Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1882 — “Lady” Washington. [ARTICLE]

“Lady” Washington.

That celebrated woman, whom our revolutionory sires, in spite of their republicanism, called “Lady Washington” was a homebody. Slie used to speak of her public life in New York and Philadelphia as her “lost days.” She preferred the comfort and seclusion of Mount Vernon to tlie gayety and publicity as the wife of' tlie President. A lady who visited her there draws this pen and ink sketch of Martha Washington's room at her husband’s farm; “On one side sits th.e chambermaid, with her knitting; on tlie other a little colored pet, learning to sew. A decentlooking old woman is there, ipth her table and shears, cutting out the negroes’ winter clothes; while the good old lady directs them all, incessantly knitting herself. She points out to me several pairs of nice stockings and gloves she lias just finished, and presents me with a pair half done, which she begs I will finish and wear for her sake.” Mrs. Washington was a warm Federalist in her politics, and had no love for the Democratic principals of Thomas Jefferson. Her granddaughter, Miss Custis, who lived with her. was required to practice on tlie harpsichord four or five hours daily. One day not hearing the sound of " the instrument, Mrs. Washington came down stairs. “I heard some one go out of the house so you must,have had a visitor,” she said to the young lady. Then noticing a spot on tlie newly-painted cream-col-ored wall, she exclaimed, — “Ah, it was no Federalist!” pointing to a blemish just over the settee; “none but a filthy Democrat would mark a place with liis good-for-nothing head in that manner!” Miss Nellie Custis being young and romantic, was fond of wandering alone by moonlight in tlie woods of Mount Vernon. Her grandmother thought it unsafe, and scolded the young lady until she promised not to walk in the woods again unless accompanied. But one night, her habit being too strong to be curbed by a promise, slie was again missed and a servant was yvnt to recall her from her favorite wanderings. As soon as she entered tlie drawing room, her grandmother, seated in lier great armchair, leproved lier severely. Nellie admitted that she was alone, but offered no excuse for lier transgression. As slie was leaving the room she overheard Gen. Washington, who had been walking up and down tlie room with liis hands behind him, say to liis wife: “My dear, I would say no more; perhaps she was not alone.” Instantly Miss Nelly returned, and, walking straight up to tlie General, said; “Sir you brought me up to speak the truth; and when I told grandma I was alone I Lope you believe I was alone.” The General making one of his most comtly bows, replied: “My child ’I beg your pardon.”— Youth's Companion.