The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1931-01-09
WASHINGTON E
GUSTS
Continued from page one@

I0
the first time by Chamberlayne
1t Is almost certain that the fam.
Gus soldier and the charming wild.
ow had at least heard of each
other before that time.
Fate must have taken a hand in
when Colonial Washington was de-
tanned at Williams Ferry over the
Pamunkey by his friend, Major
Chamberlayne, who earnestly
pressed upon the young man an
invitation to stay his journey and
enjoy the hospitality of the plan
tation. But Washington has hast
ening to Williamsburg where he
intended to ask the Governor IN
person for men and supplies for
the frontier, which previous let
ters had failed to obtain. Cham
ber1ayne was insistent, however,
and when 1t appeared that all his
opportunities must fail to alter
formed the latter that he was then
entertaining the charming Mrs.
GUSTS. This argument, apparently
was potent enough to convince the
young warrior where all others
had been vain, and Washington
consented to remain only long |
enough to partake of the meal
which was then being prepared.
Bishop, the personal servant Of
Washington, who had served I'M
der Braddock, was instructed to
hold the Coionel's horse in readi-
ness for a speedy departure as
soon as dinner was over. The old
soldier knew very we'll his mas.
ter's reputation for punctuality,
and since the business at Will
liamsburg was important, he full
ly expected that his wait would
be a brief one. But the dinner
hour passed, the sun sank lowct
into the west, and till WASHINGTON
fingered. At last in the warm dusk
of the May evening, the faithful
Bishop received orders to stable
the horses for the night and the /,
Journey was postponed until the
next day.
There. is something amusing in
this scene of budding romance, al {
though it is no wonder that Wash
ington tarried. Martha GUSTS was
beautiful, attractive and accomp C
lished. She has been described as f
being short, slightly plump and OF
engaging personality. Certain \
ly the Colonel's interest in the n
lady was matched by her w in
terest in the renowned young sol V
der, and such mutual agreeable V
ness was surely sufficient to S
crowd prosaic business into the
background. y
However, the Governor had TO h
be- visited, so the next day found
Washington on his way to Will G
iamsburg. But as Don as the bus fl
which took him there was d;
aiken care of, the now fully smit-
EN- Colonel proceeded to the Ii
White House, the GUSTS home on 81
he Pamunkey, where it appears
Mrs. GUSTS expected him. When p
le left there he must have been IN g.
high spirits, for he took with him
he lady's promise to marry him v
Is soon as he should finish his M
military service on the Ohio.
Washington did not see his be- o,
again for several months, n,
or it was December before he re-
urned from this expedition. His 81
fulfilled, the Colonel re-
igned from the army and hasten
d plans for the wedding. 1t was or
Washington's absence on
he frontier that he wrote the only :;
to Martha which alone re- "
mains of his prenuptial correspon- -
with her. This dignified and II
tender note is dated Fort -
cumberland, July 20, 1858:
I'VE have begun our march to
he Ohio. A courier is starting for -
and l embrace the
pportunity to send a few words
o one whose life is now INSOFAR W
BILE from mine. Since that happy
our when we made III pledges cN'
D each other, my thoughts have al
cen continually going to you as
, another self. That All-powerful WI
'rovidence may keep us both in
afety, is the prayer of your faith
IL and ever affectionate friend, Oh
Ct. Washington"
1t is still uncertain whether the
larrfage occurred in Saint Peters II
hurch or at the brides home, the
Jhite House. At any rate, the
everend Mr.. Mossom. rector of
Amt Peters, officiated at the GER
nony. Jared Sparks, n of
Tashington's earliest biographerS, LAS
the authority for the date of so'
70 wedding which he established I
January g.. But no matter wa
the wedding took place fe
+bo White uorea or Tho church wa
was a notable event and was at
by a great number Of p.
Irginia's prominent people. The ehe
overnor himself was there with an
vii and military authorities, and VIC
any of the socially elite. Only Dig
traditional account of the festiv- FOL