Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-02-23

"Plunderer of Villages" and wanted
him to marry one of their maidens anu
settle down among them.
He did better. Three years after
ward he went to New York on bust
ness, extending his journey as far
north as Boston But while resting
from the fatlgues of travel in the old
Dutch town he spent a week or two
visiting Beverley Robinson, formerly
of Virginia. Through him he met his
sister-in-law, Mary Phillipse, whose
father was one of the solid men" of
Gotham She took a certain fancy to
the tall young southerner who had
been lighting on the frontier and
boosted a military title He took
something more than a fancy to her.
though she was his elder, better edu-
Gated and more accustomed to polite
society So, on that very brief ac-
Guaintanre, he proposed only to be
taught the difference between fancy
and a matrimonial engagement.
TWO years afterward she was mar
ried to a colonel in the British service
in his day Washington always blamed
himself for being in too great haste
in the matter so he bore no grudge. II
he had, revenge was on the knees of
the gods; for they had not been mar
ried quite eighteen months before they
were fugitives, while Mary's "old
flame" the newly chosen commander
in-chief of the continental army, made
his headquarters in their home.
II Washington thought he lost Mary
PhiIlipse by the precpitancy with
which he urged his suit, ne did not
abide by the teachings of experience.
About the time the New York beauty
was welded to her tory colonel
Washington had occasion TO 90 to Will
liamsburg TO consult a physician in
regard to an ailment which did not
prove serious in the least, His road
took him to the house of a sprightly
widow only seven months in mourn
ing She was 26, just three months
his junior She owned $1,000 acres OF
land 200 slaves, a large amount of Inn
proved property in the city of Will
liamSburg and she had some money
out az interest The young man
hitehed his horse. received an invita-
ton TO stay 70 supper, accepted it, and
as soon rs the meal was over, pro-
posed following 10 would seem, an old
proyerb in regard to suing for
widows hand
Martha Gusts explained to a friend
a litde later that her property was get
ting into confusion and badly needed
a man to look after it, Possibly, too,
her two children required a fathers
care. Whatever the reason. she ac-
cepted him as promptly as be had pro-
posed. The engagement ring cost him
g. and l6 shillings, but 1t must be re-
membered as was remarked when
Washington feat of throwing a dol
lar across the Potomac was unsuccess-
fully attempted that money went
farther in those days Eight months
aftsrward the happy twain were mar
ried With her money Washington
rebuilt the mansion he had inherited
at Mount Vernon, and it was her prop
erty which made him the wealthlest
man In the thirteen colonies. But
Martha Washington was not Mary. She
knew SO lh,le about domestic cares
that he had 10 Aire q housekeeper. And
Washington also wrote her letters for
her.
Though Washington mother was
stronger character than his father
there was but one other Of their chill
dreu who resem 5led both the mother
and her eldest boy This was Betty
Washington size had the same broad
face thin lips large nose and partially
closed eyes That little protuberaace
beside the jaw which some lrreyereut
Americans have attributed t0 the use
Of chewing tobacco, really was due 70
the spriug which Kept George Wash
,HEtons set ot lockwood teeth open
when be opened his mouth. Those
the world 5 fair. Thistlfp Jaw debit
teeth by the way. were exhibited. al
The worlds fair This Betty did not