Evening star., 1932-02-21

nected perhaps the most pleasant glimpse OF
family feeling At the time Of Washingtons
marriage John Parke and Martha Parke Gusts.
or Jack" and "Patsey" as he called them, were
respectively and years Of ase. The first
invoice Of goods shipped from London to the
stepfather contained the items 10 shillngs
worth Of Toys, s little books for children be-
ginning to read" and Il fashionable dress Baby
to cost 10 shillings."
Later Washington wrote to London for "a
box Of gingerbread Toys q Sugar Images or
Comfits" then he ordered Bible and prayer
book for each, neatly bound in Turkey" with
names lin gilt letters on the inside OF the
cover" Stin later II very good Spinet."
Patsey was subject to q nervous disorder
which caused her death before she reached
wonanhood. Despite constant efforts OF her
family to obtain medical relief for her, she
allied for four years.
THE Sweet Innocent Girl" Washington
wrote, entered into . more happy and peace
full abode than she has met with in the aniicted
Path she has hitherto trod," but lit is an
easier matter to conceive than to describe the
distress of this family" at the loss Of dear
Patsey Custis"
WASHINGTON took his duty IS guardian
w of the two stepchildren and toward Mar
tha's grandchildren very seriously. Jack signed
himself "Your most adectionate and dutiful
son." but Washington wrote, yet I conceive
there is much greater circumspectaon to be OBJ
served by . guardian than q natural parent"
And speaking in his will Of Jacks children,
Wasl1inKton wrote 1T has always been my in
tention since my expectations Of having issue
ceased to consider the grandchildren OF my
wife In the same light as my own relations,
and to act friendly part BY them"
Jack early showed disinclination to study and
Washington observed wt-n Jack was IA that
his mind is more turned to Dogs Horses and
,tvHor -
Wishing to ut him for more useful purposes
than q horse racer" washington sent him to
live with . clergyman instructor for three years.
but Jack developed "a propensity for the fair
SEX" and after two or three nirtataons got him.
self engaged to Nellie Calvert. There was no
objection to this match except that owing
to his youth and fckleness he may either
change and therefore injure the young lady; or
that it may precipt him into . marriage before
am certain he has ever bestowed . single
thought Of the consequences: BY which means
his education Is interrupted"
Jack was accordingly entered In Kings Col
lege New York, but after the death Of Patsey
Gusts returned to Virginia and promptly mar
ried Nellie Calvert. They spent much time at
Mount Vernon, and Washington wrote, Dear
Jack, am always pleased with yours and Mel
He's abidance at Mount Vernon"
On accepting command, Washington relin-
quished the care of the Gusts estate for which
service he had never charged him or his sister
- one farthins for all the trouble have
made in managing their estates, nor 1or any
expenee they have been to me-"
Jack was elected . member Of the Virginia
House Of Delegates. and at the siege OF York
town served Is an officer Of militia. An illness
caused by exposure proved too much, and shortly
after the surrender Of yorktown, Washington,
by riding = miles in one day, reached Eltham
I'm time to see poor Gusts breath his last,
havinx behind him flour lovely children,
girls and boy"
From infancy two Of Jseks children. George
Washington Farke and Eleanor Parke Gusts,