South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-13

capacity of instant comprehension. These
qualities l can feel, even in American work
men and ordinary employees, for their glance
has always something incisive. valiant, free,
in which there is no trace OF weakness OF SER
Witty.
The American man has always enjoyed the
reputation OF being a good husband. indeed.
the best OF husbands-but good husband in a
different way from that IN which we under
stand ii in Latin countries
With us the love and respect OF the hus-
band for his wife consists above all in pro-
tecting her, in guiding her, and in smoothing
out the difficulties OF life for her. The respect
and love Of the American husband, on the other
hand, appear to to consist in leaving to the
wife all her free WILL and in permitting her
thus the development OF all her faculties. We
have concluded from this, wrongly or rightly,
that the American woman held a secondary
place in the life Of man, that she did not in
spire all his acts, and that she was not the
unique and essential pivot of II.
In France, indeed, almost always the ideal
OF marriage is complete fusion OF the two
beings. The husband makes OF his wife the
motive and the witness of all his acts. She
is his perpetual source OF exaltation, OF cour-
age, Of virtue, and OF genius All the great
men OF our country mixed with their heroism
and their glory the sentimental element This
is true. not only OF poets, which is very nat
ural, but also OF military heroes, OF statesmen
and even OF men OF science. And when the
woman who has been like a soul 10 these
Is missing, IL seems sometimes L0at
life itself dies out in them, and that they have
no more wish TO defend themselves against
death.
My husband, who knew Victor Hugo very
WELL told that he could not support the
loss OF his old COMPANION whom he loved for
forty years and whom ne honored with a sacred
tenderness. When she died he still very
robust man, although old, but she
was no longer with him he began to die him.
self In spite Of the idolatry with which the
whole world surrounded him. Gloomy, with
never a smile, he scarcely spoke any more, his
eyes filled with tears he looked at the
empty chair OF his old friend, and he sought
solitude. Even his mighty genius weakened
slowly, or at least he made no more effort to
eXternaliZe his powers since they could no
longer make his absent friend happy. Il
seemed that she was calling 10 him from the
other world. And when he died, three years
later nothing had been able to beguile him
from this absorption and sorrow.
This example is far from being unique, or
| should not have cited it, bat is rather typical
or the French character. Another striking
case is that OF the great chemist. Marcellin
Berthelot. He, too, could not survive the death
OF her who had shared all his life. When she
died, he passed away mysteriously the
evening OF the very same day, and no one
could discover II he had taken some poison 20
follow her Immediately TO the tomb. or IL the
violence OF his sorrow had been sufficient TO
Kill MIN. He was surrounded by every honor.
might nave enjoyed many more peaceful years.
and ne had two sons who were full OF affec-
ton for him.
How many other charming or terrifying
love stories could cite of famous Frenchmen!
one OF the most tragic is that OF Danton'
the great tribune OF the Revolution. While he
was travelling his wife whom he adored died
suddenly. He only learned ii on his return
seventeen days after they had buried her. his
grier bordered on madness. Nothing could
lessen It's rlghtful paroIysms. He desldeo -