Page:The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy.djvu/67

Rh her meals and back again to her room. When he was not at home, she was able to walk about and attend to most of her wants unassisted; but when he returned she relapsed into a state of helplessness.

From the traditions which abound in these villages it is evident that the Pattersons' marriage was an unfortunate one. Dr. Patterson's bluff and rather coarse geniality must greatly have irritated his high-strung and self-centred wife, and there is no doubt that, on his part, he came quickly to see the force of Mark Baker's advice against the marriage. He seems to have responded faithfully to his wife's demands, and to have endured her irascibility with patience. It was probably a relief to both when Dr. Patterson went South, after the Civil War began, in the hope of securing more profitable employment as an army surgeon. He visited the early battlefields, and, straying into the enemies' lines, was taken captive and sent to a Southern prison. In his absence Mrs. Patterson showed that she was capable of a gentler sentiment toward her husband. During his confinement in prison she published (June 20, 1862) the following poem, the last stanza of which is slightly reminiscent of certain lines in Lord Byron's poem to the more celebrated patriot, Bonnivard: