Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-02-22
The True Helpmate.

The story Of the parting of Lieutenant
De Long and his wife is thus told by
William Bradford, the artist ''You were
Lieut.. DE Longs most efficient adviser
were you not?' asked. 'Lieut. De
Long" he replied, "needed and had no
more competent adviser than bis wife.
She is a noble, highly intelligent woman
and like himself an en-! husiast upon the
subject of arctic exploration. She has
read and studied everything that exper-
ience and science have made known
upon that topic, is familier with the
minutest detail of ,very endeavor ever
made for the penetration of the profound
veil Of mystery overhanging that field
of most daring adventure. Could she
possible have done SO, she would have
been most glad to have accompanied him
upon his expedition sharing his hard
ships, his perils and his fate. That
however, was manifestly impracticable.
as she had the good sense to recognize.
1 think one of the most touching episodes
1 ever witnessed was the parting between
Lieut.. De Long and his wife, and l
know that the pang of separation was
heightened by her regret that she could
not share his trials in the heroic endea-
vor for the attainment of the purpose in
which her heart was as much bound up
as his. We went ont of the bay of San
Francisco with tug following us to
take back those who we're to return, and
not a word WAS spoken of the separation
momentarily drawing nearer. Finally,
when we had got pretty well out. Lieut..
De Long came to me and said: 1t is
time to CO. A small boat was lowered
from the side aud manned; he and Mrs.
De Long got into it. l followed them
and he gave the order to pull away for
the tug. During that short trip the 81
lence WAS oppressive, painful beyond de-
scription, the only sound being the
thump OF the oars in the rowlock and
the swash of the water When we reach
ed the side of the tug Lieut.. De Long
pressed his wife's hand and simply said
goodbye She stepped upon the tug
and turning bent upon her husband a
look in which there was expressed the
most poignant feeling, mingled with a
devout silent prayer for his safety and
success. For an instant he seemed to
hesitate. as if for the moment unnerved
by her attitude and look, then, recover
ing his self-cOntrol, turned to his men |
and in full, strong voice commanded |
Pull away menr Soon their swift piled |
oars placed him alongside the Jeanette. |
We saw him mount the side, saw the |
vessel bear away and watched her in |
silence until she was mere speck upon |
the distant horizon, without a word |
being spoken. Then finally when the |
Jeanette was fading from sight, Mrs,
De Long said to me; please let me go |
below; l want to be alone for moment
1 complied with her request. Soon
however, almost Immediately, indeed,
such was her power of self-control and |
1 believe, also her confidence in her
husbands ultimate success and happy
return to her, that she regained her
self-possession and entered into CONVEX
sation. 1t was such a manifestation of |
bravery on the part of woman as
never saw before and never expect to |
witness again. But she has never had |
any doubt. and has none now, of the |
safety of her husband and his ultimate |
return to his native land, She was here |
only few days ago. and We have been
in almost constant consultation or com
munication during the two years or
more in which the fate of her husband
has been shrouded in obscurity.