The Van Buren press., 1876-07-04
w ashington's Love Letters.


George Washington Blacksteck is 4
man about twenty two a patriot, and .
worshipef of the man who became the
father of this part Of the continent He
easily became infused with the Ccntenni-
nj spirit. and organised Centennial club
in his village
The other day a sleek. looking man
stepped into Blackstock's store, and ask
cd for the proprietor
Il am he," said George Washington
Blackstoek.
"The President Of the Centrnni,l
Club p
Yes, sir"
"Gan | speak to you privately! p
Certainly, sir, this way to my desk,
sir
When the two had reached the desk.
the man unlocked a small va!ise, and
drew forth package Of dingy-looking
documents
Sir sail he, g my name ia Custis.
You know that Washington married into
the Custis family Well, before he mar,
ricd Martha Custis. he wrote her good
many letters. which are here"
Blaekstoek opened his eyes and star.
ted.
" What. sir9'
"These are the identical letters
"You don't mean to say that these are
George Washington's love letters r liz.
quired Blaekstoek.
u dontmean to say anything else"
replied the man blandly Look here"
and he opehed one of the letters. See
the well known le'ters--tha initials. /
mean--of the immortal Warrington.
Listen to this postscript; Dearest Mar,
ha. when you are married, you shall not
forget the brave Custis whom you have
loved There, that is Washington's soul
speaking
. But--bnt-~'
mo butts, my dear Blaekstock, the
sight Of these dear old letters is enough
to make patriot Gil up, and l hate to
part with them
care they for salef'
!. /" Yes never expected to part with
them but the fact is that | am obliged
to. l have clnng to them through thick
and thin, but man must have MONEY.
carried for twenty five years"
"What are they worth asked bisck.
stock, eagerly
What are they worth T" exclaimed the
man. Why, sir. the Centennial Com.
missioncrs would give me e50,OCO for
them; they are worth their weight in
gold, but must sell them now. Give
me two hundred dollars, and take the
valuable relies"
Blacks,ock thought two hundred dol
lars for Washington's love letters, these
Centennial times. was not much, and no
went to his safe and drew out the whole
amount.
GOOD bye, old letters" SAID the msn
m ournfully. "May the world never
that Jehcsephat Cus,is was forced to do
this deed Blackstock. never, never
breathe aloud my baseness.
Blackstoek said never" and wens
home with the letters, he wanted to
show Mrs Blackstock the prizes, but she
was absent, therefore he tucked the let
ters away in drawer, AMI returned to
the store
BY .and-hy the hour Of tea saw him
leave his desk and hurry down the
street.
Mrs. b. was still absent, and the kitch-
en- was cold, What could it all mean
She had never failed before, and he wss
resolving to look over the new purchase
until Mary's return, when his eye caught
81 hit of piece of paper lying on the t.
bic. The next moment he had read It,
and his face was white rs ashes.
BLAcKsTooK My dream Is broken.
You may go to the "dearest Martha,
of those letters in your bureau drswcr.
and I will go~--l don't know where. q.
ungrateful man l have never shared
your love; but that mink, whose name
, lis Custis has won it. Go to her. and be
dear &C. w" the rest OF your deceiving
life. Never cross my path again, and LEI
; your "dearest Martha keep her dis.
tance.
YouE UNLovEp WIFE.
Thus read the terrible letter, and
Blackstoek tainted.
When he cage to reud the letters, he
discovered that they were forgeries. mol
worth cent, and then he said some
words that might be spelled with long
: dashes.
The swinller was out of his reach, and
; his wife has not returned. Biackstocl
= has resigned the Presidency OF the Cen
,ennial Club, and is looking for th'
!, scoundrel who peddes Wash'ngton'
;, love-letters.