Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-02-21

l0ld SOclai lile. p4i"'
shared with the general the love
Iof society of friends; always
dressed with a scrupulous re-
card for the requirements OF her
station and the fashions OF the
day and presided as mistress Oh
Mount Vernon with great Dig
nitv and urbanity. The mansion
was seldom without guests, VINO
came to join Washington in the
sports of the chase. In the years
nreceding the Revolution Mrs.
Washington as much abroad with
her husband and was frequently
seen with him at the theaters
and dancing assemblies at An
napolis, Williamsburg and Alex
andria.
She had at her disposal a
chariot and four horses, with
black positions in livery for the
use of herself and lady visitors,
and her equipage was frequently
seen upon the road between
Mount Vernon, Alexandria and
adjacent estates.
With the Revolution came a
change in the social conditions.
Not only was Washington at the
forefront of the American forces,
but Mrs. Washington had her
hands full during the seven years
it lasted, widowed for these years
except for the winters when she
visited the camps of Washington
and was an honored guest at the
headquarters of the army, Lady
Washington, God bless her." was
the toast at every cornwall of
the soldiers of every rank.
\ AT length desired end was in
sight and the American troops,
assisted by their gallant French
allies, marched on Yorktown.
With Gen. Washington went John
Parke GUSTS, leaving his young
wife, scion of the noble family
of Lord Baltimore, and their in
FAINT children under the shelter
ing roof of Mount Vernon.
Gathered around the great ire
place in the living groom, Martha
Washington and her gaughter-in-
law awaited news from the battle.
ing courier, it was victory. But
When it came, borne by pant
he also bore word of the severe
illness of John Parke Gusts, the
beloved son and husband of the
woman. Mrs. Custis FASTENED to
her husbands bedside, only TO
see him draw his last breath, and
to meet at the same sacred post
General Washington, who had for
saken the feasts of victory to
ride 80 miles to see poor John
Parke breathe his last.
On the sad return to Mount
Vernon, Washington comforted
his soFrowing wife with the
promise that he would adopt the
TWO younger Children of John
Parke Gusts as his own. He re-
manned true to this promise, and
one of the children Nelly
CustiS was his special pet.
After the peace of 1883 Mount
Vernon became Il point of great
attraction, and many notables
went there. Hospitality WAS nee.
essary on liberal scale. Mrs.
Washington preserved her sweet
serenity. When her husband be-
came the chief magistrate of the
nation her simple habits remain
ed unchanged, and her larger
household was arranged upon
the frugal model of her home AT
Mount Vernon. Both Mrs. Wash
ington and he gave splendid ex-
amples of republican simplicity
and declined anthing approaching
roal honors. Her weekly recep-
tons or soirees were dignified
yet with full consideration of the
rank that imposed obligation.
But public life had few charms
for Mrs. Washington.
She returned gladly with Wash
ington to Mount Vernon after his
terms of Office were over, aid al.
ways referred to the time wher
she was in public life as hen
"lost days"
The last years of Washington's
life were passed quietly at Mount
Vernon with his chosen compan
ion. She was now nearly Il
years old, but the charm of The
Williamsburg maid had never beer