Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-02-21
WASHINGTON and
MARTHA GUSTS
Their Love Affair Lasted UR-
til the End

George Washington had ever an eye
for fine women" says an old writer.
And it was but natural, on account Of
the name and fame he was bringing to
himself at that period, score of years
before the Revolution, that he should
be much sought after by society. He
was tall, handsome, and more than
usually gallant No young man Of
his day had a more commanding pres
ence. He was welcomed everywhere,
not only as the military officer who
had won an enviable reputation, but
as a polite and interesting gentleman
of the finest type.
Many attempts were thrown in his
way to lose his heart, but with little
result, until his friend Beverly Robin
son invited him to a little party in
New York, where he met the lovely
Mary Phillips, a beauty and heiress.
Washington was compelled to take his
leave of her with a sharp rigor in his
heart. But he could not leave that
desolate frontier at home unprotected
to stay for a siege upon lady's heart,
and so he went back to his post.
The following May, in 1853, he was
on his way to Williamsburg, under
orders from the frontier. Upon his APP
proach to the town he was waylaid,
and hailed to dinner. There was a
charming woman to be seen at the
house, his friend told him, if a good
dinner was no argument And so, of =
sudden, under constraint of Virginia
hospitality, he was hurried into the
presence of the gracious young woman
who was at once, and as if of right, Jc
make his heart safe against further
quest or adventure.
Martha GUSTS was but six and
twenty. She possessed the winning
grace of self-possession which comes
to a woman wived in her girlhood, and
widowed before age or care has check
ed the first full tide of life. Washing
toms age was her own.
The morning of the following day
had well advanced before the abstract
ed young officer got at last to his sad
die and spurred on belated to Will
After having adjusted his
he turned back to see Mrs
Curtiss again, this time at her own
home, ere he went the long distance of
the frontier.
The campaign dragged painfully far
into the drear autumn. December had
come before Washington found things
in such condition that he could leave
for visit home. Now, since he was
at last free, he argued to himself, there
was no reason why he should wait
longer to be happy, and upon his re-
turn plans were speedily made, and on
January 6, 1853, he was married loI
Martha Gusts.
The sun shone bright that day, and
there was the fine glitter of gold, the
brave show of resplendent uniforms, |
IN the little Virginia church where the /
marriage was solemnized. Officers OIL
His Majesty's service crowded there
the new Governor, Francis Fauquier,
himself came, clad as befittad his rank;
and the bridegroom took the sun not
less gallant than the rest, as he rode,
in blue and silver and scarlet, beside
the coach and six that bore his bride
homeward amidst the thronging
friends of the countryside.
The young soldiers love of a gallant
array and a becoming ceremony was
satisfied to the full. For three months
he lived with deep content with his
bride at her own residence, the White
House by York, Riverside, where their
troth had been plighted, forgetting the
fatigues of the frontier, and learning
the new life of quiet love
and homely duty.
These peaceful, healing months
passed only too quickly, when Wash
ington turned once more to public bus
mess. But through his entire military
and civic career he was a devoted hus-
band. He wore his wife's miniature
portrait on a chain around his neck,
from their marriage until the day of
his death, forty years later When he
died, the heartbroken widow said:
"All is over! I shall soon follow
him"