The New York herald., 1874-12-05
OUR PENSIONERS.

Payday OF tho Government Wards-
Scenes NJ the Pension once.
Yesterday being the first payday OF the quarter
there was motley and curious group assembled
In the rear OF the Custom House; 1t Was composed
of young and o.d, the lame, halt and blind; each
person awaiting one OF Uncle Sans checks. which
the clerks in the United States Treasury were
ready to cash upon presentation. When the
HERALD reporter visited the spot there was long
queue formed, and the strange humanity compos-
ing II would have bsen prolific study for Leech
Oruikshank, or Gustave Dore. tail negro wo-
man with complexion specified ike the eggs OF
the guinea hen jostled hump backed septuage-
marian; senle Old woman, with a garrulity evil
dently inspired by the bottle. invoked the divine
blessing ION the biss guv'ment In the wur-ruld;"
pale, sad creature IN Widows weeds held by the
hands two sickly children as the best evidence,
outside OF her papers," that she was
ENTITLED TO A PENSION.
veteran OF the war OF 1912 stood in the crowd
with o soldiers true dignity; he leaned upon
stout stan, and, although his clothes betokened
poverty the rouaher portions OF the assembly did
not jostle him, his gray hair ana martial bearing
forbiddlng that. After time few old comrades
gathered about the hero, and, as they came TO-
i ties DER arain.n IAN. said the old Soldier to the
fourteen OF us; now there arc hut nine."
How old are you 20 he was asked.
"Eighty- three. sir; and voted Tor General DIX.
He is pcnsioncr and so is Thnrl0w weed. ! am
as hearty as boy yet, Ha. Na!" And the old fellow
chuckled at hts vigor; but the reporter noticed,
as the line moved on. tnat the soldier leaned
heavily on his stout stick. Alas! how much longer
VIII the man VINO
call for hts pension on quarter dayf EVERYBODY
had papers" Some wero tied up In greasy
wrappers, some were torn and blackcncd with
much handling. many had been divided BY folding
and unfolding and were scwcd tOgetner, ana
nearly all bore the marks OF age. The boys
were ''charing." tue women were chattering.
At length the last oil the line passed out OF tine
every nook and corner. Mr.. s. B. butcher. the
United States Pension Agent, with his clerks, in
dustrously examined their claims, and paid them
as rapidly as possible. Up TO three O'Clock nearly
In both onices it was estma ed about GOO persons
would pe paid out OF the 1000 TO whom pensions
were due, and an amount approxtmattng to
THIRTY-FIyE THOUSAND DOLLARS.
aud only bring their pension papers, but others
have to bring witnesses every time they are paid
tnat their children are alive and that
tney are supporting them. There was
old Bible, bound round with black tape, in sort
or caOalistic wav and the way some or the pen
si6ners kissed the sacred book was at once touch
ing and ludicrous. Then the signatures OF pen
siOrers and witnesses would have set an
AUTOGRAPH HUNTER MAD.
There was the trcmulOus scrawl OF age, with
cramped and palsied touch; the awkward sigma
lures OF girls, and one marvellous autograph OF
flourish or writing master; but The crosses and
MARKS, blOts and bunglinGs pred0ninat At
length the hour for closing arrived. and the disap
pointed ones went sadly Awuy to take their turn
kept Its doors open until haltpast four O'Clock, In
order to cash tho checks OF the pensioners.