Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-20
Price Four Cents.
A Pretty Sketch.
Senator Wade and the Officers Wife, [Gen. Brsbin in the Philadelphis press.1

Senator Wade and the Officers Wife. [den. Brisbin in the Philadelphia Press.l
 The ladies were never afraid of MT. Wade. 1n certain way, as they often were of public msn. Wade's heart was as pure as a spring of water, and they seemed to instinctively un- derstand he was good man. One of the brightest and most accomplished ladies in Washington one day heard lady friend of hers say:
 'what rough old bear of man that MT. Wade isl'
 'Oh mol Oh no T" 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 10 brother, to be used only in case hls State se- was strong secessionist, at once sent in the resignation, and 1t 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 behaved with great gallantry, and saved some 800 soldiers to the Union when Gen. TWipes surrendered. With these he made his way North, and marched all the way to Fort Riley Kansas. He was dumbfounded on reaching this place to learn he was no longer an officer, | lo fact had been out of service over three | months, and not a cent of pay due him with which to getNo Borrowing some money. he hastened to Washington and laid his case ethe authorities, but they could not, or l would not, do anything for him. The officer, after viRiting all the depart- l 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 Capitol trying to get her hus- hora 7scn lady became discouraged, but she had a large family 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, 'tthey say he is so rough; a terrible man indeed, and am in dread of go- ing to him."
 'sNever mind what they say," replied the friend ''you go and see old Ben and you can tell us afterward about his pecuIiarities"
 The next day the lady did call at Mr. Wade's house, and learning he was in, tremblingIy approached the dread presence There was nothing forbidden in MT. Wade's looks, and she soon, under the most gentle encourage ment, conhded to him everything about her husbands case. When she came to speak of her children she broke down and sobbed most bitterly. Mir. Wade, who had been listening to her attentively, rose from his chair, handed her glass of water, and said kindly, 'sPray do not cry, madam; compose yourself; it may not be so bad a case as you imagine, and you should not despond until have tried what can do about it."
 The lady looked at him through her tears. and, as she said afterwards, felt like hugging him round the neck. His were, indeed, the first kind words she had heard for weeks from any one in power, and she naturally became at once deeply impressed in Mir. Wade's kindness of heart She dried her eyes and told the old Senator all about 1t. Mrs Wade. who heard this good ladys story, was affected to tears herself, and placing her arm about the distressed sisters waist patted her on the head and said: ''There don't grieye: I am sure my husband will help you all he can. You don't know what kind heart he has. and how deeply he feels always forIthose who are in trouble"
 'And the husband of such wife could not be otherwise than good and kind man, but they told me he was rough, exclaimed the lady.
 ''Who-me?" roared old Ben.
 ''Yes, sir; you"
 Damn them they lie, :" cried old Ben.
 'I know they do, and that it is not so," said the lady.
 ''Very well, let it go at that, ," remarked the Senator. "Just now we have other and moro important business on hand than discussing our public reputation; but" he added after pause. ''they do lie about me- and if they say 1hoD oSoih HI SouI pHoSSuCS Just tell them, won't you, for ms they are a set of damned liars" Here was 8 message for a lady to de- liver that might well have astonished any one. and Mrs. - said Wade turned his earnest face toward her and uttered these words she could not help smiling, though she had been crying but minute before.
 ''Then you do 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 circumstance whatever2"
 "Never! never! never!"
 ''Then," said Wade, i've must have him fight for it; not in the ranks but as one of it's best officers, trust"
 The lady had indeed made friend worth having and she went home with light heart There was more joy that night in the ex-army officers house than had been there for many day.
 MT. Wade learned, as the others had done, the place had been filled and the new officer confirmed. Just here, where almost any oth- or man would have stopped, Wade began to work. The officer had held the commission of Major in the service, and as there was no va cant majority to which he could beappointed, Wade tried to find him captaincy. Not even a lieutenancy was vacant, so the War depart ment folks said, but Wade one day incidentIy heard there was vacant ieutenant-colonelcy, and without the slightest hesitation urged his man for it.
 He carried his point, and the ex-oficer was made ieutenant-colonel. An attempt to de- feat his confirmation was made, but Wade defeated 1t and had him triumphantly con- frmed.