The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-01-23
@tsreIIaneoas SeIertions.
AWIFE'S STORY.

to me just at q time when my bark
was fast nearing the pillows. 1t was
but short time--three years-that
had called her mine; 'but looking
back into all the past, tremble to
think what might have been had her
presence never frightened my life
land taught me my duty.
1t was just before the late war be-
tween the north and south that I be-
came the wife of a navy officer. He
was many years my senior, but it was
a union of hearts for all. He was
Preserved and dignifed as became his
position; l was gay and ight-hearted
almost to frivolty, 1 think now. He
often pleasantly chided me for my
Igayety, saying ought to settle down
now l had such an old-fashioned hus.
band. But l knew he was most
pleased when l was most cheerful, SC
accepted his chidings in the spirit
in which they were administered.
At the breaking out of the war my
husband had been ordered to l.
a small station created for the emer.
gency, here to take command of O
vessel being fitted up for service in
the Missippi squadron. Of course
/ accompanied him. l. was 9
Ismall town of no note until war con
verted it into naval station, thu:
bringing labor and money to its in
ihabitants, OF the society the Least
said the better.
There were quite number ofofi
GERS stationed there, most of then
married men, who, with their wives
made up our society. We were con
stantly resorting to ways and means
to kill time. There was one family
of some pretensions in the place, who
frequently joined our circle, and tc
whose house we were quite as fre.
quently invited, but owing to my
husbands retired habits, we, oursel-
yes seldom went. This was not alto
lgether satisfactory to one of my tenn
persment, and when would hear the
officers wives talking over these fes-
ltivities, l longed with all the fervol
lof a child to participate in them
"You are burying yourself alive, "
one would say, and another would
add, "You are old as your husband
now" And Mrs. Stanhope, the wife
of our surgeon, once advised me to
go without him; "as other ladies do,'
she added. But my pride and com
mon sense forbade that. I had al
wages considered it wife's duty to
respect the wishes OF her husband,
and / was alittle surprised that Mrs.
Stanhope, q lady at least fifteen years
my senior, should thus advise me.
One night the officers were to give
a ball on board the boat then in nv
husbands command. 1t was the
first regular ball they had giYen-the
previous entertainments were merely
soeial parties. Arrangements had
been made to make this quite q
lgrand affair for that out of the way
place.
Ny husband had not altogether ap-
lproyed of the measure, although be
had consented to it.
"You will surely attend" 1 re-
marked, as he expressed to me his
disapprobation. at being on board
our own vessel, it would hardly look
well to stay away"
'FYes, I will go, but Clara, 1 heart
lily disapproYe of such festivities at
a time when our country is so over
shadowed with war"
The evening of the ball at length
arrived. All so far had been entire
ly favorable, and a delightful time
was anticipated.
The dance had already commenced
when an orderly came in search of
my husband. There had come a
dispatch ordering my husband to re-
port to M at once. 81 leave you
in charge of Liutenant Norris p he
said, as he impaired the news to me,
at the same time bowling to the Lieu
tenant, who was with him.
81 accept the trust" he replied
gracefully.
81 shall probably be back the day
after tomorrow at the farthest," he
continued, and bidding me d-bye,
we parted.
Lieutenant Morris was the Oldest
officer in the squadron there except
my husband. He was unmarried,
very afable in his manners and up
right in department, and a universal
favorite.
Flushed with gayety, 1 entered in
to the enjoyments of the hour with
a keen relish.
"You are fine dancer, Mrs. B., :"
said my companion as he led me to a
seat after the quadrille. "How is it
you have never attended our little
select dances before%
"Myhusband does not enjoy them"
/ answered.
dis that sufficient reason?" he
asked, in half whisper.
81 think So" l replied, a little
haughtily.
'Then you are no champion for
woman's rights he answered gai-
ly,
SIS it fair 10 judge me by that?p
perhaps not. But see, they are
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