The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-12
Washington's Courtship.

1Outn' 9 companion.
For years Washington was venerated, but not
known. The general sentiment was expressed
by the poet laureate Southey in 1914
where Washington hath left
HIS AWFUL MEMORY
A light for after years."
He is better known now than he was when the
line we have emphasized was written. and he is
more thoroughly appreciated. He has been
humanized and brought within the range of our
sympathy
While he was Major Washington the Governor
of Virginia sent him to transact business with
the Governor of Massachusetts, He stayed for
few days at New York. detained by the lovely
Mary Phillipse. While making up his mind to
propose to her, his companion. Major Morris of
fered his hand, and she accepted it,
Several years after he had thus illustrated
that faint heart never won fair lady" Colonel
Washington was on his way to transact bust
ness with the Governor and Council at Williams
burg.
Crossing the Psmunkey at Williams's ferry,
he was met as he landed by Major Chamber
Jayne, who pressed him to remain day or two
a: his house, which was near BY
Washington declined giving as excuse that
he was on his way to meet the Governor. AS the
young Colonel was about to ride on the Major
remarked that the most charming young widow
in all Virginia was then visiting him.
The young man consented to remain to din
ner. Bishop, his tall colored servant, was
ordered to stable the horses and to have them at
the house by certain hour in the afternoon.
Washington was presented to Mrs. Martha Gus
tis, one of the richest widows IN Virginia. and
took her out to dinner. Punctual to the minute,
Bishop led his masters horse to the front of the
house. He waited and waited puzzled at the
delay, the like of which had never happened be-
fore.
Washington fingered at the dinner table until
the sun touched the western horizon Then he
arose to depart mo guest ever leaves my house
after SHUTDOWN" said the host.
Colonel Washington would not be the first to
break the rule of the hos ptable house. The puz-
zled Bishop was ordered to stable the horses for
the night, and his master renewed his converse
| ton with the charming widow.
They remained in the drawing room long after
the other guests had retired, and when, the next
morning, he mounted his horse the sun was
high in the heavens.
The business with the Governor was quickly
finished, and the steed ambled toward the White
House, where he was received by Mrs. Gusts,
the mistress. Late the next day he departed,
and it soon spr lad through the neighborhood that
Colonel Washington was engaged to the Widow
GUSTS.
This was in May, 1853, and in January, 1859,
they were married at the little Church of st.
Peter. The bridegroom was dressed in suit of
broadcloth, the coat lined with red silk and or
namented with silver trimmings. He wore an
embroidered satin wastcoat and gold knee and
shoe buckles. His hair was powdered, and by
his side hung straight crossword.
The bride was attired in white satin quilted
petticaat, and a heavy, corded silk overskirt;
high Leeled shoes of white satin, with diamond
buckles; rich pointace ruf1es; pearl necklace,
earrings, bracelet and pearl ornaments iE her
hair.
On leaving the church the bride and her at
tendant ladies rode in coach drawn by six
horses, guided by liveried black Positions
Colonel Washington rode by the side of the
coach upon a richly caparisoned horse, and at
tended by brilliant company of gentlemen.
Years after, the old servants who assisted at
the wedding delighted to describe it's magnii-
cence. The recollections of one of them, Gully,
when hundred years old, are given in the vol
ume from which we have cleaned these facts
Mr.. Lossngs MARY and Martha Washington. /"
'And so, Gully you remember when Colonel
asked his master, Mr.. Park Curtis.
Indeed, do, massa He was dar on'y foh
times afo' de wedding, for you see he was in de
war the French and Indian war] all de time
We couldn't keep our eyes off him. he seemed SO
grand"
"And the wedding, Culy?"
"Great times, sab! Shall never see de like
agin. Mo- bosses an car'ges, an fine ladies an
gen'lmen, dan when missus was married afo'"
and Colonel Warrington, how did he look
Cullyq"
''Neber seed de like, sab! Neber de likes o.
him, though I've seen many in my day He was
so tall, straight, so handsome, an he sot boss
and rid wild sech an air Oh, he was so gran !!
He was like else Many of de gran'est
genlmen. in gold lace was at de weddin', but
none looked like de man hisselfp