Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-10-17
,yoman tbe same Everywhere.

The self sacrificing devotion OF woman's love,
is found. we are happy to be told, all over the
world A traveller in the East gives beautiful
" poetical picture of wife, in the interior oi In
dia -
"Jt was during one of my long rides through an
exclusive rice producing district OF the interior 0,
Cpylon. that encountered most unexpected anu
remarkable uhject-a white cody. was walking
nv horse towards the nearest halllng place;
through beautifully wooded valley lntersecleo
with running streams, rice grounds, ana oaHiooo
tones. when. at some distance below me, per-
ceyed staggering along under load OF ripe plan
tains, swung in the ordinary native manner oy
means of 'pngo,' or yoke across the shoulders
a white man dressed in the common garo OF the
country, and in every way resembling natiVe'
save in the color of his skin. lie was soon ios'
in the distance, and rode on, ponderlng over lne
strange sirht Halfan-hour took ME to HUE
plateau at the extremity OF one of the many gorges
in that wild country, in the midst of which was
one OF the prettiest little cottages and gardens II
would be possible to see in any country. Hall
hidden amidst waving. green clusters OF plantains
and pomegranates, the little white cottage might
have belonged to some Cingalese Paul and Vr-
rinia. some oriental Savoyards, so sweetly pic
turesque was it, amidst that savage but fertile
country.
81 made my way to it; and pulling up at the
little verandah in front for cup of water, was
startled ct being addressed by a young English
woman, clad in the loose, flowing robes OF the
Kandyan females. There were one or two dus-
white. sunburnt little children gambolIlng a
bout under some shady breadfrut trees IN the rear
of the house, playing with motley assemolage
of Young pigs, kids, dogs, and no end OF long-le
ged. tailess fowls. My new acquaintance was
very reserved, and apologized for the absence OF
her husband, who, she said, had gone to the next
bazaar for supplies. A good draught of milk sat-
isfied my thirst; and, flinging handful of small
coin amongst the children and armyard lnhabl
tants. bade the mother good morning, and rode
on my way, pondering how 1t could be that these
fellow counrymen were thus slngularly placed a.
monpst the Cinghalese peasantry OF the land.
ii learnt from the keeper of the nearest rest
house for travellers, the little history OF his con
ple and. touching as it was, felt glad that had
not put any questions on the subject TO the young
woman at the cotage-lhe real heroine OF the
brief story. She had been engaged 10 her present
husband for some years before he came out to
Ceylon as coffee planter. He was prosperous,
and wrote home for her TO join him, which she
did but. 10 her sorrow, found that he had given
way to the bane Of the East-drink. Her love
for him. however, underwent no change; strong
ly reliant on her persuasive and guiding Influence
over him. she became his wife in the full hope OF
saving him from degradation and early DEATH
The sacrifice was made in vain. His career was
soon run from one situation to another he passed
down and down, still lower, though many would
have helped and saved him for his wife's sake and
his chiIdren's At length there was no refuge for
them but to try and cultivate plot of ground E.
and rear food for themselves friendly chief
rave them field for rice, garden, and cottage,
and the wife, still clinging to her DID, fond faith
of saving him from evil, followed him to the jun
gle. and with her own hands tended his wants.
NV informant told me that the white master had
left off drinking arrack, and was in fact, sober,
hard working man, but so beaten down, so cowed,
and hopeless Of his future, that he cared for moth
ing bey ond his present life. They grew all they
needed, and, from time to time, he carried load
of fruit to the nearest bazaar to barter it for salt,
or piece of cotton CLOTH And so they lived in
the midst of their gardens and their rice fields"