The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-06-03
ga Grent Mans Wife,"
by THE LADY HERSELF


AsI have reason to believe that the communi-
ty in general, AMI the women i'll particular con
slider my lot to be an unusually favored one,
beg leave to make my own representation there
of, so that when my history Is ended and nave
stepped aside to make room Tor IA successor, Sne
NAV not be necessta ted as | was, to enter ig-
norantly upon the experiences OF Greatlnian
wife. My husband, as is very well known, is
one of the very best specimens of his sex. Few
can look upon him without sincere admiration,
no one can listen to the inspired eloQuence with
which he addresses the public, without desire
to know him in his private and lani lar conVef-
saton. Such a profound knowledge OF human
nature as he displays astonisheS and interests
men while the appreciation.of her sexand the ten
.derregard for her sensitive and deep feeling nature
which he shows sets all the women wild to make
his personal acquaintance-to become his perso-
nal friends. They look at me, and can dis
tinctly see that they envy me my rare posses
sion of husband who, while he eXcelS III all
strong and awe inspiring elements OF manhood,
while he is able TO command and to protect, Is
also gifted with such clear perception OF the
wants and necessities OF womanS nature such
Nenerous franknesS in oWlng them, ana Sucn
tenderness and skill in mnlsering to them. vi
the latter particular they are, IN their own minds,
quite as certain as OF the two foregoing ones,
and the married ladies' look wisttully at their
own husbands thinking that they should be per-
fectly happy if their lord and master would but
take pattern by mine. AS for the unmarried
women, they are all constant aud anxious obser-
vers of the state Of nay health, which can say,
for their encouragem MT, is ''very miserable,
but quite as well us will be that OF the one OF
their number who shall be second lady elect,
after she shall have been, few years, the great
mans wife.
And now will lift the curtain that hides the
happiness which the world is all astonished to
know-whch the women would almost eXtIn-
gush me to inherit.
From a glowing and triumphal Grafton which
like intense fire fused all the hearts that felt its
heat, my great man comes TO his home-to De
to me in private as much more than other men
are to their wives, as he is to the public more
than other speech-makers and leaders are? NO,
not that--but to go exhausted to his couch and II
he don't sleep, to cog III utter silence, when l
must not break under any consideration. you've
seen how Goals glow when they arc blowed upon
you've seen, too, that the more powerful the
wind that blows them, and the brighter was the
light they emitteu while thy felt 1t, the sooner
they hid their glow in ashes when the wind no
longer blew. My husband is coal whose heart,
indeec is fire; but only to the public breath
does he give forth his brightness ana his heat
When he come. to me tie ashes covers h M and
he shoulders till again "a great mans duties
call him forth to action
When be is by any chance for few hours
at home he is SO beset by callers men whose
business is all important and vely pressing that
1t were a mere insane deluson to suppose that
can occupy his thoughts, or gain access to his
ear. When the press OF callers is over he mast
be let entirely alone that he may study up his
next lecture or report, something else per-
tanning to greatness.
When the company have all gone home, or
have all been made quiet and comfortable Tor
the night and when | know that there Is Tor
that time no more writing to be done, have
4
to expect few moments quiet chat or consulta-
tion upon matters or things pertaining TO family
.expensesto the care and management OF our
thirteen little children. / have ev, II allowed
hope to lead me to the length of looking for a
very comforting hour of sympathetic and encour-
aging communion from my rich hearted and
mighty spouse; but the result has almost always
been that, when al last we were actually shut
into our chamber alone, and had limited at my
purpose and wishes, and he had smiled affection
,ately, and held out his arms as my resting place
while we talked, and had taken my nghtiul
and valued place, and had uttered my first few
sentences and then paused for responsive words,
felt that there was increasing heavness in the
head that had leaned SO lovingly on mine when
ne folded me in his arms, and on extricating
myself from the now relaxing embrace, dis
covered that my great man was conquered by a
greater than he. As often aforetime, in like
circumstances, he was sound asleep.
IL don't make me angry 10 be mus dlsappoih-
ted know that my husband is always over
worked, and the moment the excitement that
keeps him "a-gong' is over, he is overcome OF
reactive stupidity, or of sleep. He cannot help
it, and why should be vexed or contend against
fate. But my heart is a womans heart, and il
is not possible at such times it should not feel
discouraged and deeply grieyed.
wake him, and as nelp him TO unrobe, he,
sleepiy conscious that somehow he is dlsapp oin'
ting and sadduinu. me- mutters something about
$50 worn out-must start Off early in the NOR
nng--sorry my dear but u" and upon the
pillow torgets what else he would say.
With The morning light he is astir, and before
lhaye time to say dozen words TO him he is OF
10 some great" occasion or performance, no