The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-06-15
BROADDRIM'S N. Y. LETTER.

As spring glides gently into the arms of
summer, we set aside its parting day to
crown With flowers the graves of our glori-
GUS dead. Year after year, | see great gaps
in the ranks of the Grand Army Posts,
which keep sacred this holy celebration.
On Thursday, the President of the United
States was to review the troops in Brook
lyn. The fact of his presence seemed to in
spire the old soldiers, for he was q soldier
himself, and hundreds of old men who
could scarcely walk, donned the Post uni
form, and proudly pinned the faded Grand
Army badge upon their breasts, and with
faltering steps marched over the route of
many miles as proudly and as cheerfully as
when they answered their country's call
twenty-nine years ago, and went out to do
battle for the Union. The day opened
gloomily, cold. wind swept through the
streets, and the heavy clouds hung threat
eningly over the city, giving evil promise
for the day, sharp furries of rain seemed
to add to the discomfort, but these unto
ward events made no impression on the
veterans. Here and there was some dandy
drum-major, -resplendent in gold lace and
brilliant in gorgeous color, whosshrunk APP
palled from the chill, blast and the search
rain; bat the tough old soldiers, who had
tramped through the swamps of the Chick
ahoLainy or marched with Sherman from
Atlanta to the sea, kept on, despite the
wind or rain, and Strengthened up with the
old time elan as they passed the reviewing
stand where the Pesident sat, and the,
swung their caps and gave a succession of
ringing cheers, while the band struck up
: that stirring old army tune "When johnny
comes Marching Home" But, however
threatening the early part of the day, their
fears we're all dissipated before high noon
the rain vanished, the air grew warmer, a
thin fleece of clouds tempered the heat of
the sun and made marching a delightful
exercise. The review passed off splendid
ly, and in the afternoon thousands went TO
Greenwood to scatter flowers over the
graves of our departed heroes. There are
manv graves in that beautiful metropolis of
those who fought under the stars and bars,
and who died far away from their southern
homes. But they were not forgotten on
Decoration Day. Sweet minstering angels
whose fathers, sons. husbands and BROTH
ers, fell on Southern battletields, fighting
for the stars and stripes, did all their south
ern mothers, wives, daughters or sweet
hearts would do TO honor the graves of
their dead. Not one of them was neglect
ed The bitterness of the strife was for
gotten in the solemn presence of the dead,
and friend and foe rest camly side by side
in the sleep which shall know no waking
till the judgement morning, but sweet
flowers crowned the graves of all alike.
A year ago, Martin G. johnson a survey
or, died at Jamaica, Long Island, leaving a
fortune of a half million of dollars Mr.,
johnson, married, late in life, widow OF
some property, which he consented to
manage in his wife's behalf, and which,
by ludiclous and thrifty investments, he
considerably increased. Mr.. johnson, in
his lifetime, was not celebrated for his gen
erosity or liberality, but the extent OF his
character for thrift was not fully apparent
till the da, after his death, when his will
was read and his accounts were examined
b. the ex xscutors. 1t then appeared, thai
Tor period OF eighteen years of his married
life, he charged his wife's estate, with one
half of their mutual expenses. 1t was his
custom once a year, to send the village pas
tor fruit cake OH the occasion of his don.
visit. The cake was alwals made b. Mrs
johnson, but the materials-the flour, the
ralslns, the curfanIs, etc.-were provided
by Mr.. johnson. When his accounts were
examined last year, il was found that one
half the cost of all the cakes-eighteen i'm
number covering period of eighteen years
was charged TO Mrs. johnson, and he
had made her no allowance for the making.
Some OF the charges however, almost ex-
ceed belief. Mrs. johnson was taken viii h
cramps one morning, and wanted some par
egorlc. Mr. johnson went TO the drug
store for IL, which was over a mile away.
The cost of the paregoric was five cents,
and Mr.. johnson charged her three dollars
for this time, going and coming. Mr. John.
sons time appears TO have had specific
cash value. One day Mrs. johnson thought
she would like TO 90 to ConeY Island, and
she asked Mr. johnson If he would like TO
go alongP Mr.. johnson thought he would,
so on they started aud had a Jolly good
time; but 1t appears from his little ledger,
that he charged her with all the railroad
fares, all the clans they eat, two bologna
sausages. two beers, two rides on the merry-
go-rounder, and seven dollars and fifty
cents for his time On her birthday he
made her present of a camel shair shawl.
and he charged her with fifty dollars. Two
spools of cottOns and paper of needles are
put down at twenty cents. Time in getting
them four dollars. The entire charges
footed up $4,000. When lie died his in
come exceeded $4,000 a year, and e
cost of his living was less than $500. He
pinched himself and everybody else while
he was alive; and he only parted with his
money bags when he could keep them no
longer. Mrs. johnson sued the estate fol
the charges made against her, and this
week the Supreme Court handed down a
judgement for the full amount 80, 800; the
Court deciding that a husband is bound,
not only TO support his wife, but that he
must also furnish her with paregoric when
eyer she has pain, free of cost. If he
gives her present be must stand the shot.
Good for the Court; ''oh wise young judge