Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-05-14
Fear Glaciers Pension

discussing late events Win their new
neighbOrs, the Havens. 81 presume l
should feel quite differently if my hus-
band had not been killed in the war of
the rebellion"
"Your husband !" exclaimed Mr.. and
Mrs Haven. in concert. with inquiring
glances. Then the lady added, Il beg
your pardon. but you look SO young l
had no idea you were widow"
"Oh, | am not" laughed Fear, anus
ed that the little sally should have been
taken literally. "We were not married
nor even engaged in fact. don't know
that we ever met. But do you suppose
that young lady with my good points.
handsome, stylish, intellectual. capable
of arguing advantageously in parlor or
kitchen as cook. laundress or seamstress.
to say nothing of my abilities as an am
ateur in the musical line, and my talent
for dress-making and millinery, would
have arrived at the mature age of twen-
ty, unloved, and even unwooed, if the
man who was created for me-my other
half, according to Plato-had not in
some foul way been made way with =?
In what way was it so likely to have
happened as in the army during our late
little unpleasantness, when our brave
young men were slain BY tens of thou
sands? +? Don't shake your head at me-
mother; must express my opinion. Let
the disinterested and unforlorn bridge
the bloody chasm if they can. 1 shall
never be able to get into such a willing
frame of mind"
Her listeners were laughing immoder-
ately.
"You ought to have pension" re-
marked Mr.. Haven. Fear clarped her
hands In delieAt, exclaiming: $50 l
bod never thOug ght of that before;
you have no idea how grateful l feel
towards you, Mr.. Haven. l have been
telling people for years that my husband
was killed in the late war, and that it
was in very bad taste as we'll as unfeel-
ing to call me an old maid. And you,
dear Mr.. Haven, are the first person who
has expressed the slightest interest in
my forlorn condition. Out of gratitude
to you have great mind TO apply"
"Sh-sh, said her mother-you could
always hear this sibilant sound when
Fear was running on in Mrs. Glaciers
presence-but her daughter gave no
heed.
''Do you think they would answer my
application at the department in Wash
ington? How funny it would be-"
Certainly; all the letters that mean
business are answered quite promptly.
How long delay there might be before
your claim would reach adjudication is
another question. But in the matter of
this, your first letter, be careful how
you word it."
Something like this, for instance, :"
said Fear, seizing bit of paper, writing
rapidly with pencil, and reading aloud !:
The undersigned. supposing her hus-
band to have been killed during the late
war, hereby applies for pension. Please
address FEAR GLAz1ER,
No. 81 - St., Montpelier, Vt.
There. that is nen-ccmmittal. l do
not say that a pension is due me, or
that | have a valid claim to one, or that
| think | can get one. They will. per-
haps, notice my odd Puritan name, and
won't mistrust ! am in fun; and, Mr..
Haven, you know you are lawyer, you
! don't suppose any harm will come from
it ?"
"Surely not don't see how the gov
ernment could set up fraud from this in
itiatory act on your part in such case,
although l should not advise every young
lady Of my acquaintance to take such a
course. In the present instance do moi
think it Objectionable, only be sure you
show the reply to US, and afterward keeE
, your own counsel. Copy what you have
7 written. and direct simply, Commission
er of Pensions, Washington, d. c."
"Can l, may 1. father ?'' asked Fear
capering across the room and standing
in front of the person addressed; "anc
) may have the letters sent to Rutland
and will you get them for me ?"
81 don't care yes, Mr.. Haven is m,
lawyer and would not counsel my daugh
ter to get into trouble with Uncle Sam
' So the next morning the letter wa
e mailed and in just weeks time an an
' swer came, huge document-like epistle
directed to Mrs. Fear Glazier. 1t wa
: short and to the point, being printec
form with the blanks filled in beauti
: fully fine clear hand:
I OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, !
Y WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 10, 1876. I
4 Will the claimant please state partic
t ulars, giving nalne, age and color of de
ceased soldier; also his regiment an
company, and when and where enlisted
} COMMISSIONER.
= per J. J
;. "'J. j. that means Jumping Jack,
II said Fear, as she displayed the letter t
e the Havens, and she concluded the
= must think the matter wonderful