Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-24
A WAR VETERAN.

1
"Shay, Majah beg pard'n, sab; like t'set
you minute
The voice came from the shadows of the
balcony that hides from public view the
neat front of the City Hall building al
Front and 1 streets. The hour was neal
midnight, and the "Majahn was SUNDAY.
UNION reporter making his last round fol
the night.
Peering closely into the darkness, the
reporter discovered man half lying upon
box that stood in front of the building.
Beside him a crutch rested against the
wall. and the mans hat hung upon the top
| of it.
1t did not require second look to dis.
close the fact that the man was q cripple,
and that-he was drunk.
1t was the first time the reporter had
ever been honored with the title of "Majah."
Captain (of an archery club) was the high.
est military distinction he had ever reached,
and Judge Counts is the only relic of the
archery boom that remembers the "cap-
tain's" title, and honors it. Hence the re-.
porter took a friendly interest in the gentle
manly and appreciatiye drunk.
"Majah," the latter repeated, as he strug
gled to sitting posture, where ray of
light from an electric lamp fell upon his
face, 'give me your hand, sabl You
wouldn't refuse to shake bands with n
old Confederate soldier-would you,
Majah?n
The reporter took his hand. He was
man OF apparently fifty years of age, clean
shaver, except that he wore a mustache.
But for the effects of dissipation, he would
be good-looking, and certainly gave evil
dence of having been gentleman.
Might ask you, sab, he said, where
you were born 2"
well, suppose it is near enough to
say in New England"
The veteran besitated a moment, as if
the remark had recalled something to his
mind.
well, sab, that's all right; but, Majah,
L m Varginian, and an old Confederate
soldier, sah."
81 suppose that accounts for your infirm-
ity, and for the presence of that crutch ?'
That's Just it, Majah; you gee, sab,
was shot in the knee durin' the wah."
I'm what battle were you wounded %
"At the second Bull Run, sab, and Eve
been cripple ever SINCE"
There are number of gentlemen here
who were in the Confederate army-have
you met any of them?'
mo, Msjah, I've only been here couple
of days-Tm stranger here, sah."
well, you seem like an honest man that
has been unfortunate. Perhaps some of
your old comrades-in-arms might aid
you"
"God bless you, Majah Beg pard'n,
sab, but l reck'n you had good old
mother, sab p'
Eyes, and 1 can't but think that you
also had, my friend"
"Yes, Majsh, had good mother; my
mother, sab, was a granddaughter of Pat
rick Henry, sah-one of the true old Var
gipny stock. She never dreamed, sab, that
her favorite son would come to want"
well, come with me and PHI get you
bed for the night, and in the morning you
can have good breakfast and begin the
day in good shape"
"God bless you. Msjah Will you see
sab, that / am duly sober in the morning.
sab, as gentleman should be, sab ?"
'Oh, yes, We'll see that you're all right
in the morning"
By this time the Confederate veteran had
got upon his feet and, steadied by the re-
porter, had reached point nearly in 'front.'
OF the police station, when he stopped,
took long look at the building, and then
turned and asked:
"Majah, may l ask to what place, sab,
you are taking me?n
"Oh, certainly; it is place where penni-
less people are provided with free lodgings
at the citys expense. 1t is presided over
by very genial gentleman, Judge Buck
ley, who will"
Judge Buck beg pain, Msjah
You don't mean the police headquarters,
do you, sab %
well, yes but you will moi be locked
up. They don't know you there, and no
charge will be placed against you; but you
will have good nights sleep and good
breakfast"
The veteran had now disengaged his arm
from that of the reporter, and facing the
latter, said in pathetic tones:
MY dear Majsh God bless you. sab,
but with your permission I'd prefer to go
back and sleep on the box, sab, where you
found me. You see. Majah, l got out of
that place only this morning."
The reporter laid the polite old veteran
gently upon the box in front of the City
Hall, slipped quarter into his rest pocket
and left him to dream Of his old Virginia
home and the stirring scenes of the "wah."