The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-11-18
FEMALE HEROISM EXEMPLIFIED.


FEMALE HEROISM EXEMPLfFIED.
The female character when life passes smooth
and tranquil, appears to be made of tenderness and
dependence. 1t shrinks from the gaze of the rude,
and recois from the slightest touch of the impudent
But however it may appeal to these circumstances,
certain it is, when dangers impend traits of heroism
and intrepldy dart on amid this tenderness and de-
pendence, like lightning. from the soft feecy clouds
of summers evening So, when we stand by the
oceans side, and view its smooth and tranquil bos
ON, we little suspect the energy of its waves when
lashed into fury by the winds The following fact
confirms these remarks:
In the year 1850, Henry and Emily, new mar
ried pair, and children of wealthy parents in Bos-
ton, left their parental abode, determined to effect
permanent settlement at a place called D,
(Mass) Emily had been brought up in the midst
of affluence and was unacquainted with dstres and
poverty, only in the abstract. Though her charac-
ter has made of all qualities which most admire
in her sex, but no one would have suspected the
presence of those which her subsequent life abun-
dainty evnced.
After the lapse Of five years, their house and farm
presented the appearance of neatness and comfort,
except being sometimes startled from their midnight
sumbers, by the yell of the savage, or the howl of
the wolf, they had themselves suffered molesta-
ton. The prospect from the house was bounded
on all sides by the forest, except in one direction,
where there was deep valley, from which the wood
mad been cleared to open a communication with the
adjoining town The rays nf the setting sun, shoot
ing almost horizontally into the valley enabled the
eye to reach great distance, and formed great
contrast to the deep gloom which bounded both sides
OF the way. 1t was through this opening that Hem
ry might frequently be at the close of the day,
returning from labor in a distant field Ii was here
too, ths the eye OF affection and hope first caugh
view of beloved object.
One evening at the end of June. Henry was
seen about half way up the valley, his return
home. At this instant a tall, stout Indian leaped
upon the unprotected and unsuspicious Henry, and
appeared to be taking his scalp. The forest around
rang with savage yels. and four indians were soon
bounding over the fields towards the house. In an
instant, the tender and depending Emily trans
formed into the bold and intrepid heroine. She de-
beratey fastened the doors, removed her two sleep
ing children into the cellar, and with her husbands
rifle, stationed at the window facing the indians
The foremost Indian had just disappeared behind
small hllock but as he to view, he fell in the
grasp of death. She hastily reloaded and anxious
y awaited the approach of the three remaining in-
dians, who appeared to be exhausted with rnnning
Two of them met fate similar to that of their COM
panlon but the third succeeded in reaching the
the door, and commenced cutting it down with his
hatchet. Our heroine, with admirable presence Of
mind, recollecting that she had kettle of boiling
water above the stairs, took it and poured the same
down on this son of the forest, who that instant
looking up, received the whole contents in his face
and eyes, Blinded, scolded by the water, and rem
dered desperate by being thus out-witted by wo-
man, (Which of all things a savage abhors,) he ran
furously round the corner of the house, and stum-
bled into deep well.
Freed from the immediate personal danger, she
became anxious to know the fate of her husband.
On looking toward the spot where he had been sez-
ed upon by the indian, she beheld him not only alive
but struggling with fearful odds against his foe,
both covered with blood. She Immediately ran to
his relief, and unperceived, deliberately despatched
ball through the head of his adversary. On the
discharge of her gun, both fell the one in the con-
vulsions of death, the other by exhaustion. The
restored to his mother earth the other restored
to the arms of an affectonate and truly heroic wife.
Mdrims for IVires-The subjoined Maxims for
Wives are so excellent, that they are supposed to
have been composed by Lndy. If so, some pat
tern OF good husbands ought to set himself to the
task OF presenting four maxims on the other side
to match.
L. good wife always receives her husband with
smiles-leaying nothing undone to render home
agreeasc-and gratefully rcciprocates his kindness
aud attention.
Ii. She studies to discover means to crafty his
incinations, in reg,rd to food and cookery-in the
management of her famiy-in her dress, manners
and department
Ill She never attempts to rule, appear to rule,
her husband. Such conduct degrades husbands ;
and wives always partake largely in the degradation
Of their husbands.
Nv. She, in every thing reasonable, complies
with his wishes and, if possible, anticipates them
An apothecary asserted in large company thai
all bitter things were hot" "No," replied a ply
sieian, I" a bitter cold day is an exception"