The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-03-09


writes Franks from morning till night, stop.
ping only for his Cruel. Tho other inmates
are celebrating the Fourth but here is old
Hannibal at his customary occupation
He writes his name on every old envelope,
newspaper, or scrap of paper that he can
find, and puts them all in the big mail box
in the hall. Ofcoprse, like the contribu.
tions Of the rese of the inmates, they never
go any further than my Office. But be
doesn't know it, and he placidly keeps { n
writing franks. The only thing that, ever
exasperates him is the sight Of q, bsssqgc
stamp. suppose he will write ffsfiks till
the Day of Judgment. Such" added the
General, didactically, "is the force of habit"
"You must find curious collection of
epistles in your mail box, General?"
Rather? We have a good reading room
connected with the iAstitption, and mos. el
tho inmates take feke ~ tsrest IN current
affairs Many of them fancy that they arc
still Influential in shaping political events.
They write innumerable letters which no.
body ever reads but myself. Not long ago
| found letter from Blaine, addressed to
the Pope, asking for the Vatican influence
to help him along in the Presidential cam
paign of 'S4 You would have laughed at
the piteous appeal which Schuyler Colfax
once mailed to President Tilden. He wan.
ted the Post Office at South Bend, and said
he could produce certificates OF good moral
character. Only yesterday 1 found this
brief letter in the box. You may value it
as an autograph"
The General had been fumbling in his
pocket book and he handed me the follow
ing note, which | have preserved:
The RETREAT, July 3, 1880.
DEAR SYLPH: Although writing comes hard,
thought l would send you a single line. will
fight it out on this line if it takes all Summer.
may have made escapes, but my worst enemy
cannot say that ever let any guilty man mis-
take. u s. GRANT
What" exclaimed "is he here ?"
EYES," said our guide. 1--WE employ
him about the stables, and he seems tolera-
bly, happy. IF you give him cigar when
you pass there, he will be affected to tears. !"
The majority of the inmates had assem-
bled in the large courtyard of the asylum,
around which was high brick wall patroll-
cd by keepers. The recurrence of the ma
tional anniversary seemed to excite consid-
cradle enthusiasm. 1 recognized many
faces once familiar, but now almost forgot
ten. The assortment Of decaycd politicians
included representatives of every political
caste, from the ex-senator or the ex.Gov-
ernor to the played out ward striker. re-
marked the peculiar satisfaction with which
Gen. Butler pointed out Blaine. Apart
from all the others sat .Mortons of Indiana,
gloomy and morose, his chin resting upon
the handle of a crutch. l started to ap-
proach him, having known him in other
days.
You'd better not" said the Supcrntcn.
dent, catching my intention and my arme
at the same instant.
"Why not? ?"
YOU'D better not that's all" said Gen.
Butler, significantly and just then Morton
looked up from his crutch, and scowled
across the courtyard at John Sherman,
with an expression in his face which con-
vinccd me that the Superintendent was
right.
The Inmates had hoisted flag in honor
of tho day, and were making speeches. |
regret that am not able to report their re-
marks, which were full of patriotic scnti.
mcnt. l was particularly impressed with
the eloquent words of old Subsidy Pomeroy
who wept rs he pointed to the flag and
moved the following resolutions, which
we're seconded by Schuyler Colfax and
passed unanimously:
Resolved, That the inmates of this Retreat
point wbh prido to the record Of their services
in the fast and pledge their unwavering support
in the future to the Government Of this grand
Republic
Resolved, That the purity of our institutions
must be maintained at all hazards.
Resoiped, That o committee of three be ap-
pointed to lay these resolutions before Gen
Butler and to ask at the same time that
there be plums in the duff on the occasion Of
this anniversary of our national independence
In the cheering which followed the read
ing OF these resolutions, one old man
nearly as old as the centenaran whom ]
had seen iuside-swung his cap feebly, and
shouted in a .tremulous voice: "Pluu
duff! Plum duff! Ifany snipe attempts
to haul down that flag, shoot him on the
wing?"
Gen. Butler gave me meaning look
and tapped his forehead without making
any remark AS we passed out of the
courtyard into the dormitory building, w
came across solitary Inmate sitting upor
bench. He held book in his hand, ant
was repeating over and over these words !:
"A verb must agree with its nominativ'
in number ard person. A verb must agre
with its"
When the studious Inmate saw us, h
looked up eagerly, and said: "Will 20,
hear me now in verbs, General ?"
Come, Logan" replied the Superinten
dent, "pat up your book and 90 ont will
the others. It's holiday. III hear 20,
tomorrow"
"He has an idea," said Butler, as tn
dusky badent moved reluctantly away