National Republican., 1873-06-28

In addition to the regular inmates OF the
Home slxty-nye are living out some with their
families, aud they receive aid from the Home
Strange TO say, for many years the Institution
was exceedingly unpopular In the army, and the
old soldier would only go there as a last resort.
Several reasons combined TO make IL unpopular
In the nrst place 1t was called an asylum and
was regarded In the light OF a Poor.house.
Then again the discipline and restrictions upon
the liberties OF the old soldiers were too much
like garrison life. Iu addition to this, the place
ten or twelve years ago was very Isolated and
anything but cheerful place 10 live In.
Under the management Of the present Board
Of Commissioners tfse Home Is becoming very
popular The old soldiers are Just beginning
TO understand that It Is q home, and not an asy
lum, and that It belongs 10 them, and that they
are not paupers supported by the charity Of the
Government. The inmates are now better fed
aud cared for, and are allowed greater liberties
than ever before. They go and come when they
please. All that Is required OF them Ia to con-
duct themselves with propriety and decency,
and to be in the Home At9 p. m.
WHAT Is BKrSd DONE.
the grounds are being gradually beaut Ined
aud adorned; roads are opened, and the place
on week days Is open TO the public. Every
pleasant day thousands take advantage Of the
by the old soldiers, and they are beginning to
feel as proud Of their magnificent estate as an
English lord does OF his ancestral acres. The
grounds and buildings are open to inspection
from early mora until the closing OF tho gates
at Up. N, with but 70 restrictions, and these
arc plainly posted on boards throughout the
grounds.
All that Is asked is that visitors should not
depredate upon the flowers and fruit and shrub
berry; not drive over the grass or side paving
nor drive furously on any of the roads, which
are the only walks the old soldiers have for as
yet only few foot paths have been made. The
Governor and the old soldiers we are happy 10
say, have only on rare occasions cause Tor COM
psH resS 9nsS n 5wSs people dye IN who
whip round utterly regardless Of the hie
dlImb Of some deaf and SCARED veteran oi
sny hs yih Ms nsn Sgh ansfe are people in
Ineunl and tuum. Such occasionally md their
way INTO the soldiers Home and depart with
s1e a otSs dS.s P.ns SoS aS 1Pny o. Their enpidty
which they have no right to do.
The Old soldiers give their glorious park freely
up TO the pleasure aud comfort OF citizens but
served. The restrictions are the same a. pertain
70 ali pubic and private parks and it Is for tne
comfort and pleasure OF all 10 see that they are
strictly observed.
THE ooRcoRAS ADDITION,
known As "nRrewoOd" formerly, will not be
opened TO the public until the roads connecting
II with the old grounds are all completed. The
heavy work Of the improvements going on IA
done by hired Labor. Tue place Is kept Ia police
and order by the inmates, for which they are
paid; that Is to say the old soldiers get one dol
lar pocket money and seventy five cents for to-
eaeco pr montu; AS they DO not smoke twenty.
plpes constantly tull. Next 10 the shAkers, inc
OlI veterans are famous for their gardens, A.
OthellO found his Occupation gone" when M
lost confidence In the virtue Of Desdemnna nv
the Old soldiers nnd their Occupation goneH
when they leave their twenty years OF hattie Ilfe
10 live nj the Home. They rather mO1rnfuiiy
say:
Farewell the ylumsd troop, and the big wars
IhAt MAKE AihD!!iyn virtue O,iareHeil
1hs spirit stirrins drum, the eAr.pieruing his ''
Tue Toys banner, and al qualify,
pride. pomp aud circumstance OF glorious war 2"
But for all that they nnd content In their gar.
deps, and nrsI In practical way; for they raise
great abundance ui irultA and vegetables, and
all ~ tnels season ,us lhe Vegetables and fruit,
nice, because nicely cultivated and natural Il
their growth. Ihehe Old men also have an ey,
iSf tns t ao.sI% sysS ~ snoa y ~,
are large anu handsome vases nlled with grow
ing vines and flowers. Here and there aTbon
s M Woo SSs tSstv ,ns eoSsa Sla stump
vines Of the llyeliest green. Ali sorts of beauti
ful cTeepers are trained 10 cling around the
must be quite unlike WOrdsworth's "Peter Beii!'
AJellow pTlIIose vas toiim.
Aud IL Wa nothing more"
Just what meanings they see In their white
IUse-buds, lubt what reflections their passion
nOwer awuEe, Just what glory Is recalled by
IuelT laurel and BtOrm-deiyIng oaks, lust what
hopes are revived by their everlasting BpTucea
aud UedaTr, Just what sad scenes are Ttmem-
bered by their weeping willows, Just what nelds
Of glory they are reminded OF by their cIllnsOn
bells VI yeiOena We cannot say, but In every
tvuI VI their ground they have some emblem OF
strength, faith, purity, love, beauty, charity and
Immortality, Even the drains At the bldes OF
tnolr WalkA are 50 evenly made Of round, white,
smooth stones that they look ike strings Of
pearls. These roads not only lead into the
depths OF the forest, past nelds OF grain, over
rustic bridges and amid beds OF pOsies, but
they take one along the borders Of pretty lakea