Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-01-18

tudb upUu tHc eNculuS VI Juio uuy,
Lieut.. Lee, of the United States Army,
and Miss Mary GUSTS, the only daughter
of George Washington Parkc Gusts,
of Arlington. Virginia, we're to be mar
ried, she wondered if God would con-
tinue to shower his blessings and if she
had been sufficiently grateful for the
favors she had received at His hand. Well
might she marvel and ask herself these
questions as she dwet upon the unkroken
sunshine of her life, for gratitude is the
first impulse of mind that is able to
conceive and a heart that can feel. Mary
Custis possessed to perfection this noble
sentiment of the mind and heart From
her cradle, in the arms or at the knees
of her mother, or in their evening walks,
she had been taught the Importance of
submission and gratitude to divine will.
as did she catch the glow of that fcrvid
piety, which was the most charming
trait of her character, and which in the
darkest hours of her after life, was her
solace and comfort, as it was in the hour
of death her brightest hope.
Leaving Miss Gusts to her own medi-
tations, let us hasten on with our de-
scription of Arlington upon day so
conspicuously memorable in its history
Whilst all nature seemed animated
under its brightest livery, so it was with
the Arlington household. The mansion
itself, as though partaking of the spirit
which surrounded it, appeared more
stately and imposing than ever. It's
interior, under the care and supervision
of Mrs. GUSTS, wore an exquisite air Of
ease, elegance and refinement, there was
no surplus of modern gingerbread furni-
turo numbering the rooms and halls, but
only such articles as were actually re-
quired for comfort, and each massive
and Baronial in style. Upon the walls
of the spacious drawing rooms hung the
portraits of Gen Washington. Mrs.
Washington, Mr. and Mrs. Gusts and
their daughter--the productions of emf
nent old masters-whilst in the library
were to be seen paintings representing
the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Ger
mantown and Monmouth, Washington
at Yorktown, and the Surrender at
Yorktown, all painted by Mr.. Gusts
during his idle moments. The servants
all of whom had been reared by Mr.
GUSTS, were neatly and plainly dressed
and each educated for their respective
duty and position.
AS it was generally known tina
Lieut.. Lee and Miss Gusts were to b,
married upon this day, so also wa
it known, that in accordance with thu
wish of Mrs. GUSTS, only the relative
and connections of the contracting par
ties would be invited to witness the nup
tails
Early in the forenoon the guests, who
had stopped over the previous nigh
either at Washington or Alexandria, be
gan to arrive; and as each family equip
age, with its respective coat of arms ,drov
up in front of the portico, it was met b,
the head of the family servants, its oc
cupants assisted out and conducted t.
the drawing-room, where they were re-
ceived by Mr.. and Mrs. Gusts, and lon,
before the shades Of evening had fallel
far down the hills, there were assembled il
the halls of Arlington one of the mos
distinguished family gatherings that ha'
ever come together at one time upon TIL
continent of America, numbering anon,
the list the names of the Custises, Lees
Calyerts, Randolphs, CAROLS and Tuck
ers.
Lieut.. Lee with bis attendants, al
brother officers, did not arrive until late
IN the evening, and strange to say, tina
whilst tbs morning had opened, as w
have already described 80 calm and beau
tiful, yet they drove up to Arlington il
one of the most terrific thunderstorm
ever before known to have visited tina
section of the country. The decp-tonet
thunder rolled and reverberated from bill
to hill. whilst through the lurid glare q
the lightning. there could be seen mani
Of the old trees, which had successfully
defied the tempests of centuries, nos'
breaking and bending beneath the fury
of the storm, and heard bowling snd
Kissing like maddencd and frenzied ie-
mons. To the superstitious mind, ihis
scene may have appeared as a glony
foreboding.
From a description Of Lieut.. Ices
personal appearance upon the occasRn OF
his marriage, as given me by a ladJwho
was present, he must have been sferb-
ly handsome. Dressed in full pufDrm,
his splendid face, classic featured mas
siye forehead dark halle eyes, gr;efully
arched eyebrows, delicate moS'tache,
flowing black hair, added TO aaltless
physique, made him Ct study ~ some
Grecian or Italian sculptor.
Soon after the arrival Of Lat. Lee,
The bridal party assembled in 10 Spacious
ball above stairs and were segrally en-
gagged IN conversation, whea the an
nonncement was made that te minister,
who had been detained by reison Of the
storm, had arrived and VS. awaiting
their pleasure. In few aoments all
was IN readiness, and the PARTIES with
their attendants, proceeded w Mr.. and
Mrs. Gusts, catered the hfge parloFs,
where the marriage cerep0uy was per-
formed by Rev Dr. Keiih, President Of
The Theological Seminary pear Alexan-
dria.
Looking back upon tbf beautiful and
interesting scene, when ut. X. u. Lee
and Miss Mary Gusts pre- pronounced
man and wife, and glancfg a, their long
and eyeutful voyage Tough life, We
can fully realize that fnliful sentiment
embodied IN those linabf Lalla Rock