The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-04-06

ter, ana Immediately orderedthe prisoners
release. The tireless determination, the
dauntless courage of this heroic woman
had gained the victory at last. Love had
worked Its perfect Work-the wife had
won her husband anew.
The domestic happiness, the strong, un-
wavering support which Washington,
Jefferson, Adams, Hancock, Putnam,
Gates, Green and Knox received from
their wives are too well known to need
aught but q reminder here. The wives of
the officers followed their husbands from
comp to camp, lighting the dark cloud of
war with their smiles, and softening its
miseries by their tenderness. Even through
the terrible winter Of Valley Forge, these
noble women made spot of summer in
many chilled and aching heart. In the
Continental Congress many a patriots
soul was strengthened 10 go on in the DIES.
perate struggle by the love-letters which
he carried In his pocket. Who can read
those of Abigail Adams, and not see the
pulsings of her great heart through all the
public life OF her husbands These women.
made greater sacrifices than did the men.
The men gave their all; upon their coun-
try's altar the women laid their all and
their husbands. John Hancock came from
the hall of Congress to lis wife's apart
ment one day, and announced to her that
he had given his consent to the burning
of Boston, as soon as it should be evident
that the city must fall into the enemy's
hands. The large wealth of this noble
couple was all centered in the doomed
city, and with stroke of the pen they
were beggared, should the last resort be
needed. The young wife not only hearth
~ consented, but, having promised that
day to attend Quaker meeting, she went
with her accustomed cheerfulness, and sat
three long, silent hours, with the terrible
secret working in her brain and bosom.
Janet Montgomery sent forth her newly
won husband to fall before Quebec; and
through her whole life her deepest solace
was the thought of how nobly her young
Irish soldier-lover redeemed the pledge
he gave her, when, parting with him for
the last time, he answered her charge to
be strong and waver not" You shall
never blush for your Montgomeryr'
So the woman larger sacrifice was too
often accepted.
Love :ules the court, the camp, the grove"
The War for Independence was no excep-
ton to this law. Many of our greatest
men were turning the soft side Of their
ASo1 - W tAC ktOW VI WOu1du lOtC, even
while with the keen edge of their intel
lects or their swords they were cleaving
asunder the empire of Britain. Jefferson
was singing love-songs to charming
widow, while out of the stamp-act chaos
his brain was evolving the immortal Dec
laration. Mrs. Martha Shelton was rich,
fascinating, and only twenty three. Many
were the young Virginian planters in love
with her person and her estate. One day
two suitors approached the mansion from
different directions, each one on the same
mission-to declare his love. They met
in the hall. From within came strains of
music, and soft, low voices singing love-
song. The two at once recognized Jeffer.
sons voice and his touch on the violin.
They saw at once that the prize had been
won, and they withdrew without entering.
Jefferson loved his violin. When the old
home was burned, the asked the faithful
Are all the books destroyed"
" Yes, massa, dey is; but we saved de tid-
die"
Hancock's courtship went gayly on
while he was riding the crest of the Rev.
wave. At the time of his mar
rage he was concealed, with Samuel Ad-
ans, in the house of Thaddeus Burr, at
Litchfield, Connecticut, and, not daring
to go to Boston for his bride, she came to
him; and for some time the happy pair
lived in the strictest seclusion, having
their meals sent to their room.-Charles
II. W00dmdn, in ApDlet0n's Jon rnaL,