Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1915 — Page 3

HE first maiden to kindle M the divine spark in the B| breagt of George Washington was a young lady, whom he called his "Lowland Beauty,” and to whom, at fifteen, he wrote 'v_''wT some very execrable ||y'«“ verses. In one doggerel „ he tells about his “Poor, Resistless Heart,” surrendered to “Cupid’s 1 Feathered Dart” and lying . “Bleeding Every Hour,” for her that “pitiless of my Grief and Woes will not on me Pity take.” The identity of this “Lowland Beauty,” who was the object of Washington’s first affections has been much disputed. Lossing, the historian, pronounced her Mary Bland, and some are inclined to the belief that she was a Miss Eilbeck, a beauty of Charles

county, Maryland, who married George Mason. Others maintain that she was Lucy Grymes, who married Henry Lee and became the mother of the famous “Light Horse Harry,” who was a great favorite with Washington, and who referred to the commander in chief as “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Those who favor the Lucy Grymes identification poifit to the. affection of 'Washington for “Light Horse Harry” as a resultant of the early love he entertained for Harry’s mother. Others will have it that the “Lowland Beauty" was Betsy Fauntleroy, and base their assertion on a letter written in May, 1752, by Washington to the grandfather of Miss Fauntleroy, in which he says, among other things, he purposed as soon as he recovered his strength (he had been ill. with pleurisy) “to wait on Miss Betsy in hopes of a revocation of the former cruel sentence, and see if I can meet with any alteration in my favor.” In 1748 Washington became surveyor of Lord Fairfax’ lands. He was then but sixteen. In an undated letter, probably, written about the end of 1750, or the beginning of 1751, to his “Dear Friend Robin,” (possibly Robert Washington of Chotauk, affectionately remembered in his will) we also find allusion to th’e “Lowland Beauty,” “My place of residence is at present at his lordship’s, where I might, were not my heart disengaged, pass my time very pleasantly, as a very agreeable young lady lives in the same house . . . but often and unavoidably being in company with her revives my former passion for your ‘Lowland Reality;’ whereas, were I to live more retired from young Women, I might, in some measure, alleviate my sorrows by burying that chaste and troublesome Passion in the grave of oblivion of eternal forgetfulness.” History might have been different had Washington been accepted by the “Lowland Beauty.” If the “Lowland Beauty” was Betsy Fauntleroy—and good authorities think she was —she married Ebenezer Adams, progenitor of the Virginia family of that name, and became the mother of Thomas Adams, alumnus of William and Mary college, signer of the articles of confederation, and member of'the Philadelphia convention (17781780). The “agreeable young lady” mentioned by Washington in his letters from the Fairfax residence, was Miss Mary Cary, the sister of Colonel Fairfax’ wife. He turned to her for consolation and It seems her charm mitigated his “troublesome passion.” But Miss Cary had no genuine love for the ardent young man. In 1752 she married Edward Ambler. After his wooing of the “Lowland Beauty.” he had another charmer, presumably a member of the family of Alexanders, who had a plantation near Mount Vernon. Washington, while In Barbadoeß with his sick halfcbrother Lawrence, met a Miss Roberts, who exerted an infiuence over his tender heart and to whom he refers as “an agreeable young lady ” It would seem that nearly all the young ladies were agreeable to him. Miss Roberts, it appears, was the only one, however, who really captivated him in Barbadoes. While allowing that all “the ladys generally are agreeable,” he notes that'“by 11l custom they affect the negro style.” When returned from his first campaign and resting at Mount Vernon, the time seems to have been beguiled by some charmer, for one of hia intimate writes from Williamsburg; “I imagine you by this time plunged in the midst of delight heaven can afford .and enchanted by charmers even stranger to the Cirpian Dame,” and a footnote by the same hand only excites farther cariosity concerning this latter personage' by indefinitely naming her as “Mrs. NatL” It is —w that at one time and another Washington had half a hundred sweethearts along the banks of the Potomac, the Rappahannock, and the James, and even up to the gates of Mount Vernon. Perhaps the number is.-exaggerated but at any rate we IhEve but scant account of moat of the fair ones and are not even: told the names of the. great majority. This we do know, that

The MANY LOVE AFFAIRS of WASHINGTON

Washington was a guest with the Fairfaxes at Belvoir, with the Carys at Eagle’s Nest, with the Fitzhughes at Stratford House, with the Carters at Sabine Hall, and with the Lees and Fauntleroy* at Richmond. Through the death of his half-brother, whom he accompanied to Barbadoes In the West Indies in search of health, Washington became master of Mount Vernon. On his return journey he called at Bermuda, where he had an attack of smallpox which, according to Parson Weems, “marked his face rather agreeably than otherwise.” He was seized with a military ambition. He had already been a military inspector with the rank of major for the protection of the frontiers of Virginia. At twenty-three he was an aide-de-camp to General Braddock, commander in chief of the Virginia forces. At twenty-four we find him journeying to Boston on military business. In going and returning he tarried in New York for about a week, on each occasion as the guest of Beverly Robinson, a Virginia friend who had married Susannah Phflipse. Mrs. Robinson’s sister, a very pretty girl, happened to be on a visit with her relatives. Washington came under the glamour of her glances.” He did not spare expense In seeking popularity. He spent sundry pounds in “treating the ladies,” with the object of getting one of them to treat him with favor, but all his efforts were in vain. He gallantly proposed to Miss Philipse and donned his best suit for the occasion, but that cultured and charming lady courteously declined —the honor he would thrust upon her. Two years afterwards she married Lieut. Col. Roger Morris. » There is no doubt that Washington wag desperately In love with Mary Philipse, and her refusal of his suit was a keen disappointment to him. A curious sequel to his attachment for her occurred In the fact that her husband’s house in Morristown became Washington’s headquarters in 1776, both Morris and his wife being fugitive tories. History in this case might also have been materially changed had Mary Philipse become the wife of George Washington. In the spring of 1750 Washington met his fate. 11l health had taken him to Williamsburg to consult physicians. On this trip he met Mrs. Martha (Dandrldge) Custis, widow of Daniel Parke Custis, one of the wealthiest planters of the colony. At that time she was twenty-six years old, three months,younger than Washington, though she had been a widow seven years. In spite of his ill health he pressed his suit with as much ardor as he bad done in the case of Mary Philipse, and with better success. Though her first husband had been faithful and affectionate, he had not much appealed to her imagination, but the jbig, dashing Virginia colonel took her heart by storm. She favored his suit, and they became engaged. He ordered a ring from Philadelphia at a cost of £2 16s (two pounds and sixteen shillings), big price in those days, but they could not be immediately married, as military duty called him away. After several months in the field, during which time they saw each other only three or four times, yashingtou came back to Williamsburg, and. there feL St. Peter’s, church, on January 6, 1759, they were married. It was a grand wedding. attended by all the aristocracy of Virginia.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

The bride was attired In heavy brocaded white silk, interwoven with silver thread. Her shoes were of white satin and sparkled with buckles of brilliants. The bridegroom was costumed in a blue cloth coat, lined with red silk and ornamented with silver trimmings. His shoes and knee buckles were of solid gold, his hair was powdered, and a sword hung at his side. He appeared the beau ideal of a gallant and a gentleman. Mrs. Washington had four children by her former marriage—Martha, Daniel, John Parke, and a girl, who died in Infancy. Washington fathered her little progeny, but had none of his own. “Providence,” It was said, “had denied the great man children that he might be the father of the whole country.” Washington was fortunate In his

marriage. John Adams, in one of his jealous outbursts, exclaimed: “Would Washington have been commander of the Revolutionary army or president of the United States if he had not married the rich widow of Mr. Custis? Mrs. Washington’s third of the Custis property equaled “fifteen thousand acres of land, a good part of It adjoining the city of Williamsburg, several lots in the said city, between 2,000 and 3,000 negroes, and about £B,OOO or £IO,OOO upon bond,” estimated at the time as about £20,000 in all. Besides, this was increased by the death of the daughter, “Patsy” Custis, in 1773, by half her fortune, a sum of £IO,OOO. But it must be remembered that Washington’s colonial military fame had been entirely achieved before he had even met Mrs. Custis. Washington was worth about 8800,000, the richest man in his day. It has been said that his penchant for lovely women was acutely alive aU through his active career. Washington was human, and there Is no question that fair women always "had attracted h'im. In his sixty-sixth year he wrote, “Love is said to be an involuntary passion, and it is.” Therefore he contended that it “cannot be resisted.” Though a lover himself, Washington was not a .matchmaker. In a letter to the widow of Jack Custis (“Jack” his wife's son, who had been his ward) he writes: “I never did, nor do I believe ever shall give advice to a woman who is setting out on' a matrimonial voyage.” And again, “It has ever been a maxim with me through life, neither to .promote nor to prevent a matrimonial connection. ... I have always considered marriage as the most Interesting event of- one's life, the foundation of happiness or misery.” Yet In a letter to Eliza Custis Bates (the eldest of Jacky’s four children); dated January 6, 1796, Washington gives some interesting advice — “Neither shun by too much coyness the addresses of a suitable character whom you may esteem; nor encourage them by advances on your part, however predisposed toward them your inclination may be. “In choosing a partner for life, prefer one of your countrymen (by this I mean an American) of visible property and whose family Is known and whose circumstances (not depending on fortuitous matters) may not, like a foreigner’s, reduce you to the heartrending alternative of parting with him or bidding adieu to your country, family and friends forever. "In forming a connection of this durability, let the understanding as well as the passion be consulted; without the approbation of the first the indulgence of the latter may be compared to the rose, which will bloom, glow for a while, then fade and die, leaving nothing but thorns behind it There are other considerations, though secondary, nevertheless important. Among these congeniality of temper is essential, without which discord will ensue and that walk must be unpleasant and toilsome when two persons linked together cannot move In it without jostling each other.” Alas, Eliza Ann ("Betsy”) didn’t take Washington’s advice. She married Thomas Law, an Englishman, the nephew of Lord Ellensborough, yet it is said she was comparatively happy in her choice. Though Washington loved, and loved often, there is no doubt that a good deal of romance has been woven around his early career. According to some. Washington had “a rag on every bush,” from the vine-clad hills of old Virginia to Boston Commons. But the truth is Washington was not an indiscriminate lover, nor did he trifle with the affections of women. Despite the efforts of forgery and calumny no deed of shame in regard to the sex ever could be laid at his door. During the time he was president a Mrs. Hartley is mentioned to whom some say he was very devoted. Yeates says: "Mr. Washington once told me on a charge which I once made against the president at his own table, that the admira 1 tion he warmly professed for Mrs- Hartley was a proof of his homage to the worthy part of the sex, and highly respectful to his wife.”

GIRLS’ LOVE TRUST

Formed to Keep Outsiders From Bearing Sweethearts Away.

By DON LA GRANGE.

(Copyright. 1816. by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) When the new* reached Bloomfield that Sarah Carter, old maid, was to remove there from Hastings, there was a flutter among the marriageable girls. There were but six young men in the town, and the girls had formed a sort of trust to prevent outsiders from bearing any of them away. “Something should be done!” exclaimed one member of the trust. “Of course there should!” echoed a second. “If any man wanted to marry an old maid it would be different,” exclaimed a third, “but there’s no one here that will look at her twice. That will make her mad, and shell do her best to break up our friendships.” “I have heard that she has broken up no less than four matches over there.” “And I have heard that it was five! ’ “If she goes and tells our fellows that we went on a joy-ride with a drummer!” There were shrieks of despair from the entire bevy. Miss Sarah Carter made her appearance in due time, and convulsions followed. She owned to being thirtyeight, but did not look over twentyfive. She had a good figure; she was good looking. And if this weren’t bad enough, it was shown beyond a doubt that she had a number of thousand dollars in cash. Six girls shed tears of grief and indignation. Six young men announced that they didn’t even care for an introduction to Miss Carter, and then took advantage of the earliest opportunity to secure one. It was the married women of the town who let the old maid understand what thin ice she was sliding on, and the reply was: “Tell your daughters to wait before criticizing me. I may think best to get married some day, but I’ll give every girl in town a chance first.” It was a query with them whether the old maid, was in earnest, but she soon gave proof that she was. Number One man, who was engaged to Number One girl, had vowed a dozen times over that nothing but death could separate them, was introduced to Miss Carter in a store and called at her home. * On the fourth call he informed the old maid that if he was held to his engagement he should certainly commit suicide, as he had discovered that he and his fiancee were not congenial \ub to poetry. On his next call he boldly proposed marriage, and was surprised and bewildered when Miss Carter replied: "As you were born that way I suppose I shall have to overlook it." Miss Carter got word to girl Number One that she had refused an offer of marriage from the young man Number One, and after he was given a bad evening he returned to his loyalty. Then came the query from a dozfen people: “What do you suppose is the reason. she didn’t accept him ?” Number Two young man was ready to step in as Number One stepped out. He admitted his engagement to Number Two girl, but doubted if there would be a marriage. His fiancee had come out flat-footed and said she’d be hanged if she’d have a cat around the house after marriage. He being warmhearted toward cats, felt that it would be an unwise thing to be joined in the bonds of wedlock with such-a girl as that And then came a proposal. He loved. He loved as he had never loved before. Bhould it turn out that he had loved in vain the dark waters of Lake Erie should close over him. “Did you want me for a wife, sister, aunt or mother?” “Heartless woman!” “Run along, sonny, and grow some more and get older!” And he returned to the girl who didn’t love cats, Instead of plunging beneath the choppy waters of Lake Brie. And the cat girl was actually mad about it —mad 'at the old maid for refusing him, and there was contempt in her tones as she Inquired: “Who does Miss Sarah Carter think she is, anyhow?” A sewing machine man heard of Miss Carter and her money, and said to himself: “Now here’s where I show the world that a sewing machine man has a heart This old maid has been waiting for years, and years for an offer, but none has come. 1 will sacrifice myself.” And at his second call to see If she didn’t want to invest S3O in a machine that sewed and tucked and ruffled and hemmed and gathered, and did almost everything except the family washing, he drew a long breath and said: “I have thought I should never marry, but —■** “But now you think you will,” replied the maiden, to help him out. “I—l do.” “Then move right along to the widow Green’s. I believe she wants to get married, while I am sure I don’t” \ And when it became known that the old maid had given the unmarried females of Bloomfield still another chance, instead of gobbling the man up for herself, there wasn’t a word of praise for her. “She thinks nobody- good enough for-her-,” people said. “Think of the impudence of her picking out huebands far us!**

And just before the opening of prayer meeting at the Methodist church one evening, as eight or ten people were gossiping about the old maid, Deacon Pardon became so excited that he exclaimed: “By thunder, but she orter be arrested and made to give an account of herself! I’m telling you "that it ain’t natural—no, it ain’t natural.” A young druggist who had just started in business in Bloomfield had won favor In the eyes of at least three maidens, though he had as yet pledged himself to none. His trio of girls had been very bitter toward the old maid, believing that she would try to catch the druggist. Miss Carter had been in the store half a dozen times .to make small purchases, and, of course, had been treated politely, when one day the druggist found time to muse: “She’s an old maid, but I don’t believe she’s set in her ways. She has reached the age when she’s no longer frivolous, and she must know considerable about business.” And, after selling a box of pills to a farmer who complained about the pesky potato bugs, he went on: “There are three or four nice girls here, butjwho can tell what sort of wives they will make?” And, after selling a box of cough drops to a red-headed woman who observed that it looked like rain, the druggist went hack to his musing. “Yes, Miss Carter has got money, and she must find it a worry to marry for money, but if I had a tidy little sum I should know how to use it to good advantage. They say that Miss Carter is thirty-eight years old, while I am only twenty-four, but love does not take age into account.” That night he called at her home and said: “Miss Carter, lam a business man.” ■■ “Yes?” “I am called a rather blunt man.” “I see.” “Will you marry me?” “No, sir, I won’t!” “Will you tell me why?” he asked. “Because, sir, I am picking out husbands for others.” When it was reported that the old maid had turned down the druggist that one of the girls might have a chance at' him, an indignant meeting was held in almost every house. “What sort of a game is it?” was demanded. “Why doesn’t she lie and tattle and start rows the same as other old maids?” “I want to tell yon that this comes mighty nigh breaking down the bulwarks of American liberty!” said Deacon Pardon. At length one of the ministers was Induced to call on the old maid and ask for an explanation. “Have I been the cause of a single broken engagement?” she asked. “No-o-o.” “On the contrary, haven't I brought about quite a number?” “Yes.” “Do you know of a girl to Bloomfield tbat wants to marry but has no chance?" “I—l think not" "Then I don’t think I can be called upon to make further sacrifices.” And within a month she was married to a fruit-tree man, and Cupid was smiling on them, and Deacon Pardon was nibbing his leg and saying: “It’s a mighty funny way for an old maid to act, but I guess them bulwarks of liberty are all right—all right”

MEANING OF HORSE POWER

Term a* It la Used Today Is to a Certain Extent a Misleading One. Many years ago. before most of tbs motors of today were thought possible, man used the horse to turn the wheels of his machinery by means of a treadmill. In this way the horse came to stand for a unit of power according to the size of the machine he could work effectively. When engines began to displace horses, because they could develop several times the motive power, It was natural to refer to their capacity on the basis of a horse power unit, by speaking of an engine as being able to do the work of two, three, four, live or more horses. And so the custom was established of making use of the term as descriptive of power. The fact that a “horse power”—or simply b. p. as it generally figures in engineering descriptions really means a greater power than is expected of a horse and greater than he Is capable of. It means the power to lift 30,000 pounds one foot In one minute. The continued use of the old term to indicate this modern unit of power for an engine or motor illustrates how, for want of a Suitable substitute, custom will keep alive a term that has lost its apparent significance.

Old Btory Improved.

The otter day a man over In Jersey bought a flve-cent package of the solace of mankind. When he opened the carton and began using the chewing tobacco it contained he felt something hard between his teeth. Upon investigating he found that in some strange manner, not yet explained, he had become possessed of a diamond valued at $l6O. This tale is a new and interesting variant of the old familiar pearl-finding story that obtains currency every now and then. Generally the fortunate man discovers a pearl of great value in his half dosen of raws. But fihdlhg diamonds is .. really a , great, improvement. on . the. ******