Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1885 — Maria Ward and John Randolph. [ARTICLE]

Maria Ward and John Randolph.

One of the saddest and most romantic love affi irs in the social annals of Virginia, writes E. L. Didier, in Harper’s Msgazite tor April, was that of Maria Ward and John Randolph of Beanoke Beginning in early boyhood, it became the one enthralling session of his manhood, filling his whole being until, as he himself said, ‘he love her better than his own soul or Him that created it. ’ There is a picture of John Randolph in the rooms of the Virginia Historical society, taken at the time when he was the accented lover cf Maria Ward. It represents a singularly handsome yeutb of 25, his eyes dark and full of intellect, his mouth beautifully formed, and over his proud and lofty forehead fell a profusion of dark hair. Tbe breaking off of the affair is wrapped in mystery- AH we know is, that one summer morning he rode up to the house, and after a long interview in tne parlor the lady left the room in tears, while he rushed from tbe bouse, mounted his horse, and rode furiously away- He never saw her again; but one day be approached a house where she was staying while she was singing in tbe parlor. Fascinated by the sound of her voice he lingered on the porch, and sent in from time to time a request for her to sing one after another the tender little ballads which were associated with their loves. Maria Ward sang unconscious of her lover’s presence, while he rushed frantically up and down the porch in an agony of gaief, waving his arms, and crying in the anguish of his heart: ‘Macbeth hath mnrdered sleep l Macbeth shall sleep no morel* Maria Ward married Peyton Randolph son of Edmund Randolph, who was gove nor of Virginia, the first attorney general of the United States, and secretary of state under Washington. This lady was distinguished for the exquisite grace and fascination of her manners and her bright wit. Her portrait repesents a lovely girl of 16, with wonderous blue eyes, exquisitely delicate complexion, profusion of sunny brown curls, and ia the quaint custome us the last century. Maria Ward died In 1826, aged 42 years. All contemporary accounts unite in describing tier as possessing a singular fascination of manners, a charming sweetness and amiability of disposition, an enchanting gayety and esprit, and a peculiar, Irresistible, personal loveliness. At the time of death she was still as fresh as the summer rose, as capativatmg tn mind and manners as when she enthralled the passionate heart of John Randolph of Roanoke. Furkiturb Polish—The subjoined simple preparation is said to be desirable for cleaning and polishing old furniture. Over a moderate fire put a perfectly dean vessel. Into this drop two ounces of white or yellow wax. When melted add four ounces of pure turpentine- then stir until cool, when it is ready for use. The mixture brings out the oiiginal color of the wood, adding a luster equal to that of varnish. The late Bi hop W iley, of the Methodist Episcopal church, who died at his p<>«t ip China, traveled in the twelve }< irs of his official duties 190,000 miles, v ited both the old and the new world in very direction, ordained neaaly 800 o cons and 600 elders, wrote 15,000 o, ial letters, and spoke nearly eveiy bu..day. ‘You did not dare to speak to me in that manner before I married you, sii!’ she indignantly exclaimed. ‘No.’ nor you didn’t dare come cavorting around me in curl-papers and rag-carpet slippers before I married you, madam!’ he retorted. Then she cried, and he proianed.