, 1872-11-27
PERE HYACiNTHE'S WIFE.
The Love Story OF Two Continents
Told by Themselves


The Love Story or Two Continents
Told by Themselves.
fgor ~ Paris Correspondence Of the New Yo4e World
went the other day to see \ Mme; ana
lean newspapers had learned that the 70,
man for whom the first preacher Of France had
sacrificed Church and almost State had q - his
tory" She had been divorced from former
husband, had been fashlon-letter writer Of an
inferior grade, had been Vender OF corset6 IN
Paris, an adventurer of varied SUCCESS, Catnohc
and Protestant by turns, an unsuccessful Jour-
nalist, end had been born IN omo-
which last statement seemed to be the
only one to be regarded with favor. WIN al
lieye it. The history and the marriage we're
paxado1ical. Pere Hyacnthe had been over
rated. or my countrywoman, Emile Merraman,
had been shamefully treated By the CARELESS
pens of American journalists, l hked the
Pere's spunk in marrying, anu thouent ne nao
shown taste and good sense In marrying. az
American. wanted to tell him 80, wanted to
see his wife, and so I went to sec them.
Sending my card to Nine. Loyson, the servant
showed me into a little parlor, very plainly pns
neatly furnished A copy Of the New York In
depende,n and Christian Union, containing COM
ments on tile Pere's marriage, we're On the tao!e;
There was fine photograph OF Dollnger, gitt
from that German reformer to Emile Mefr1-
man. On tho mantel were medalions IN plaster
Of Pere Hyacinthe aud Professor Draper, o.
New York-both exceedingly well executed, and
the sculptor Emile Nerriman:
In few moments Nine. Loyson came in
with a pleasant: cordial greetlng-the patlof sne
thought little cool. and would not come III
her room where she had IRE? so she led the
chair and writing table lent IN air Of comfort
combined with business. The conversation led
at once into French customs, French society,
and travel I may as well write it down this
moment, for I am eager to say 1T: ! was
fectly how Pere Hyacinthe or any other man
would have sacrifceda very considerable amount
of things eacrifcable to win her,
In person, she is tall, proportional, With
hands to delight sculptor, not small and char m
and white, soft, and shapely as love could
mould, aud strong aud tender as love could de-
sire. She has O. handsome head, dark
brown hair, smoothly coiffured; dark,
brown eyes, full Of sweetness and
chanting mouth; and exquisite teeth. That the
Pero had an eye for personal charms it we're use
less to deny; that he had heart Tor the charms
Of mind and heart Of corresponding value is
equally true, for his wife, with nothing Of the
usual degree and conye-aes with an ease aud
elegance remarkable in an American woman. re-
1narkab1y well as most American women con-
verse. She betraJa not the least indication OF
smallness or frivo1ity. There is largeness,
sincerity, and earnestnesa of purpose in 81 Dhe
says and does tliat is most winning. She is
thoroughly religious without can't; her mind,
heart, and person form one complete har-
mony. And then she is SO genuine, 80 free
from artificial ahams OF dress or manner, that
ence, aud do not begin to wonder how
she would look il she had rings in her
ears, her hair put up IN pufs, or her waist laced
in one Of those patent corsets. She is simply
the delightful fact OF q large-hoarted, high
minded, handsome, and loyal woman, whom God
has called to be heroine, and who answers in
full to all the demands Of heroiam, which is very,
very rare. After relieving myself OF all that,
am conacioua OF conveying very meagTe idea OF
the woman who robbed me Of al hour that
afternoon in giving mo in return years worth
OF the chatter of commonplace women. After
being presented to the Pere LITER, remarked
that I WAS proud that he had welded an Ameri-
can. His face lighted radiantly with sweet
smile as he replied that he wss also. Pere Hya-
cinthe, by the way, while speaking. German and
Italian well, speaks no English, which surprised
me somewhat and ventured to say to Nine:
Loyson that one would think he had learned
English in their courtahip days.
sfAh, I think no had no conrtship days, IN
the usual acceptation OF that term" she replied.
ssWe saw each other rarely, and the question
that filed our hearts was one that made us sad
rather than joyful"
oYou first saw him in Notre Dame, did you
not?'
smiled as she began the history, as al women
must when. recalling the beginning Of happy
destiny the first time gaW him Was in the
little convent Of -: That Was fire years ago.
had heard Of Pere Hyacinthe, but as was
strongly opposed to Romnn1sm had no desire
either to see him or meet him, although greatly
interested in religious movements. But had q.
friend who was Catholic, who prevailed upon
me to go with her one morning early to the con-
vent the Pere WAS to hold service there for
the nuns at o'clock, and vent. I can assure
You I waa not much impressed in his favor. He
then wore the rough dress Of the monk, his head
WAS shaved and ho was barefooted, I met him
again afterwards and Vas more fagorably i'm
preased with the man. I was in Rome when he
Was called there by the Pope, and SEW him more
there than at any other time Or place. But the
whole life of Catholic monks vas to me- so hor-
rible Every human feeling, human sympathy,
and personal individuality YVES so utterly re-
pressed. I Knew the Pere's aster. She was in
4 convent, but she never could see her brother
alone: Two others must be nth her when he
came to see her, and she could never look in his
face: unless he closed his eyes, and she the
same when he looked in hers He was not per-
mitted to ride in the same ctrriage with his own
mother. It ali seemed SO terribly unnatural
such q persistent effort to not out Of the heart
and soul all human loves AMI feelings"
"a Catholic gentleman was telling me- the.
other day that the Pere's marriage has had no
effect whatever upon the Catho1c priesthood;
that none have expressed either sympathy or
congratulations Is this true?" asked.
s:Quite the reyorse," sho replied; .sbut it has
not appeared on the surface. Not day passes
but the Pere receives letters and personal visits
from priests who declare themselves anxious
and ready to follow bis example. One was here
only to-day NTH woman whom he had loved
for years, but had notdared to marry. 1t ID bis
intention now to do &C."
stYou think the Pero's example must produce
| g revolution in the Catholic Church, do you
not ?" ,,.
Ill. "Sa1g9g 5 ago. from present Indications it can
! "He intends to preach again soon, believe ?"
."Yes, sometime next month but no decisive
arrangements as to place have as Jet been
] made"
/ The Pere, as his wife calls him, was arrayed
in the customary black dress of non-pIotes-
eiona1 gentleman, but bears in his handsome
face an indescribable something OF the air OF
priest. He is one Of the finest Of conversation,
alists. He is winning, strong, earnest, and tull
of feeling. His warm human sympathies must
have made him delightful confessor. All me !
should think priest Of senslbl1ities would
fall under tie burden Of the condolences women
pour into hik soul. It is said men confess also,
but-the IS 'confdences of priest" has one ever
written them.