The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-11-06
Devoted Wives.
From the Philadelphia Progress.


History from the twelfth century, when
the wife of the noblest crusader proved her
lover by bravery and self.denial, to the pres
ent day, is replete with instances Of ..copjugal
affection and heroic virtue in women. 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 wound the King had received
from poisoned arrow while in Palentine.-
Then we have that remarkable instance, the
devoted attendance Of the wife of Sir Wal
ter Raleigh to quote from. Not only did
she share with Sir Walter the privations and
sufferings of his cruel twelve years incar-
ceration, but after his execution remained
his faithful widow for twenty years, in
deed, 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 Louyestine. He
had been permitted to receive his books in
a large trunk, and these wers often ex-
changed for others through the same me-
dunn. His wife. observing that the guards
gradually ceased to examine the trunk, and
having made number Of holes in different
places to admit the air, induced Grotius to
place himself within. She closed the trunk,
and when the guards entered she stood by
the curtains, feigning 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.
Among others that Of Madame Lavalette,
who effected her husbands rescue by TAX
ing his place in the condemned cell. When
the chiefs of the different departments were
trying to vindicate themselves to the King
from any blame in the escape, His Majesty
coolly replied, II do not see that anybody
has done his duty except Madame Lava
letter.
No later than 1856, a drama full Of sol
emn sweetness was enacted almost in our
midst, too, proving not only the strength OF
wifely devotion and courage, but that wo-
man, when taught can, even under the most
adverse circumstances, as well steer ship
as ply needle. refer to that bright girl
Of fortunes prosperous home in East Bos-
ton who married the gallant Captain Patton.
In the first days of their honeymoon he
was offered magnificent command which
being refused on the plea of not wishing to
leave his bride, he received permission In a
years time to again assume the position, his
wife having leave to accompany him, which
she did. From the outset she made herself
the companion, 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 captain 3 enemy on board,
who for some reason Of his own was bent on
carrying the ship into Valparaiso, which
would have been in direct disobedience Of
orders and have compromised the hoaor Of
the captain. Before reaching Cape Horn,
Captain Patton's health began to decline,
until he was taken down with violent fever,
which in few months ended in hopeless in.
sanity. Now was the opportunity for the
mate to achieve his purpose, and he COM
menced by trying to intimidate the heroic
wife of his captain, threateningIher with the
responsibility of every life on board, her
own included, il she presumed to interfere.
She replied that her husband would not
| trust him when he was well and she would
not trust him now that he was i'll. She as
sembled the crew, laid before them the
facts, asking them to accept her authority