The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-03
Senator Wade and the Officers
Wife.
General Brisbin in the Philadelphia Press

General Brisbin in the Philadelphia Press
The ladies were never afraid of Mr.. Wade,
in certain way, as they often were of public
men. Wade's heart was as pure as a spring of
water, and they seemed instinctively to under
stand he was good man. One of the bright
est and most accomplished ladies in Washing
ton one day heard lady friend of hers say
"What rough old bear of man that Mr..
Wade isl"
'Oh, no! Oh, no." she exclaimed, holding
up both her hands, don't say that; he is one
of the gentlest and best of men," And good
reason had this charming woman to think so,
as will presently appear.
At the beginning of the war an army officer,
serving in Texas, sent his resignation to
brother, to be used only in case his State Sc
ceded from the Union. The brother, who was
a strong Secessionist, at once sent in the resig-
nation, and it was accepted. His State did
not go out of the Union, but the officer went
out of the army. Soon after forwarding his
resignation the officer made up his mind to
stick to the Union, come what might. He be-
haved with great gallantry and saved some
three hundred soldiers to the Union army
when General Twiggs surrendered. With these
he made his way North, and marched all the
way to Fort Riley, Kansas. He was dumb
founded OH reaching this place to learn he was
no longer an officer, in fact had been out of
service over three months, and had not cent
of pay due him with which to get North. Bor-
rowing some money he fastened to Washing
ton and laid his case before the authorities,
but they could not. or would not, do anything
for him.
The officer, after visiting all the Depart
ments, gave up in despair, went home and told
his wife they must starve, as the North would
not have his services and he could not go
South and fight against the old flag. The good
wife cheered him up, and for weeks she went
about the capital trying to get her husbands
case reconsidered, without success. The lady
became discouraged, but she had large fami-
ly of little ones, and for their sake she resolved
to persevere and see what would come of it.
She knew not what to do when friend of hers
said to her:
"Why don't you go and see old Ben Wade Of
Ohio?"
''Oh,'' said she, ''they say he is so rough; q
terrible man indeed and L am in dread of go
ing to him."
"Never mind what they say" replied her
friend; "you go and see old Ben, and you can
tell us afterward about his peculiarities."
The next day the lady did call at MIR. Wades
house, and learning he was in, tremblingly ap-
preached the dread presence. There was moth
ing forbidding in Mr.. Wade's looks, and she
soon, under the most gentle encouragement,
confided to him every thing about her husbands
case. When she came to speak of her children
she quite broke down and sobbed most bitterly.
Mr.. Wade, who had been listening to her at
tentively, rose from his chair, handed her a
glass of water, and said kindly, 'Pray do not
cry, madam; compose YOURSELF it may not be
lx11 \
not despond until INhave tried what L can do
about it."
The lady looked at him through her tears,
and as she said afterwards, felt like hugging
him around the neck. His were, indeed, the
first Kind words she had heard from any one
in power, and she naturally became at once
deeply impressed with Mr. Wade's kindness OF
heart. She dried her eyes and told the old
Senator all about it. Mrs. Wade, who heard
this good old lady's story, was affected to tears
her elf, and placing her arm about the dis
tressed sisters waist, patted her on the head
and said "There, there, don't grieve; l know
| my husband will help you all he can; you don't
know what kind heart he has, and how deep
| ly he feels always for those in trouble"
"And the husband of such q wife could not
| be otherwise than good and kind man, but
| they told me he was so rough" !" exclaimed the
| lady.
| ''Who.-me?" roared old Ben.
eyes, sir; you"
damn them they lie," cried old Ben.
81 know now they do, and that it is not so,'
| said the lady.
Very well, let it goat that remarked the
| Senator. "Just now we have other and more
| important business ON hand than discussing
| our public reputation; but he added after
J moments pause, they do lie about me, and
| if they say that again in your presence, just
| tell them for me, won't you, they are set Of
| damned liars?" Here was message for a
lady to deliver that might well have astonished
| and Mrs. said Made tnrnpl
his earnest face toward her and uttered these
words she could not help smiling, though she
had been crying but moment before.
"Then you know this man to be really
| loyal?" said Wade.
HE certainly is" replied the lady.
"And he would not fight against the Union
under any circumstances whatever"
"Never! never! never!''
''Then," said Wade, 1--WE must have him
fight for it; not in the ranks, but as one of its
best officers, 1 trust
The lady had indeed made a friend worth
having, and she went home with a light heart.
There was more joy that night in the ex-army
officers house than had been there for many q
day.
Mr.. Wade had learned, as the others had
done, the place had been filled and the new
officer confirmed. Just here, where almost
any other man would have stopped, Wade be-
gan to work. The officer had held the com
mission of major in the service, and as there
was no vacant majority to which he could bt
promoted, Wade tried to find him captaincy
Not even lieutenancy was vacant, so the
War Department folks said, but Wade one
day incidentally learned there was a vacant
lieutenant-colonelcy, and without the slightest
hesitation urged his man for it.
He carried his point, and the ex-officer was
made lieutenant-colonel An attempt to de.
feat his confirmation was made, but Wade de
feated it and had him triumphantly con-
frmed.