St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-07-06
and there may b self-possession with
out courage


out courage.
We are familiar with a marked illus
tration Of the latter. The wife OF
wealthy gentleman IVES well knowl
among her friends to be timid. Sh,
was unwillin. that her husband shouls
90 away over night, as she feared L
stay IN the house unless a man wa.
present There came time. however
when it was necessary for him to b,
absent several nights in succession
She became reconciled to the arrange
ment. chiefly because it was the time o
full moon. but stipulated that heI
husband should load his gun. and place
It in the corner at the head Of their bed
before he left Two Of her brother.
were gunsmi;hs. and in her girlhood
taught her to fire at 4 mark, so tina,
she was not afraid OF a gun. as mos,
women are. The second night OF he,
husbands absence was dark and
gloomy. with fog and storm. She re
tired. but not to sleep. Until after
eleven o'clock she kept . lamp burn
ing. when. reproving herself for such
timidity. she extinguished it and
dropped to sleep.
About one o'clock . noise started her.
Springing up in bed. she listened.
She heard q noise below, as il some one
hit chair with his foot. She arose,
went to the door. turned the key softly.
and opened it just enough to see down
the front stairway. She saw the light
from dark lantern reflected upon the
banister. and heard whispering.
Robbers. surely: she thought She
stepped back for the gun. at the head oil
the bed.
Returning to the door. she recollect-
ed that her spectacles (she was very
near-sighted) were on the bureau
Going to the bureau. she adjusted her
spectacles upon her eyes Then. re-
turning to the door. she walked direct
ly to the head of the stairs and asked:
Whose there?"
No voice replied; but the hall was
still as the grave.
''WhO Is there?" she repeated. louder.
"Hold your tongue. or l will blow
your brains QUIT" was the rather fright
full response. from a man near the foot
OF the stairs.
She fired. and the exclamation OF 20
GOd!' and q rush out OF the front door
were proof that she did not miss her
mark
Courageous woman" the public ex-
But it was not courage at all It was
She commanded her
whole being until the peril was over.
What self-possession was to that wo-
man. such it is to the traveller, scholar.
student orator. statesman. lawyer.
physician. clergyman and other public
tOilers 1t enables them to control and
use their own resources to the best nd
A gentleman Of very nervous temper
ament, yet known for his great presence
Of mind in danger and emergencies.
claims that he has cultivated this quail
ty by much reflection. Il have
planned what should do. if awakened
n the night by my house on fire-how
% quickly dress. what to do first Of all.
lOw to give the alarm, how to save my
amily. clothing. etc" He believes that
similar forethought about burglars. nc
:idents and other surprises. begets
and hence. method and efyec-
tiveness OF action.
We know q clergyman's wife who
these possibilities to such an
'xtent. that on taking q journey. she
applied herself with bandages. court
,laster. and one or two remedies. in
ase Of injuries by railroad accidents.
)nce her tact and efficiency were put
o the test on the train. when an acci-
lent injured several passengers, and
uch was her co0lness and success that
Ter services became . matter OF put.:o
ecOrd.
.I'rese1ee Of mind ana courage in distress
Are more than armies to procure success"
William NJ Thayer. in Yankee
slade.