ALONE.
The woman who, for her husband's sake, might with reason have looked
for exemption from the common fate of widowhood, was made to
experience to the full the dreariness of her condition, and the
world's ingratitude. But mankind is subject to the universal law,
that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of
God;" and the question is silenced, which involuntarily suggests
itself: Lord, why hast Thou dealt thus severely with poor Katharine?
One day an official of the Elector's chancery knocked at the door of
the chancellor, Dr. Brück, in Wittenberg, and after considerable
delay and much formality was ushered into the presence of the
distinguished man.
Dr. Gregory von Brück was of a tall and imposing stature. His fine
features and lofty brow betokened a keen and vigorous intellect, and
his brilliant, expressive eyes gave evidence of great mental
activity. It was he who, at the diet of Augsburg, together with his
colleague, Dr. Baier presented to the Emperor the Confession of the
Lutheran faith; and from that day forward his power and influence had
steadily increased. He was a frequent visitor at Luther's house, and
although the cool reserve which the chancellor always maintained
toward Katharine, annoyed the Doctor, yet it did not prevent him from
doing justice to the merits of his friend. Luther never asked the
reason of the chancellor's behavior. Had he done so, the other would
doubtless have learned better to appreciate the wife of the great
Doctor.
"What is your wish?" Brück demanded of the counselor, who, bowing
with great deference, replied:
"His grace the Elector, sends you his greeting, and desires that you
will give your opinion regarding the affairs of Dr. Luther's widow,
his Grace trusting that you, as Luther's friend, will prove yourself
a defender and protector of this widow."
Brück's eyes assumed an impenetrable expression, while his white
hands toyed with a pen.
The counselor paused for a reply, and then continued: "You doubtless
know, that she has sent a petition to his Grace!"
"A petition?" interrupted Brück, glancing sharply toward the speaker.
"It was so rumored; but in this matter she has not confided in me.
Do you know the contents of the petition?"
"I know them," was the answer, "and it was to learn your opinion in
the matter, that his Grace sent me hither."
"Say on!" urged the chancellor.
"You probably are aware," the counselor began, "that during the
life-time of Dr. Martin, the Elector presented him with a capital of
1,000 florins, of which he enjoyed the interest during his later
years. To this,--out of pity toward the family, and out of gratitude
for the reformer's great services--his Grace desires to add a second
thousand, to relieve somewhat the widow's needy condition. She has
in her petition requested, that the promised 2,000 florins be
invested in land, which yields a better income. She says further
that the estate of Wachsdorf, adjoining her own estate of Zulsdorf,
is for sale, that her late husband admired it, and that it can be
bought for 2,000 florins."
The chancellor moved impatiently upon his seat. "This is a bad
beginning. Does the woman dare to approach the Elector with a
falsehood! Would she have it appear, that her husband coveted the
land? I perceive her meaning. She is not satisfied with Zulsdorf,
but must needs have a larger estate to manage and rule. If the
Elector does her will, she will begin to build and make improvements
in Wachsdorf, as she did elsewhere, and will waste much money.
Moreover, Wachsdorf is an unprofitable possession,--it is well known,
that each spring the fields are flooded by the Elbe."
The counselor shook his head. "Pardon me, sir chancellor; I am well
acquainted with Wachsdorf, having often been there in my youth, and I
never heard of the disadvantage you mention. I hold it to be cheap
at 2,000 florins, and the widow no doubt desires to possess it, for
her children's sake."
The chancellor's face flushed, and he harshly exclaimed: "Her
children? It is chiefly for their sake, that I oppose the purchase.
For what will follow? The boys will waste their time with riding and
bird catching, instead of sitting at their books. Mistress Katharine
is very weak with her children, and unable to oppose them. It would
be well therefore, if the boys were taken from her, and placed with
competent tutors. But she is stubborn and refuses this, even as she
refused my well-meant offer of giving Hans a position in the
Elector's chancery. Her obstinacy will make it difficult to find
guardians, every one knowing that he will have a hard time with the
woman. I fear, moreover, that her ambition and avarice will prevent
her from acting justly by her children, especially if, as I expect,
she marries again."
"O sir," exclaimed the counselor indignantly, "how can you entertain
such suspicions against a poor widow, of whom others speak very
differently."
The chancellor lifted his hand: "Do not excite yourself. What you
know, is from hearsay,--I have known her during many years of
intercourse with her husband."
"I know her better than from hearsay," replied the other, "I read the
Doctor's last will and testament, which he wrote in 1542, and which
was submitted to his Grace for confirmation. From this document it
is evident that Luther, who surely knew his wife better than any,
trusted her entirely. Methinks the Elector has sent me to the wrong
man,--to the widow's accuser rather than her defender. His Grace
expected other things from you, and I would gladly be excused from
carrying your message to him."
Brück rose from his chair, and excitedly paced the room, then
suddenly pausing before the counselor, he said in a gentler tone:
"You misunderstand me, and do me injustice in thinking me unfriendly
toward Mistress Luther. I assure you, that I am only concerned for
her welfare, although my advice may displease her. But I will
relieve you of your duty, and write to the Elector myself."
The counselor breathed a sigh of relief: "Accept my thanks therefor,
sir chancellor. May God give you wisdom to do the right, and a
merciful heart toward the poor widow, whose lot is more pitiable than
any other. Remember the old saying: 'The widow's tears must needs
flow, but they cry out against him who calls them forth.'"
The chancellor, slightly frowning, turned his eyes upon the other
with a questioning glance, and dismissed him.
Then he wrote his report to the Elector.
Meanwhile, the counselor was sitting with the widow of the reformer,
to form, if possible, his own opinion. He met there Master Philip
Melanchthon, and remained three hours. From the heartiness with
which he took leave of Mistress Katharine, it may be supposed that he
was favorably impressed by what he saw and heard.
Two days later, he was summoned to the Elector, whom he found sitting
at his writing-table with a letter in his hand.
"I expected you yesterday, dear Veit," said the Elector, "I wished to
hear from your lips the view taken by our chancellor Brück, regarding
the petition of Dr. Luther's widow. In the mean time I have received
this letter, in which the chancellor gives his opinion more
circumstantially. It has surprised me greatly, being written in a
tone, that is far from friendly to the widow of our dear Doctor. He
surely knows her well, having been much in Luther's house; and I must
needs believe him, although I had imagined Doctor Luther's wife to be
a very different woman."
With a bow, the counselor said: "Will your Grace permit me to give my
opinion?"
"Say on, dear Veit," urged the Elector, leaning forward to listen.
The counselor began: "Master Brück is a highly learned man, and of
great ability, which none will dispute. He has a clear eye in
discerning the nature of things in general; but here his judgment is
at fault. He does injustice to the widow of Dr. Martin, and esteems
her less highly than she deserves. I went to her myself, wishing to
know her personally; and what I saw, and what Melanchthon told me,
convinces me, that the chancellor is in error. I therefore pray your
Grace, not to lay too much weight upon his communication, but to
grant the widow's petition."
The Elector held out his hand: "I thank you from my heart, dear Veit.
You have done me a great service," and the counselor withdrew. When
the Elector was alone, he re-read the chancellor's letter. Then,
lifting his eyes to a portrait of Luther, which hung upon the wall
opposite, he exclaimed: "No, posterity shall not accuse me of
faithlessness! Martin, thou glorified spirit, I promised thee with
hand and lips, that thy wife and thy children should be to me as my
own, and I will keep my promise. Even though thy wife were
undeserving, yet, for thy sake, I would help her. Who could worthily
repay thee, thou benefactor of mankind, the fountain, from which
shall spring life and blessing to generations yet unborn!"
* * * * * * * * * *
In the Luther-house at Wittenberg, sacred henceforth to grief,
Mistress Katharine, the widow, with her children, gave thanks to the
Lord, who had visited them in their affliction. "Thou art a father
of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows," faltered the pale
lips, "Thou hast not hidden thyself from us, and hast given us beyond
what we ask or think."
Help had come from three quarters. The Elector of Saxony, John
Frederick the Magnanimous, confirmed Luther's Will, written in the
year 1542, and made his family a gift of the 2,000 florins, which
were invested for the children in the estate of Wachsdorf.
On the following day, a letter came from the counts of Mansfield,
bringing a further gift of 2,000 florins, which was to be put at
interest for 100 florins annually. And lastly, the king of Denmark,
Christian III., sent 50 ducats, with the promise that the pension,
which Luther with two other theologians of Wittenberg, had during the
last years of his life, received from him, should be continued to his
widow.
Here was help indeed,--not much among so many, it is true,--but in
Luther's school, Katharine had learned contentment, gratitude toward
the Ruler of hearts, and trust in the divine Helper.
As a further evidence of God's mercy, men well-known for their honor
and integrity, offered themselves as guardians for herself and her
children. The captain Asmus Spiegel, and her brother, Hans von Bora,
were to act as her advisers, while the care of the children's
interests was given over to the Burgomaster, Ambrose Reuter, the
Electors' court-physician, Melchior Ratzenberger, and Luther's own
brother, Jacob. The Professors Melanchthon and Cruciger offered
themselves as additional guardians, to see to it, that their beloved
Doctor's children were brought up in the fear of God and in the true
doctrine.
The oldest, John, now a youth of twenty, wished to continue his
studies, which was granted him. The two younger ones, Paul and
Martin, were left in their mother's care; their tutor, Ambrose
Rudtfeld, having proved himself a competent and conscientious
teacher, he was retained. Gretchen, eleven years old, naturally
remained with her mother.
The widow's trust in God was not deceived. Her means were scant, it
is true. But Katharine had not in vain spent twenty years under the
influence of her husband's noble nature. The lessons she had learned
now proved their value,--and she reaped the interest upon her
spiritual capital.
But it is written: "How unsearchable are His judgments, and his ways
past finding out." Thou art a God that hideth Himself, and wonderful
are Thy dealings with men! Katharine's trials were not yet ended,
and her tortured heart must needs pass through the purifying fires of
further sorrow.