The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-12-03

Walkabout is proud now. The STATESMAN
managers have furnished his column with
new type and surrounded it with mOlasses
candy and roses. Don't it look sweet, Ell?
Walkabout is not going to let his children
play with his neighbours children any
longer, and as soon as he is able he is 60
ing to wear stovepipe hBt. Things must
compare you know. Just take another
look at his column. Amt it a beauty!
Lord. but it is handsome! Walkabout
has something to live for now, and he is
going to live.
Walkabout will make a few remarks
concerning the
SOLDIERS HOME.
Before a railroad reached Austin,
Walkabout used to come here from San
Antonio in stage, and when he arriv
ed on the crown of the hill across the river,
he would have the driver stop the stage
until all the passengers had time to over
look Austin, and view its glistening spires
and towering buildings, and in every in
stance expressions of delight were indulg
ed in, for a more imposing view cannot be
found in the whole country Well, it is
right there these ten acres lie that were
donated by Maj. J. t. Breckenridge, for
the use of the Soldiers Home. 1t may not
be a breach of confidence to
state that that donation was
inspired by lady, yea, by
MRS. ]. t. BRECKENRIDGE!
Print that name in bold letters, Mr..
Printer. 1t was ever so. During those
four long, bloody years, there never was a
call for help in the southern confederacy
that the destitute ladies of the south did
not respond. They deprived themselves
of all the Injuries and many of the neces-
saries of life to assist in what they con-
sidered to be righteous cause. And now,
when provision is to be made for destitute
soldiers who survived that war, and their
widows and orphans, the very first to
come forward and lay an offering on the
altar is lady! Do you suppose there is
no heaven for such as these? In paren-
thesis Walkabout will remark that
charity seems to be leading
characteristic in that family.
No sooner did the cry come up from the
sea that thousands of poor people had
been rendered destitute by great fire,
than Maj. j. T. Breckenridge rushed to
the wires and requested that he be drawn
upon for $3.50! He did not wait to be
solicited. He never waits when suffering
humanity needs his aid. But let US not lose
sight of the Soldiers Home.
When the cruel war was over, those who
had survived it returned to their desolate
homes. Many returned mutilated, and
others with health impaired, to begin life
anew amid dissolution and gloom. Where
their former crops had fiourished the
weeds had taken possession, and work
shops had gone to decay. Wives
and children were in rags and their
stock of all kinds had died or gone astray.
Their servants had been freed, and star
walton stared them in the face. Blinded
as they were with trouble, all that were
able to do anything at all went to work
with heavy hearts. After years of suffer
ing for the want of the comforts of life,
some few succeeded in regaining their for
mer prosperity, but the many remained
destitute in spite of. their endeavors.
Mony of these went broken hearted to
IT, cir graves, but still some survived, and
1T is for these that the Soldiers Home is to
-be 1Prersrrctfi. -And~4rsre let us ask, if
hose who risked their lives on the battle
ED are not entitled to as much consider
alton as they would have received had
they been victorious? Is merit to be
gagged by success? Heaven forbid.
If there is on this earth an individual
to whom the world owes living, it is he
who lost his all in endeavoring to protect
the land which gave him birth. 1t is for
such as these, and the widows and orphans
of those deceased ex-Confederate soldiers
and sailors throughout the union, that the
John B. Hood camp of Confederate vet
Grams is being established in Austin.
When its object becomes generally
known, there will certainly be found in
the south sufficient patriotism and graft
tude to warrant its construction. This is
matter that should not be delayed, and
it is to be hoped that the press through
out the length and breadth of our sunny
land will take up this subject
and lay it before their readers. Let
us comfort these aged soldiers and widows
while they stand in need of aid. But a
few short years will elapse before they
will be out of reach of aid. If, therefore,
we are going to do anything for them
now is the time. Let us hurry up this
matter, and let what there is to be done
be done quickly. If you desire any fur
ther information concerning this contem-
plated home, send for it. If you have
any contributions to make forward them
to Major j. t. Breckenridge, president of
the First national bank, in Austin, Texas.
Twenty-Five thousand dollars are needed
Immediately to pay for the erection of
buildings, and to furnish them.
This home must and will be built, even
If it becomes necessary to appeal to the
ladies of the south. It is this final appeal
now held in reserve, which warrants the
assertion that lit will be built"
An individual who is as s'pure" as sever
al baking powders advertised in our midst
needs no reformation. Like John Barley
corn, they have not sinned duIing the past
twenty-four hours.
Every day Walkabout goes over to
Capt. Marks photograph gallery to see
how his picture is coming on. You will
remember that the captain is working
some of the life-like out of it. While
there Saturday w. overheard the following
conversation: II say, Mr.. Pictureman, ]
want you to make picture of my girl
swell, trot her in and I'll do it," 'But
can't. She lives in the country 200 miles
from here. I can describe her so that you
can make correct picture, 1 reckon
She has yellow hair, one
of her eyes turns in towards
her nose httle-I am not certain which
eye it is-and one of her front teeth
comes out beyond the rest, and''-here
I1~o1~ l. 4