered with
| snow three feet deep. We may fancy TIL
sensations OF the newly welded bride at
tie appearance OF the desolate landscape as
| she pissed along through the snow, b 1t
| She was woman of courage and good
| sense, and did Lo! care for inconvenience.
| II was late when they arrived, aud Il cheer
| less reception awaited them-or rather
| there was no reception al al. The Tires
| were all out. the servants had gone to bed.
| and the place was a. dark and silent a. 4
| grave. Conducting his wife TO the little
! pavilion, which was the only part OF the
| house habitable at the time, JEFF rson pr -
| ceedcd 10 kindle the fire and do the honorS.
| On a shelf behind some books part of bot
| tie of wine was discoy cred; aud this formed
| the supper Of the bridegroom and the bride.
| Far from being annoyed or discounted by
| their reception, however, IL ohIy served lor
a topic of jest and laughter. Tie young
lady was as light hearted as a bird aud sent
| her clear voice ringing through the dreary
| little pavilion as gayly as she had ever done
| in the cheerful drawing room of the For
est - and thus the long hours OF the winter
night lied away like minutes, winged with
| laughter, merriment and song.
| T.. r. INuukel's Bitter Wine OF Iron