The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-02-19

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Gf0azE Ma6HWGYnK
The bride was attired In heavy bro
caded white silk. interviewer with sill
TMlI yer thread. Her shoes were OF white
satin and sparkled with buckles Of
brilllants. The bridegroom was cos
TUNED in a blue cloth coat. lined with
red silk and ornumented with silver
trimmings. His shoes and knee
buckles were Of solid gold, his hair
was powdered, and a sword hung at
his side. He appeared the beau Ideal
OF a gallant and a gentleman.
Mrs. Washington had four children
by her former marriage-Martha, Dan
lei. John Parke, and a girl, who died
in infancy. Washington fathered her
little progeny. but had none OF his
own. providence" II was said, had
denied the great man children that he
~ NH might be the father Of the whole
2l country"
Washington was fortunate in his
marriage. John Adams, in one Of his
Jealous outbursts. exclaimed: Would Washington
have been commander Of the Revolutionary army
or president Of the United States II he had not
married the rich widow OF Mr.. Custisy Mrs
washington's third of the Custis property equaled
EntIepn InDuhnuu dtTth VI lhuht a hhtA heAA VI -
adjoining the city Of Williamsburg, several lots
In the said city. between 5000 and 5000 negroes,
and about $4,000 or 10000 upon bond" ests'
mated at the time as about 100000 in all Be
sides, this was increased by the death Of the
daughter, Patsy" GUSTS. In 1913, by half her
fortune. a sum OF 10000. But IL must be re-
membered that Washington's colonial military
fame had been entirely achieved before he had
even met Mrs. Gusts. Washington was worth
about $500. 600, the richest man in his day.
II has been said that his p%enchant for lovely
women was acutely alive all through his active
career. Washington was human, and there Is
no question that fair women always had attract
ed him.
In his sixty.sixth year he wrote. Love is said
to be an involuntary passion, and II is There
fore he contended that 1t cannot be resisted"
Though d lover himself, Washington was not
a Matchmaker In a letter to the widow OF
Jack Gusts C'Jack" his wife's son, who had been
his ward he writes: Il never did, nor do ! be-
iieve ever shall give advice TO a woman who Ia
setting out on a matrimonial voyage" And
again. 1T has ever been a maxim with me through
life, neither TO promote nor to prevent a mstrt
monial connection. | have always con
sidered marriage as the most interesting event
of ones life, the foundation OF happiness or
misery"
Yet in a letter to Eliza Custis Bates tthe eldest
Of Jacky's four children, dated January G, 1895,
Washington gives some interesting advice
Neither shun by too much coyness the addresses
of a suitable character whom you may esteem
nor encourage them by advances on your part,
however predisposed toward them your inclina-
''on may be.
IN choosing a partner for life. prefer one OF
your oountrymen Thy this | mean an Amerlcan)
of visible property and whose family Is known and
whose circumstances mot depending on fortu'
itous mattersl may not. like a foreigners, reduce
you TO the heartrending alternative Of parting
with him or bidding adieu to your country, fam
lily and friends forever.
TN forming a connection OF this durability, lei
the understanding as we'll as the passion be con
suited; without the appreciation OF the first the
indulgence OF the latter may be compared 70 the
rose, which will bloom, glow for q while. then
fade and die, leaving nothing but thorns behind
Il. There are other considerations, though sec
ondary, nevertheless important. Among these
congenlality OF temper Is essential, without which
discord will ensue and that walk must be un
pleasant and toilsome when two persons linked
together cannot move In II without iostling each
other"
Alas. Eliza Ann C'Betsy") didn't take Wash
lngton's advice. She married Thomas Law, an
Englishman. the nephew OF Lord EliensboFough
yet It IL said she was comparatively happy In hel
choice.
Though Washington loved, and loved often
there is no doubt that a good deal OF romance
has been woven around his early career. Accord
ing to some, Washington had "a rag on ever
bush" from the vine-oiad hills OF old Virginia n
Boston Commons. But the truth Is Washington
was not an indiscriminRte lover, nor did he trin'
with the affections OF women. Despite the ef
forts Of forgery and ealumny no deed Of shame Ia
regard TO the sex ever could be laid at his door
During the time he was president q Mrs Hart
ley is mentioned TO whom some say he was ver1
devoted. Yeates Gays; mir. Washington onc
told me on a charge which l once male agains
the president at his own table, that this sdmira
ton he warmly professed for Mrs. Hartley was
proof OF his homage TO the worthy part OF tn
sex. and highly respectful 10 his wife"