The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-02-19

them honor For fifteen successive years
Washington was member of the legislature
of his state. His wife always ACCOMPANIED
him to Williamsburg. then the capital of
Virginia And so, treading on flowers, time
slipped away noiselessly for these happy peo-
pie. Then came a time at last when for
eight years the boom OF cannon and the roar
of musketry shook every home in the land
The happy family at Mt Vernon suffered
disruption with the rest, for its head was
the leader of the old Continentals, who fa-
tered not
Every year in October Mrs Washington
loaded with supplies, visited her husband in
camp and spent the winter with him. Each
year she hoped would end the war and con-
clude his long absence At last when peace
was declared and the country for which the
fathers fought became really their own.
Washington was once more called from his
home to assume the presidential chair, which
he filled conscientiousy for eight years. and
then refused third nomination
The seat Of government was then In New
York The presidents house was elegantly
furnished, and almost as formally conducted
as the home of king, Mrs. Washington
was an aristocrat by nature, and, in accord
ance with the custom of the times, con-
Quoted her receptions after the manner Of
English and French drawing rooms The
Republican court then located al No. 8
Franklin square, New York, called together
the most elegant and estimable of the
country Very different from the present
method of receiving the public were those
receptions lhe mot rigid rules governed
them, and access was not easy Dress, too,
was consideration. Certain requirements
in that particular must Ge observed
The second year of Washngton's admin
istration the seat of government was re-
moved to Philadelphia, where the same
ceremony was observed in the management
of the presidents household as at New York.
The house chosen was on Market street. be.
tween Fifth and Sixth, on the south side
and it was handsomely furnished No house
was provided for the president by the gov
ernrnent then, as now The first president
rented and furnished his own.
Mrs. Washington held her receptions, or
drawing rooms, AS they were called, on Fri
day evening of each week. The guests
assembled early, and left before 1880
These occasions are said to have been ex-
ceedingly stitf solemn and awkward. The
atmosphere of awful dignity that radiated
from the great Washington rather over
powered the guests 1t was an honor to bo
admitted, but it was also fearful trial To
any addicted to naturalness of manner or
Duoyancy OF spirits.
The lady of the mansion sat at the head
of the room, and the guests were placed in n
circle around which the president passed
speaking tremendously to each ono. There
is nothing TO tell us what Mrs. Washington
wore on these occasions, or how she looked.
The society reporter had not then been in
vented, as 1t was the age of bronze. not
tinsel We know however, that the presi-
dent powdered his hair and never offered
his hand to any of his guests and that he
wore the old Continental uniform
At this time Mrs, Washington was So vears
old, as was the general both having been
born in the same year. Mrs Washingtop's
children, Martha and John Parke Gusts
were cherished and guided by Washington
as tenderly as il they had been his own,
Both died after reaching maturity Tho
son, who was colonel in Washingtons
army, was married, and left widow and
four children. Washington adopted two Of
the children at once, and reared them with
the most conscientious care.
Washington died on Dec H. INA She
turned from the chamber that held his dead
form, never to enter it again. This was the
last event Of her life Thirty months later.
IN the spring of 1901, at the age of 20, she
TOO slipped out OF life, leaving a look Of
peace on her dead features
E,oaL III