The representative., 1901-06-13
PATHOS OF A FRENCH
WOMAN'S LOVE LETTERS

There has been much exploiting Of late on
an Englishwoman's love letters. The nobler
love letters of a Frenchwoman are less
known. We refer to the letters of Mme
Dreyfus, tear-stained, love-gilded, heaven
blessed, addressed to her husband during
the long and darksome period Of his exile
and suffering. They are printed in Capt.
Dreyfus' tragic story. "Cing Annees de Ma
Vie,'' but they should be published in a
volume by themselves, as monument of
everywhere OF the honor that unswerving
loyalty in a wife is certain to command
Never for an instant did this faithful spouse
falter in devotion to the man of her hearts
choice. Confidence in his innocence and
in his rehabilitation and vindication. she
never lost. The day after the trial of 1895
she gave expression to sentiments that dur
ing her husbands sufferings underwent no
change. She even then, overwhelmed as
she was with grief modification and sor-
row, strove to inspire her outraged and
prosecuted husband with courage and hope.
She says: Il know how courageous you
are; admire you. oh, unhappy martyr l
beseech you to bear up valiantly against
these fresh tortures. Our lives, our whole
fortune, shall be sacrificed to discover the
guilty parties. We will find them; we must
do it. You will be rehabilitated. We have
enjoyed nearly FIVE years of absolute hap
piness. Let the memory Of that be the
handspring Of your life now. One day JUS
tice will be done, and we shall be happy
again, and the children will adore you. We
will! make your son man like yourself
could choose for him no better example"
These lines Of love must, like very rays
from heaven, have penetrated the gloom, the
despair that surrounded the unfortunate
victim of the most heartless conspiracy Of
modern times. But she had still more to
say that gave her husband courage, heart
and hope: my dearest husband, you must
know that / love you-that adore you
Our immense trial, the horrible infamy of
which we are the objects, only serves to
draw closer the bonds of my affection
Wherever you go, wherever they send you.
Punishment more easily. We will live for
each other. l can not do without
you; you are my consolation. The only
gleam of happiness now have is to be able
to end my days by your side"
A few days later she writes, through
binding tears, telling him that his letters
alone console her In her great sorrow; they
alone support and comfort her. Live for
me-" she adds, Il beg Of YOU" Then she
urges that he gather up strength; that they
will struggle till the guilty one is discov-
cred. They are to live and struggle, not for
themselves, but for their little ones: Our
children are charming Your poor little
Pierre asks SO much for you, and can only
answer with tears. This morning again
he inquired II you were coming home to-
papa.' he said to me. Jeanne changes a
good deal. She talks nicely. says little
phrases and grows very pretty
Pierre was 31s and Jeanne years old
when Capt. Dreyfus was sentenced to exile.
Till after his release. in 1899, they knew
nothing of his exile and suffering
During the long years of separation, be-
tween suffering husband and devoted wife
letters were exchanged at long and irregu-
lar intervals. AS long as the original let
tcrs were delivered there was some salts
faction for each OF the sufferers, but the
French authorities at last resorted to the
infamy of suppressing the originals and de-
livering copies only to the anxious ad-
dressees. Could cruelty go further than to
deny these wronged people the small conso-
lation of recognizing each cthcrs hand
writing? 1t is revolving to civilization, q
blot on our boasted modern culture, that
such iniquity could be perpetrated. The
love and fidelity OF Nine. Dreyf,ls shine
through all the darkness and injustice Of
this foul episode - very stars Of heaxau. s