The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-15

ABOUT MRS. GLADSTONE.

Mrs. Gladstone's death recalls many
stories of the happy life she enjoyed With
her husband. Just after she was married
her husband, who had already been a
cabinet minister. put to her the question,
shall | tell you nothing and you can
say anything. or shall l tell you every
thing and you say nothing?" She chose
the latter of the alternatives and he told
her everything, and she never told any
thing except once. Two cabinet ministers
were dining with her husband, then also
a member OF the cabinet, and something
was mentioned the details of which Were
known only to members OF the cabinet
and to such of their wives as were trusted
with their secrets Mrs. Gladstone said
or did. or looked, something which re-
veaied that she knew AT once there was
flashed upon her from the brilliant black
eyes of her husband one of those terrible
looks he could give. 1t was an affrighting
reproof.
When dinner was over and Mrs Glad
stone went up to the drawing room she
had good oid-fashioned cry and wrote
"A little note OF apology TO her husband, He
scrubbed back a reply in something like
these terms: you are always right. You
could not do wrong Never mention II
again" Mr.. Gladstone had of course for
gotten all about II, and his surprise was
great when II was brought back to his
OF his old letters TO some guests at
Hawarden and in the midst of 1t Mrs.
Gladstone disappeared. and coming down
with little bundle said she also had her
little treasure OF the past which she must
show, and then out came this little note.
faded. scarcely legfble, preserved through
out half a century of common life. of JOY
and suffering and greatness together II
was no wonder that everybody present
WAS touched ar this resurrection that
brought back the image of youth and early
marriage and all the vast expanse or
tenderness and perfect understanding that
Law between.
Mrs Gladstone was wonderful in her
methods of saving her husband and look
ing after him in the most transformations
way. Indeed. sometimes she did 1t with
such tact and with such eptire conceal
ment OF her purpose that she gave to
superficial observer an idea of stupidity
and even of fatuousness. One evening at
the Durdans, when she and MI Glad
stone were guests of Lord Rosehery' MI
Gladstone began to tell story which ne
always told with peculiar gusto. Mrs
Gladstone. OF course, had heard 1t before
and knew the somewhat astounding cli-
max. But she looked round. saw that some
of the servants were still in the dining
room. and suddenly. while her husband
was in the fun tide of the story. turned
to Lord Rosebers and. with an air OF
perfect Indifference. said Have you
heard from the Aberdeens latelyT' There
was a terrible fash from the great mans
eyes, and he suddenly stopped. Then the
servants went out and he was allowed to
continue his story.
Mr. Gladstone always said that his fam
iiy had been everything he could have
hoped or prayed for. and to this statement
he added one of those fervent expressions
of gratitude to that benignant Providence
In whom he had so profound faith. This
was a familiar way of saying what he
had often said In public. Indeed. the words
are almost identical with those he used
in one of his speeches during his first
Midlothian campaign. In reply to an adj
dress made to him by Provost Mitchell.
who presided at meeting In Lasswade.
Mr. Gladstone said You referred to the
family relations in which | have had the
happiness to stand. and to the inestimable
blesslng-and not from my deserving
which has been permitted me through a
long life. Those family relations have
been to me source OF unclouded and UNI
varying consolation. without break.
without a shadow. without a doubt. with
out change"
DUCHESsE DE BELIMERE