Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21

as Christmas, meant headquarters for ful
succession of Virginia gayeties, formal DalIS,
soirees, fox hunts, theatr1calS, and grown
people still enjoyed blindman's bluff and kiss
ing games!
GO rolled by busy and happy years, all un-
~ knowing of the great trouble and sorrow as
well as glory that was even then preparing Ior
the future In 1774 Mrs. Washington's dearly
loved little Patti faded away from earth,
soaring the tender heard of Washington with
its first great loss, for he loved this child as
his own.
Then his country called him from his home.
The years that followed gave that country its
greatest hero for all time "the only man in
history without whom his country could not
have existed" Times that tried mems soul,
and years of them, were to pass before the
happy return to the home on the Potomac.
During these years Of absence strict orders
were given the manager put In charge at
Mount Vernon to entertain the stranger and
take care of the needy. Nothing was to be
changed and it was to be kept ready for guests,
whether the Mistress was there or not. She
spent her Winters, Christmases included, ct
Headquarters with the Commander In Chief as
much as possible, but Mount Vernon kept the
festival for little Nellie Gusts the infant
daughter of John Parke Gusts, the son Of
Martha Washington, and who was also serving
in the great struggle. The ever-glorious sur
render of the British arrived. With one last
elutching blow, as determined the great COM
mander should not 60 without lifelong scar,
the demon war reached out and took this only
son. Lady Washington, as she was now called,
made no murmur and offered just one constant
prayer-that the general might be left TO grow
old with her. The beloved sons two youngest
children were at once adopted by the general,
and kept the family circle complete at Mount
Vernon-father, mother and child.
Touching farewells had been said to both the
Army and the officers, and on December IS
Washington had resigned his commission at
Annapolis. Word had reached Mount Vernon
that the general and his staff and the Comte
de Rochambeau and Gen. Chastellux would
keep Christmas there, the first since 1774!
Only those who have listened to tales Of old
time housekeeping can appreciate the amount
of CHEEKY labor such three days visit meant,
especially as such renowned guests had never
been entertained before! The occasion was,
bringing the old order of living back TO Mount
Vernon. At once the entire household went
into action with definite end in view.
The huge Yule logs took their place, the
floors and brasses were polished by willing black
hands and every candlestick had its sprig Of
holly, and the mistletoe was bravely hung. The
bed rooms, plain but exquisitely neat, were
aired and garnished, and how heavenly good
the feather beds and linen sheets smelling Of
lavender must have been to the heroes fresh
from the hardships Of war!
The hunters went a-hunting and the best
fish in the Potomac were lured TO the line by
Uncle jack for fish was one thing the Master
really loved, abstemious as he was at the table.
The recipe always used by Lady Washington
for her rich black cake" has been preserved