The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-11
WAsHINGTON's COURTsHIP.
How He Met, Wooed and Won the
Charming Widow Custis.


On May day, in 175s. as ne spurred upon
the way to Williamsburg, under orders
from the frontier, Washington roce straight
upon a venture he had not looked for. He
was within few hours ride Of the little
capital; old plantations lay close upon the
way; neighborly homes began to multiply;
and so striking horseman, riding uni
formed and attended, could not whereabouts
go far unrecognized. He was way.aid and
hailed to dinner, despite excuses and pro-
tests Of public business calling for dispatch.
at the house, his friend told him. If a good
dinner was not argument enough-and his
business could not spoil for an hours stay
nnd Of So 81 h
was hurried into the presence of the gra-
cious matron. who at once. and as IL or
right, to make his heart safe against FUR
Their quest or adventure. Martha Custis was
but six and twenty. To the charm OF youth
and sweetness was that winning grace of
self-possession which comes to a woman
age or care has checked the first full tide
of life. At seventeen she had married Daniel
Parke Gusts. man more than twenty
years her senior: but eight years Of quiet
made her youth the more gracious in that
rural land of leisure and good neighbor
hood; and years widowhood had been
but suitable preparation for perceiving
the charm Of this stately young soldier
who now came riding her way upon the
public business. His age was her own; al
lantry and brave capacity: he carried him.
self like a prince-and he forgot his errand
To linger in her company. Dinner was
soon over. and his horse at the door:
there was the drilled and beautiful
Bishop, trained servant that he was,
leading his restless and impatient charge
and Of the terrace where his young colonel
tarrieI absorbed and forgetfu.; man and
beast alike had been in the service of the
unhappy Braddock, and might seem TO walk
undertaken. But dusk came; the horses
were put up; and the next morning was well
got at last to his saddle and spurred on, be-
lated, to Williamsburg. His business con-
cerned the preparations then afoot for Gen.
eral Forbes's advance upon Duquesne. Il
Washington TO the president of the council,
by the express order of Sir John st. Car.
to represent in the fullest manner the pos
ture of our affairs at Winchester"-lack of
clothes, arms and equipage, lack OF money,
lack Of wise regulations touching rank and
discipline. General Forbes had been In Phil
adelphia month already, awaiting the for
nation Of his army in Virginia.; Sir John ct.
Clair, his acknowledgements, had come
into the province TO see that proper plans
were made and executed; 1t was necessary
that matters should be pressed forward very
diligently and at once; and Washington,
when once at the seat OF government, was
not Sack to urge and superintend official
action. But the troublesome business once
in proper course, he turned back to seek
Mrs. GUSTS again, this time at nor own
home, ere he went the long distance OF the
frontier. The onset was made with a SOL
diers promptness and audacity. He returned
TO his post after delay too slight, to de-
serve any reasonable mans remark, and
yet with a pledge given and taken which
made him look forward to the end Of the
campaign with q new longing, as to the WIN
ming of real home and an unwonted hap
pness
The campaign dragged painfully far into
the drear autumn. December had come be-
fore the captured post on Ohio could be left
to the keeping of Colonel Mercer and little
ne was free again there was no reason why
Washington should walt longer to be happy,
and ne was married to Martha Gusts on
the 9th of January, 1853 The sun shone
very bright that Gay, and there was the
fine glitter of gold, the brave snow OF re-
splendent uniforms. in the little church
where the marriage was so-emn.zed. OH
GERS of his Majesty's service crowded there,
in their gold lace and scarlet coats, to see
their comrade welded: the new Governor.
Francis Fauquier, himself came, clad as
befitted his rank; and the Bridegroom took
the sun not less CALAMITY than the rest, as
he rode, in blue. and silver. and scarlet.
beside the coach and six that bore his bride
hcmeward amidst the thronging friends OF
the countryside The young soldiers love
of gallant array and becoming cere-
mony was satisfied to the FULL and he must
have retoiced to be so brave a horseman
on such a day. For three months Of deep
content he lived with his bride al her own
side, where their troth had been plighted,
forgetting the fatigues OF the frontier, and
learning gratefully the new life OF quiet
love and homely duty.