Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-02-19
FEAR GLAZlER'S PENSION,

fEAh ulRLlth . rGNoioN'
"l'or my part | haven't the slight
est interest IN the future Of this coun-
try" said Fear Glazier, as her parents
were discussing late events with their
new ncighbors, the llavenS, 81 pre-
sumc ! should iccl quite differently II
my husband had not been killed In the
war Of the rebellion"
Your husband !" exclaimed Mr..
and Mrs, Haven, IN concert, with IN
quiring glances, The lady added
~ beg your pardon, but You look so
young had no idea you wero q
widow"
"Oh, am moi, laughed Fear,
amused that the little sally should
have been taken literally, 1--WE were
not married nor even engaged in fact
| don't know that We ever met. But
do You suppose that II young lady
with my good points, handsome,
stylish, intellectual, capable of appear
ing advantageou:ly in parior or kitch-
en- as cook. laundress or seamstress,
to say nothing of my abilities rs an
amateur in the musical line, and my
talent for dress making and millinery,
would have Arrived at the mture age
OF twenty, unloved and unwooed, il
the man who was created tor me
my other hail. according to Plato
had not is some way been made way
with? In what way was it so likely
to have happenedas in the army during
our late little unpleasantness, when our
brave youg men were slam by tens Of
: Don'tshakc your head
at the, mother; | must express my
opinion. Let the dlsinterested and
untorlorn bridge the bloody chasm if
the can, shall never be able to get
into such a willing frame Of mind
Her listeners were laughing immod-
erately.
"You ought to have a pension, re-
marked Mr.. Haven. Fear clapped
her hands in delight, exclaiming: $50
I had l never thought Of that be-
fore; you have no idea how grateful
1 fell toward you, Mr.. Haven | have
been telling people for years that my
husband was killed in the war, and
that it was very bad taste as we'll as un
teelingly to call me an old maid. And
you, dear Mr.. Haven, arc the first
person who has expressed the slightest
interest in my forlorn condition. Out
Of my gratitude to you | have a great
mind TO apply"
"Sh-sh," said her mother-you could
always hear this sibi)ant sound when
Fear was running on in Mrs. Glaciers
presepce--but her daughter gave no
heed.
"Do you think they would answer
my application at the departement in
Washington? How funny it would
be-"
"Celtainly; all letters that mean
business are answered quite promptly.
How long delay there might be be-
fore your claim would reach adjudica'
ton is another question. But in the
matter of this, your first letter be care
tul how you word it.
Something like this. for instance, |"
said Fear, seizing bit of paper, writ
ing rapidly with pencil, and reading
The undersigned, supposing her hus-
band to have peen killed during the late
war, hereby applies for pension.
Please address Fear Glazier,
No. s7--St. Montpelier, Vt.
"There, that is non-committal. |
do not say that pension is due me,
or that I have a valid claim to one, or
that | think / can get one. They
will perhaps notice my odd Puritan
name. aud won't mistrust | am in fun !;
and, Mr.. Haven, you know yon are a
lawyer, you don't suppose any harm
will come from it 7"
"Surely not ; don't See how the
could set up fraud from
this iultiatory act on your part in such
a case, although should not advise
every young lady of my acquaintance
to take such course. In the present
instance I do not think it Objectionable
only be sure You show the reply to us
and afterwards keer your own counsel.
Copy what you have written and di.-
rect simply. Commissioner Of Pen.