The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-04-30
FOR THE FAIR SEX.
Devoted wives.

Devoted wives
History from the twelfth century, when
the wife of the noblest crusader proved her
love by bravery and self-denial to the
present day, is replete with instances of con-
! iugal affection and heroic virtue in woman.
| We all remember the story of Eleanor,
| Queen of Edward L., who, disregarding all
danger TO herself, extracted with her own
| lips the poison from a wound the king had
received from n poisoned arrow while in
! Palestine Then we have that remarkable
| instance, the devoted attendance of the wife
of Sir Walter Raleigh to quote from. Not
only did she share with Sir Walter the pri-
vations and suferings of his cruel twelve
years incarceration, but, after his eXecu-
| tion, remained his faithful widow for twen-
| ty years; indeed to the hour of her death.
The quick wit and clever acting of Marie,
wife of the celebrated Grotius, liberated
him from his Imprisonment in the Castle
! Louvestne. He had been permitted to re-
ceive his books in a large trunk, and these
were often exchanged for others through
the same medium. His wife, observing that
the guards gradually ceased to examine the
! trunk, and having make a number of holes
| in different places to admit of the air, in
duced Grotius to place himself within. She
closed the trunk, and when the guards en-
| tered she stood by the curtains of the bed,
! feignng much distress at the indisposition
! of her lord. The ruse was successful, and
from her own confession the authorities
learned the means of escape she was not
punished, but allowed to rejoin her husband
in his liberty. Many such instances oc-
CURED in France during the reign of terror.
Among others, that of Madame Lavalette,
who effected her husbands rescue by taking
his place in the condemned cell. When
I.l IL & Al. !. i
trying to vindicate themselves to the king
from any blame in the escape, his majesty
coolly replied, al do not see that anybody
has done his duty, except Madame Lava
lette."
No later than 1885, drama full of solemn
sweetness was enacted almost in our midst,
too, proving not only the strength of wiiely
devotion and courage, but that woman,
when taught, can, even under the most adj
verse circumstances as well steer n ship as
ply needle. / refer to that bright girl. of
fortunes prosperous home in East Boston
who married the gallant Capt. Patton. In
the first days of their honeymoon he was Of
fered magnificent command, which being
refused on the plea of not wishing to leave
his bride, he received permission in years
time again to assume the position, his wife
having leave to accompany him, which she
ulu, TIOul lIG outset sIl6 uldNG HeTSpll lnG
coApanion, helper and pupil of her hus-
band She studied navigation, and was
soon enabled to take observations, steer by
the chart and keep the ships reckoning.
The first mate was the captains enemy on
board, who for some reason of his own was
bent on carrying the ship into Valparaiso,
which would have been in direct disobedi-
ence of orders, and have compromised the
honor of the captain. Before reaching Cape
Horn, Capt Patton's health began to de-
cline, until he was taken down with violent
fever, which in few months ended in
hopeless insanity. Now was the opportunity
for the mate to achieve his purpose, and he
commenced by trying to intimidate the
J heroic wife of his captain, threatening her
| with the responsibility of every life on
board, her own included. if she presumed to
interfere. She replied that her husband
had not trusted him while he was well, and
she would not trust him now that he was
f i'll. She assembled the crew, laid before
? them the facts, asking them TO accept her
: authority, and save the honor of their cap
E tain. They unanimously agreed, regard
ing almost with superstition the eloquent
appeal of this loya woman. They soor
learned to love and reverence her; "A young
! wife, alone with men, raving husband tC
protect, crew to command, their lives tC
preserve and an enemy to watch she had
indeed herculean task before her. Nightly
she could be seen at her studies, now among
medical books which could instruct her il
!, her husbands case, now keeping the reckon
. ing and making entries in the log. At noor
and midnight, on deck taking observations
= she marked the charts without mistakes
y and carried the ship into port in fine condi
q ton. The husband blind deaf, deliriou
! and dying; the wife calm, grave, carewor
\ and resolute
Another incident of wifely consideration
!: and delicacy of feeling was that of tn,
young village belle in marrying the homes
o but illiterate locksmith. The latter wa
@ asked to sign his name, whereupon he mad
+ his cross, and the maiden receiving the pei
h did the same, to the expressed astonishmen
e of her bridesmaids. Hush :" the wife re
piled, " would you have me put my hus
: band to the blush? Tomorrow | win be
|, gin to teach him writing" Love is said t
IS laugh at locksmiths; in this case he seem
C to have given pity, his nearest kin, instea
of mirth his direst foe 1t was Aristotl
who laughed at love to Alexander, upo
which the maiden of Alexander's fancy re
venged herself upon the aged philosophe
e by so enchanting him with her loving art
and wiles that he carried her on his bac
II and passed the emperor's window, who, see
ing them, said "Since love has power {
, melt the frosts of age it is not surprisin
- that it should Iindle up the fires of youth.
- -IhiLddeLphid Progress