John Marshall.
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1781-82. He then held the title of captain but the mistake was corrected through the and his reputation for genius and bravery kind offices of a cousin of the young lady. having preceded his appearance at the ball, He had surreptitiously cut a lock of her hair the younger ladies, much interested in the which he sent to the disappointed lover, and fact that he was expected, began it is related, Marshall, supposing that she had sent it, re "sportive projects for captivating him." newed his suit, which resulted in their mar Mary Willis Ambler, then only fourteen riage. They lived together forty-eight years. years of age, overhearing the remarks and The peculiar sweetness of Marshall's char plans of the acter was exalted others, s o m ein a loving de what older than votion through herself, assured out the entire them, jokingly, forty-eight years that they were of their married giving them life to the com selves useless panion who, on trouble as she account of his intended to cap well known and ture the young unswerving loy man and thus alty, was spoken eclipse them all. of by his ac At the first in quaintances as troduction tо unquestionably Miss Mary, Mar a model wife. shall became im With her he was mediately devot at all times most ed to her. Her tenderly consid sister s u b s eerate. For many quently narrating years she had the event, states been an invalid, that Mary had and there is not at a glance recorded in all discerned his history a more MARY WILLIS MARSHALL (née Ambler). character and beautiful devo Wile of Chief-Justice Marshall. understood how tion of husband to appreciate it, and wife than while I, ex that felt and pecting to see an Adonis, lost all desire displayed by Marshall. He never ceased of becoming agreeable in his eyes when to be the lover of their earlier years. I beheld his awkward figure, unpolished Mrs. Marshall was a beautiful and cul tured woman, and had her health permit manners and negligent dress. ted, she would have been an ornament A son of the Chief Justice, having been re quested to relate the circumstance of his to society. Her complaint was such that father's courtship, gave the information that the noise of celebrations, particularly, an it was at first unsuccessful, for the lady, be noyed her, or, to speak with greater accu ing young and diffident, had said "no" when racy, they affected her nerves unpleasantly. she really intended to give an affirmative On such occasions early in the morning it response to Marshall's proposal for her hand; was the custom of Judge Marshall to accom
