Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1883-03-29

Looking over some old letters the other
lay I found one which brought to my mind
a pleasant experience of my youth. 1t was
from Washington Irving to dear kinsman
IF mine, and ran thus:
Sunnyside," Jan. 5, 1883.
"h Der H. Kmnedg; \ laconic, but
ycrv significant note, just received thro' the
Pos, Office. intimatcs that an important
event is about to take place in your family.
I feel assured that it will prove a happy one,
and that the man of Miss Sarah's choice
will be most acceptable son-in-law to you
and Mrs. Kennedy. Ny most heartfelt con
gratuations and good wishes to you all.
a was very sorry to learn some time
since, that you were much out Of health. /
hope YOU have quite recovered, and that
you will be able to enjoy heartily the we'd
ding festivities. Remember me most affect
.onately to Mrs. Cooke, who an, to'a, has
growing household
Il trust my dear little friend, Lizzie, still
keeps for ne a cherished place in. her heart.
al have not had a line from John since
he sailed for Europe, but presume he IS
knocking about foreign courts and cabinets,
and SO occupied by the affairs Of the great
world, as to have no time to bestow upon an
obsolete fellow, like myself who is doing
AWAY the remnant of bis days in sleepy
II icw'
"Give my aiIyctionate rcmembrances to
Mrs. Kennedy, and believe me ever, my
dear Mr.. Kennedy:
Most truly and heartily yours,
WAsHIxdroS IRVING.
.lndrc,g kennedy, Esq.
\ genial hearty letter, from genial
hearty man. don't know how much far
thcr back the friendship of these two men
dated, butthe first time ever saw them to-
-c,her. and the first time, also that | had
ever seen Mr.. Irving, was several years before
this letter was written, when they came to
my flthcr's house, to Pay their respects to
the widow and children of The author OF
Florence Vane." was little girl, but re-
member lust how Mr. Irving looked and how
tender he was in his ways to children. lie
and his two friends, tie Kennedy brothers,
gare riding through the lower Valley OF
Vireinia searching for material for his
Life of Washington" Lord Fairfax
place. "G4c,nway Court" was only a few
miles from our house, and this was where
Washington had stayed, when surveying
the lands of Lord Fairfax. There IS a
rrea, deal ofhistoric ground in the surround
iny country, and Mr.. Irving had been max
inr quite tour, ending, believe, with las
visit tous. / remember he seemed very
quiet gentleman, but his eyes looked SO
Kind and pleasant, and his face was so
Trustworthy. that / sidled up to him and
showed him a booI, was reading and enjoy
ing very much. It was poetry, and he
laughed and said something to the John
he alluded TO in his letter, about my being
q chip of the ed block" They ate their
luncheon with my mother, and then rode
away in the sunshine
I was grown girl almost, when next
saw that pleasant flce of Ir. Irying's. 1t
was on the occasion Of the marriage OF Mr.
Kennedy's daughter, the Mrs. Cooke he
speaks of with so much affection. They
had met in Washington, at the house OF
Mr.. John P. Kennedy, then Secretary o.
of the navy, himself an author of note, anc
an exceptionally charming man; and Mr..
irving admired andlikei Mary Kennedy
50 much. that when she returned to hei
home "Cassilis" they entered into 4 cor
respondence which lasted for many years
He was an honored guest at her wedding
and that was the last time he was ever a
her fathers house.
The "lttle friend Lizzie" to whom h'
alluded. was . grandchild Of Mr.. Kennedy
and one Of the enjoyments Of Cassilis,
during the twilight hours. was tc open al
the doors, ard by the light Of the CLOWNS
coal fires. march round and round in pro
cessior, each man armed with Q small child
ON whose little back he beat an accomPani
msnt to Il remarkable soar. called Bonn