San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-10-26

called the white House," was riding
out one morning, when he met coming
from the northward young gentleman
of military appearance and excellently
mounted, accompanied by n gaunt old
servant or sergeant, who rode respect
fully few PAGES behind his master
The new conner was Col. George Wash
ington, on his way from Winchester to
Williamsburg, andhis attendant Bishop,
formerly Braddock's body servant, now
his own. ..,. ...
Washington was twenty-six at that
time, and was n young man of great Sc
dateness and dignity. He was in chief
command of the frontier, and saw or
thought little of the fair sex. But on
this spring morning of 1853, his slime
had come"
Mr.. Gusts greeted him and invited
him to stop at the White House. He
would do so with pleasure, but it would
be for half an hour only. His business
was pressing; he must hasten on to see
his excellency at Williamsburg. And
conversing they rode back and reached
the White House. Here Washington
dismounted and delivered his horse to
Bishop, with orders to await him there;
he would continue his journey in half
an hour. Bishop saluted gravely, with
hand raised to his hat; his master en-
tered the house, and the half hour pas
sed, the old servant waiting patiently.
His master did not, however, make
his appearance. The event was I'M
heard of; Col. Washington was the
soul of punctuality; he was on pressing
; public business; what could be the
} meaning of this strange and rnwonted
} delay?
} An hour passed--two hours passed.
Col. Washington did not reappear.
But servant came out and delivered
| an order from him to the motionless old
body-gnard. He would conduct the
horses to the stables; his master would
dine and would possibly spend the
, night with Mr.. Gusts. Bishop obeyed
, the world was clearly coming to an
| end-and Col. Washington was the
guest of the owner of the White House.
, On the next morning Bishop, in ODE
| dience to orders to that effect, saddled
= the horses and waited before the door
: for the colonel, who designed setting
out Immediately. An hour passed; the
colonel did not appear. Two hours Of
terward there were still no signs of him.
Then the servant came again and direct
ed the horses to be led back ; Col Wash
ington would remain to dinner and then
continue his journey.
{ The day was far spent when the
young soldier made his appearance and
vaulted into the saddle. Tall, vigorous,
graceful, and with certain loftiness of
port, even then distinguishable, he was
gallant looking cavalier-one whom
any woman might admire.
One was gazing at him through the
Window young lady of about his own
age, with rosy cheeks, bright eyes, hair
carried back from the forehead, and a
neck resembling snow, above the square
cut bodice. The young colonel refined
his high-spirited horse, nearly throwing
him upon his launches, and made a
, courteous salute with his right hand, Git
was nearly the attitude of a bronze stat
, lie of him afterward,) and galloped
+ away, thinking probably of the bright
eyes and lips.
, Colonel George Washington, of
, Mount Vernon" had seen for the first
! time Mrs. Martha Gusts, the beautiful
young widow, who year after, was to
become his wife.
Tradition relates that the ceremony
took place in st. Peters church, which
we have referred to III the beginning
of the sketch. The scene was brilliant
one, and may interest the reader. 1t
was in January, 1853. The Rev. DIR.
Mossom, parson of the parish, attended
in full canonicals, and the pair advanced,
followed by bevy of beauties and
groomsmen. Washington was clad in a
suit of blue and silver, lined with red
silk: his waistcoat was embr, i'll red