The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-14

ana never. amid all her tears and re-
citais OF distress. suffering one syl-
liable to escape her lips that could con-
Pcy Il doubt of him. or complaint,
or lcsscnlng Of pride In his genius
or his good intentions. Her daughter
died year and u half since. but she
oti not desert him. She continued his
mtnistering angel. living with him.
caring for him. guarding him against
exposure: and when he was carried
away by temptation. amid grief and
loneliness OF feelings unreplicd to. and
from his self-abandonment. Frustrated
IN restitution and suffering. begged
for him still"
Her Devotion An-.absorbIpE.
These generous and eloquent words,
which reflect honor upon W'lliss
kindness Of heart and sense of human
ny. give a vivid impression of Mrs.
Cicmms unseldsh and all-absorbing
devotion TO her son-in-law 1t Is no
eSn sSeration to say that this devotion
only became more exclusive and more
seir-sacriiicins after her daughters
death, Edgar never liked to be
alone. she informs u.s. land | used to
slt up with him often until ( o'clock
in the morning, nc at his desk writing,
and doing in my chair. When he
was composing Eureka yc used to
arm around me. mine around him. un-
I'll was 50 tired could not walk.
aiwa%s sat up with him when ne was
writing. and gave him cup of hot
coicc every hour or two At homc.
ne was simple and affcctlonatc as
enid, and. during all the years he
livcd with me. 1 10 not remember a
single night he failed to come and
KISS his mother as he called me, be-
fore going TO bed"
II would be difficult to picture too
strongly the loneliness Of Pocs rn-
fortunate mothcr-inlaw during his
absences from home following the
death of Virginia. After that trayic
event. she had more reason than before
TO expect that he would. in the num-
c:ous temptations that would beset
him while travelling. fan again into n
course OF dissipation, which might at
any time. terminate fatally through
excess or exposure. Or even should
he continue perfectly sober, he might
by succeeding in his purpose Of re-
marrying, Introduce into the simple
cottage at Fordham some one who. he
cause unaccustomcd to that plain ard
bare life. would N her discomfort sow
seeds Of permanent alienation in the
little household.
In a letter written to Mrs. Rich
~ 7.
isiS, just after the poets return i-om
Providence (where. in the appalling
agitation OF his courtship Of the wav-
cr!nE Mrs. Whitman, he se.nls 10 have
lost all scmblance of sclf-coDtroi for A
tiinc). Mrs GLENN uuconsciously dis
closed the poienancy of the anxiety
which had been torturinS her: God
has heard my prayers" she says, "and
once more returned my poor. dar.sni;
~ al
scarcely knew him! was nearly dis
irac;ed ut not hearing from him |
knew something dreadful had occur
red. And. Oh! how near was to los
ing him: But our good and gracious
God saved him. The blood about my
heart becomes cold when l think OF
it,"
Mrs. GLENN JublInnt.
In the following month when the
poets prccarious betrothal TO Mrs.
Whitman had been finally rupturcd.
expression TO her satisfaction. Il foe,
SO happy In all my troubles" She
write to the same correspondent. Ed
die is not going TO marry Mrs. Whit
man" And later she writes: Eddie
has been At home three weeks, and
has not written her once: and he is
writing most industriously." Only II
few months had passed when the poet.
acutely disappointed in his hope of
obtaining profitable literary cnEag
ments. became iii. Il thought said
Mrs. GLENN, "he would die several
times. God knows wish we were hoti.
In our graves II would, ] am sure.
be far better" The burden of carec
and anxiety had been too oppressive
for the sorcly tried and long enduring
woman to bear further without a sign
of distress; and a cry of despair, un-
usual on her brave lips. had been
wrcnchcd at is were from the depths
of her heart
But the acrid contents of her cup
were not yet all swallowed. In June
the poet decided to visit Richmond on
"a lccturing tour to procure funds with
which to issue the first number of his
projected magazine Mrs. GLENN at
this time was stopping with friends
residing in Brooklyn. Poe had during
the course Of many weeks been deeply
Respondent. My sadness" he had
written. lis unaccountablc l am
fun of dark forcbodings. Nothing
cheers or comforts me. My life seems
wasted-the future looks drcary
blank" 1t was in this strangely
president mood that he parted with his
devoted motherin Ian for the last
time: but he sought to hide his mel
ancholy authorizations by words of hope
fulness. God bless YOU" nc said to
her Us they took final leave of each
other. cod bless you, my own dar-
ling Nfu-dic. DO not fear for Eddie.
See how good will he while am
away, and I'll come back to love and
comfort you"
Mrs GLENN had accompanied him to
the per. where he was TO embark for
Philadelphia. and she silently stood
and Ga@cd tiNedly in the direction OF
the reccding boat as long as she could
S5aFA