The National tribune., 1881-05-01
The Beneacence of Washington.

Lieutenant B, who distinguished himself in several
battles that fought the close of Revolutions
ary war had the happiness win the heart of Caroline
S. the daughter of of Virgnias proudest aris-
tocrat but not the good fortune the approval of
her family In fact his advances repulsed and he
left the alternative of eudeayorng to induce Caroline
to leave all for him, abandon his suit He
of temperament choose the latter course and Miss
loved him too truly TO hesitate long in her choice
OF the two left for her adoption They
red privately and without the knowledge of Mr.. ~.
When the latter received of what had been
DONE he obeyed the dictates of wounded pride and re-
fused to be reconced to his daughter.
Shortly after the marriage of Lieutenant S., he
oIdered to the Western frontier Caroline accompanied
him. and bore the change in her lot with the pa
thence of loving wife. Three years after this removal
10 far Western post during which time the young wife
had not once heard from home although she had written
often In the hope that would reen the health
of Lieutenant S. began to decline rapidly that it
became necessary for him seek life of less exposure
than the one he was leading As he had income be-
yond his pay officer il he retired from tbe army he
must enter into business pursuit for livelihood
de was good engineer but an engineer liable to
severe exposure officer Finally after considering
the matter carefully, he determined write ON the
head of the War Department, whom he well known
and solicit the first office that might become vacant He
also addressed letter to General Washington then
President of the United States who had or twice
honoraby noticed him during the Revolutionary cam
pagn stating his and asking him to second his ap
pication to the Secretary of War.
This application successful Lieutenant S-
received an early appointment at salary of twelve hun
dred dollars year, and Immediately removed with his
wife and one child to Washington City Instead how
ever OF finding that Improvement in his health which he
mad anticipated the change from active service in the
open air to passive life iu small room with the con-
fined atmosphere, detrimental rather than beneficial
He paer aud thinner daily his strength gradu
ally failed To couneract this he used much exercise
as the intervals OF his freedom from the duties of his Of
flee would permit This santary and prolonged his
life for several But the destroyer at work and
his victim at last yielded TO his steady nvoaas
On the death of Lieutenant S. he lett his grief
stricken widow with scarcely hundred dollars And
this was all she possessed in the world What she
to do when this gone than she could tell
she knew of possible of subsistence for herself
and child and sank down in grief and helpless despon
dency She had made few friends since her residence
in Washington and these felt deeply her situation One
OF these friends, who had occupied the office with
Lieutenant s. represented the destitute condition OF
the widow to the head of the department and obtained
for her the copying of various documents by which
she able TO just about enough procure the
essarles OF life This continued for months during
which time Mrs, s. worked diligently but in sorrow
and dependency Several times she wrote home anC
represented her condition iii the most earnest and touch
Ing manner but replies to her letters each o.
which stained and boted by her tears that she sroy
in vain to repress
Never having been used such close application
bodily employment as was now required of her. Mrs.
became weary and faint her task One day she el
unwe that she could hardly continue her employment
Her head ached with throbbng, binding pain, ant
every and then faint sickness would pass her
At length she suddenly from the table az which sh
was writing, and staggering toward the bed had jus
time to throw herself upon it, when she sunk into insen
sbility. She had tainted She aore with her lttl
girl, about nine years old, when this occurred. Th
frightened child when she her mothers deathly face
OF the house and almost dew the office of th
physician who had heen in the habit attending the fam
lily. But he not III.
Where shall gop p' she asked wringing her hands 1
agony. "My mother will die =
Being directed another physician distance away
she to his office but be- too, out. Almost will
with alarm, the poor child turned her steps hsme