The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-04-21

from Newburgh in a barge to the head
quarters of the French army, little below
Peekskil, where we were cordially received
by the V:scount de Noailles, a kinsman Of
Madame Lafayette. who was Mr.. llamil
toms warm friend. We remained ther'
several days, and were witnesses of the eX
cellent discipline of the French troops. -
There we saw the brave young lrshwomai
called Captain Molly" whom had seen
Iwo or three times before. She seemed t.
be a sort Of a pet with the French"
'Who was Captain Mol. ) and for what
was she famous?" | asked.
"lFhy, don't YOU remember reading OF
her exploit at the battle of Monmouth? Sh,
was the wife of a cannonier--a stout, red.
haired, freckled-faced young lrshwomai,
named Nary. While her husband was
managii g one of the field-peces in that ac
ion she constantly brought water from
spring near by. A shot from the British
killed him at his post, ard the officer IT,
command having no one competent TO fiji
his place, ordered the piece TO be Withdrawn
Molly, as she was called, saw her husband
TALL as she came from the spring, and ais,
neard the order. She dropped the bucket.
seized the ralhmer, and vowed she woulG |
ill the place OF her husband at the gun
and aveDge his death. She performed the
duty with great skill and won the admira
lion of all who saw her. My husband told |
me that she was brought in BY Gen. Green,
The next morning, her dress soiled will |
blood and dust, and presented TO Washing |
ION as worthy of reward. The General ad
lniring her courage, gave her the commits
sion uf a sergeant, and on his recommend |
alton her name was placed upon the list OF
lalf-pay officrrs for life. She was Lying |
near Fort Montgomery in the Highlands al
the time of our visit, and came to th, |
camp two or three times while we wer
here. She was dressed in a sergeant,
coat and waisLcoat over her peLticoat, and
u cooked hat. The story OF her explo
charmed The French ofiiccrs,and hey mad,
ner many presents. She would sometimes
pass along the French lines when on pa
rade and get her hat nearly filled with
crowns"
You must have seen and become ac
luainted With very many of the most dis
ingulshed men and women of America.
and also eminent foreigners, while ycul
husband was in Washington's Cabinet" /
remarked
"Oh, yes" she replied. 81 had little OF
private life in those days. Mrs. Washing.
ION, who, like myself, had passionate
love of home and domestic life, often com
planned of the waste of time she was com.
,Jelled 10 endure 'They cal ine the FRS
Lad, in the Land, and think must be ex
lremely happy she would say almost bit
terly, at tiIues, and add, The! might nor,
pruperl, call me the Chief State Prisoner
LAS was younger than she mingled
more in the gaielies of the day. was fond
OF dancing, and usually attended the pub
nc balls that were given. l was at the In
duguration ball-the most brilliant of them
.ll-which was given early in May at the
Assembly Rooms on Broadway, above Wall
street. 1t Was attended by the President
and Vice-Presideni, the Cabinet officers, a
| majority of the members of Congress, the
French and Spanish ministers, and mill
AIRY and civil officers. with their wives and
daughters. Mrs. Washington had not yet
arrived in New York from Mount Vernon,
and did not until three weeks later. On
that occasion every woman who attended
the ball was presented with fan, prepared
d. ..,ftI ~ .Hav
opened displayed likeness of Washington
in profile"
"were you often at balls which Wash
inglon attended," inquired.
Frequently"
Ibid he usually dance on such occa-
sions."
~ meyer saw Washington dance" she
replied. "He would always choose part
ner and walk through the figures correctly,
but he meyer danced. His fayoIite was the
minute, a slow, graceful dance, suited to
his dignity and gravity, and now little
known, believe"
"Mrs. Washineton's receptions were
very brilliant, were they not?' asked.
brilliant SO far as beauty, fashion and
social distinction went" she replied;
otherwise they were very plain and en-
tirely unostentatious.
"Did you usually attend themp" asked.
Frequently. / remember very exclt-
ing scene at one of her earlier receptions
Ostrich plumes, waYlng high over the head
formed part of the evening head-dress of
fashionable belle at that time. Miss Nc
Evers, sister of Mrs. Edward Livlngton,
who was present, had plunies unusually
high. The ceiling Of the drawing room Of
the Presidents house, near Franklin
Square, was rather low, and Mss McEYer's
plumes were ignitsd by the fame Of the
chandelier. Major Jackson, Washlngton's
aide. de-camp, sprapG TO the rescue of the
young lady and extInguished the fire by
smothering It with his hands"
"You saw many distinguished French |
people, refugees from the tempest Of the
revolution in France, did you potP" en-
quired.
"Very many. New York became much |
Frsnchlfed in speech aud manners. Mr.
Hamilton spoke French 1usntly, and A. be
did not sympathlzs with the reyolutionistl
who drove the excilss from their homes. be
was favorlte With many Of the cultivated
"smlErss. Among the most distinguished
Of these was Tallsyrand, strange creature
who staiA IN k@sEisA AsarlE two year,.