The St. Louis Republic., 1903-01-18

JANUARY y, 1893 NEW Styie) udWHeu tiesi'
crisp and glistening over New Kent County.
As the rosy light of the coming day flood
ed the earth nature awoke with one move
ment
There was n f1uttering of wings and the
eweet songs of the redbirds and the orioles
rose on the air as the pretty feathereo
creatures fitted from lockwood hedge 10
magnolia or the tall, swaying poplars. then
darted off into the woods to join in the
grand matin song which was rising from
thousands of little throats to the accom-
pc eminent of rustling leaves and the SOFT
tread OF other children Of nature.
AS the sun rose higher 1t touched the
weather vane on .the steeple of old St
Peters in Williamsburg, shedding scintii-
lating rays athwart the little edifice: it
flooded the great plantations along the
Pamunkey River and shed an extra giine
of brightness on those Of Colonel Jonn
Dandridge and 1.-THE White House." the
magnificent home Of the widow Gusts. a
few miles distant.
Nor did this very busy old sun on his
daily rounds find any of the occupants OF
theaa two distinguished manor houses
asleep as. he apoked his nose ABOVE the
horizon. Woolly headed darkles were stir-
ring with unwonted agility.
Early as the hour was, plantation life
was rushing hither and yon.
Horses were receiving unusual grooming;
high springed, gauoy, numbering family
coaches were being brushed over and over.
and bright blue, red and gold embroidered
robes thrown over them: saddles and har-
ness were made spick and span, and grooms
livery was being carefully inspected for the
hundredth time.
Big fat mamm;es important and bustling.
were making frequent trips to the outlying
kitchens and taking furtive peeps into
bake--ovens and pots hanging on long iron
cranes in the freplaces.
Young and sprightly negro women, with
sparkling eyes and cleaning teeth. glided
hurrledly but noiselessly through the Dig
rooms. and the great halls OF the man-
eions, and kinky headed children were
shouting and running everywhere to pro-
claim the latest word of the Master or
the Missy" brought from the breakfase
room With the change OF china by the
pompous man servant who waited on the
table on that particular morning.
And Ahy this unusual fiutter and hustle
and donning OF fine raiment? The greatest
social function Virginia had ever witnessed
and one which was destined to go down
in the annals of history was to take place
that day.
ESTEEMED YOUNG OFFICER.
Colonel George Washington, Of the ad1oin-
ing county. the highly esteemed young Of
fcer who had Just returned from sue
cessful military campaign and bad taken
his seat as a member Of the House OF
Bureesses, was to come over from his home
at Mount Vernon to wed the beaut1fu ana
wealthy widowed daughter Of Colonel John
cambridge, Martha cambridge Custis.
As the day advanced there was pefcep-
tible movement toward St. Peters Churcn'
in Williamsburg, the little edince puht III
I703 at a cost of 146.000 pounds OF tobacco.
The bell in the belfry was ringing as the
gentry. the quality and the nobility Of the
capital and surrounding country drew near
Chaises resplendent in bright-hued trap
pings and drawn by fours, with position
riders. coming from all directions. deposited
wedding guests at the church door.
Tall, straight. with dark brown hair and
gray eyes, young Washington. who was
then in the twenty-seventh year of his age.
made q handsome and imposing bridegroom.
He was clothed In suit OF blue cloth. the
coat lined with red silk and ornamented
with silver trimmings.
His waistcoat was Of white satin, embroid-
cred. and gold buckles were on his shoes
and at his knees, and his head was pow
dered. A straight dress sword hung by his
side.
He was every inch the soldier in civilian
dress as he approached the altar with mili-
tary bearing.
The Reverend Mr.. Mossum. in full canoni-
calls, stepped to the chancel rail. On sweet
June day. ten years previously. this rever-
end gentlemen had stood at the same chan
eel rail. awaiting the same lady whom
everybody present was now awaiting.
Then, at the age of II. she became the
bride Of Daniel Parke Custis. who had lived
but seven years thereafter.
As the marriage ceremony proceeded the
earnest gray eyes Of Washington never left
her face. Tho spell that had come over the
young Mars when. on a hurried dispatch
trip. he had stopped to dine at Major Cham
berlayne's and had been smitten by the
charms Of this lady. who was one of the
quests, had not departed.
Perhaps the young soldier thought OF those
two days OF ardent wooing when. profitins
BY previous disappointing experiences. he
had determined to remain, in sight until he
had won his prize. and perhaps at that
moment he was congratulafing himself that.
~ pursuing that persistent course he had