Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-01-11
ROCKVILLE FRIDAY MORNING JANUARY H. 1878.

richness which ever made him the centre
of attraction in private circles as we'll as
upon public occasions. 1t was in the
library of Mr.. Custis where Gen. La
fayette, whilst the guest Of the nation
in 1924, spent every leisure moment he
could command.
Mr.. and Mrs Custis we're unfortunate
with their children. Out of four daught-
ers born to them only one survived the
tender years of infancy Mary Ann
Randolph Gusts. The only child living,
she became at once tho anxious solicit
tude of devoted parents (; every wish was
granted where it did not conflict with her
health; every thought was anticipated
which would conduce to her happiness
and pleasure Her education was COM
menced, continued and completed under
the direction Of her pious mother, assisted
by the most accomplished private tutors
that could be found The Rev. Dr..
Gurley, a distinguished Presbyterian d.
vine, was for long time employed by
Mrs. Gusts in this capacity
From conversation with near member
of the family (to whom am much in
debted for interesting matter and dates
in connection with Arington,) as well
as from steel engraving taken from
painting by the celebrated artist, West,
which have recently seen, Mary Gusts
was not what might be termed beautiful.
The contour of her face whilst pleasing,
was irregular, but indicated great force
of character and benevolcnce. In con-
vcrsaton she is represented to have been
exceedingly fascinating and agreeable,
and when animated, her graceful figure
with her profusion of curls falling over
her shoulders like the ripples of sunshine
gave her u dignifed and attractive APP
pearance.
In 1911 Henry Lee "a distinguished
officer of the Revolution and afterwards
Governor of Virginia, removed to Alex
andria from Westmoreland county,
for the better education of his chill
dren, one of whom was Robert H.
Lee, afterwards Col. Lee of the United
States Army, and later, Gen. in Chief
of the Confederate Army.
Henry Lee was connected with the
Gusts family through the Randolphs,
and after his removal to Alexandria he
and his family we're the constant and
welcome visitors at Arlington. 1t was
upon one of these occasions that Robert
4. Lee and Mary Gusts, whilst children,
met for the first time, and where upon the
continual interchange of visits between
these two distinguished families they
soon became interested in each other as
fplaymates.
As time developed their respective
J characters and their intimacy increased
a congcniality of sentiment, interest and
position warped them into confidential
friendship
1t was then and there that the ro.
nance of their lives kindled its first
Pickering rays-tbey little dreamed in
those early days of friendship as they
, stood under the shadows of those OLD
/ oak5 or sauntered idly through tho groves
or seated on the banks of some silver
, J stream listening to its lay, that tbeil
t hearts were slowly drifting towards eac!
) other; they little thought as in thei
evening walks or twilight musings, tina
9 cord was being secretly formed whicl
! would eventually unite their earthly des
9 TIMES; they little knew, as the soft gusl
of the spring and summer morning founC
= them on the BOSOM of the Potomac 60
r ing carelessly with the stream or tide
5 that deep down in some soft corner Of thei
hearts there was little smothcred feel
j ing which would at no distant day caiu
a stronger, mightier and holier anchor
A age than friendship could afford.
At the time to which | have just re
5 ferred, young Lee was closing an impor
tant course of study under the tutelag,
of the late Benjamin Hallowell, Esq
and shortly afterwards, when but IL year
of age, in the year 1925, first undergoing
a thorough and rigid examination. we dnc
him deep in his studies at West Point
and Mary Gusts midst the retirement o
Arlington.
Nothing of more than ordinary inter
est transpired at Arlington during Leo
collegiate course at West Point. Mr.
Gusts still occupied much of his time il
the Improvement and decoration Of biz
fertile and beautiful estate, whilst BIZ
cold Virginia" hospitality, perhaps tb,
most noted 10 The ancient commoAwealt
was shared by the iIlustrious and dis
tinguishcd in the country. Mary Gus
It's continued TO be the care as she was tn,
pride aud the joy Of the household ---ant
as her views enlarged and expanded
partaking as it were Of the beauty anC
grandeur Of the great volume of nature
which ever lay out open before her, and
her mind ripenod under the skillful cul.
ture Of her corps Of private tutors, she
added much to that charming aud intel.
lectual circle and brilliant assemblagei
for which Arlington was at one time 50
much famed.
Lee graduated at the expiration Of
four years, 10 June 1929, with marked
distinction, being second in his class,
was given the rank Of Lieutenant and
assigned 10 the engineer corps. llay-
ing had the misfortune to lose bis father
when but eleven years Of sge. he had,
up TO the period when be entered West
Point, never been separated from bis
mother for more than few days at a
time. The younges, child, be had ever
been the care OF his mother, and through
bis entire life he often remarked that
whatever Of success had attended hin. he
owed 10 her pious adnonitions and care
/ fuI training Embncd with such deyO,