The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-05-07
6 40 gga "a nsiss STATE SENTINEL WEDNE

tendance of the wife of Sir Walter Raleigh
to quote him. Not only did she share with
Sir Walter The privations and sufferings of
bis cruel II years incarceration, but, after
his execution, remained his faithful widow
for 20 years; indeed, to the hour of her
death. The quick wit and clever acting of
Marie, wife OF the celebrated Grotius, hber-
ated him from his imprisonment in the cas-
tie Louyestine. He bad been permitted to
receive his books in a large
changed for others through the
same medium. 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 OF the bed. feigning
much distress ct 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
red 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 the
chiefs of the different departments were try
ing to vindicate themselves to the king from
6uy UioiuS III tHC SSCdpC, LIS ludJcSly COOly
replied, II do not see that anybody has done
his duty, except Madame Lavalette.'
No later than 1856, O drama full of solemn
sweetness was enacted almost in our midst,
too, proving not only the strength Of witely
devotion and courage, but that woman,
when taught, can even under the most adj
verse circumstances, as well steer a ship as
ply the needle. l refer to that bright girl
of fortunes prosperous home in East
Boston who married the gallant Captain
Patton. In the first days of their
honeymoon he was offered magnifi-
cent 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 did. From
| the outset she made herself the companion,
helper and pupil of her husband. She stud
| led 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 disobedience of orders, and have COM
promised the honor of the captain. Before
reaching Cape Horn, Captain Patterson's
| health began to Decline until he was taken
down with violent fever, which in a few
months ended in hopeless insanity. Now
WIS the opportunity for the mate to achieve
1
! to intlmidate the 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 WE'LL and she
would not trust him now that he was i'll.
She assembled the crew, laid before them
| the facts, asking them to accept her author
ity, and save the honor of their captain.
They unanimously agreed. regarding al.
most with superstition the eloquent appeal
of this loyal woman. They soon learned to
alone with. men, raving husband
to protect crew to command
their lives to preserve and an
enemy to watch; she had indeed herculean
task before her. Nightly she could be seer
at her studies, now among medical books
| which could instruct her in her husbands
case, now keeping the reckoning and max
ing entries in the log. At noon and mid
night, on deck taking observations; she
| marked the charts without mistakes, and
carried the ship into port in fine condition
The husband blind, deaf, delIrious and
dying; the wife calm, grave, careworn and
resolute.
Another incident of wifely consideration
and delicacy of feeling was that of tbs
| young village belle in marrying the homes
but illiterate locksmith. The latter wa.
asked to sign his name, whereupor
maiden receiving the pen did the same
to the expressed establishment of her brides
maids. "Hushi' the wife replied; "wouli
you have me put my husband to the blush
Tomorrow will begin to teach HIM writ
ing" Love is said to laugh at locksmiths
in this case he seems to have given pity, hi
nearest kin instead of mirth, his direst foe
1t was Aristotle who laughed at love t.
Alexander, upon which the maiden Of
Alexander's fancy revenged herself upor
Al l.. L. - L T.
with her loving arts and wiles that he car
ried her on his back and passed the emper
or's window, who, seeing them, said
"Since love has power to melt the frosts o
age, it is not surprising that it should kin
die up the fires of youth"