The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-05-10

other two was.
While my papers were being folded
and written upon / looked with Curios-
ity at my comrades. One was un-
doubtedly "school marm." 1t showed
for itself IN many ways Tall, thin,
plain, with an intellectual face. She
wrote carefully and without study her an
swers to the questions and folded her
papers with precision and neatness
that spoke well for any work entrusted
to her, and made me feel green with
envy. Both ladies had reached that
stage in life called one of "uncertain
age" Why uncertain | could never
see plainly. BIT the other writer in
terested me. A lady without doubt !;
once "of the world" but of it no more,
was written plainly on the strong,
thoughtful face ana in the dignifisd,
queenly figure. Age and care had
lined the once handsome face and
whitened the hair. Later | learned her
history and that my surmises were cor
rect. Bv stroke OF fate our desks
were next to each other for many
months and through her eventually my
| lite's story was changed. She was a
widow of once noted army officer.
Through the carelessness OF trustees
her fortune was swept away. The same
government that honored her husband
while living soon gave her means of
earning her bread. a bill had been
introduced in Congress to give her a
suitable pension, but was delayed and
seemed almost hopelessly cast aside.
Later it was granted and she gladly re
signed her position to Others more
needy and less interesting.
We all three left that building and
went to the pension cffice on Twelfth
street. 1t was a relief to me to be with
the two older ladies, and they both as
sumed a care and helpfulness that |
never ceased to remember gratefully.
Another office, with several desks, oc-
cupied by men busly writing and mes
sengers coming in and going out, carry
ing papers. We waited some time, and
at last, our papers being seen and ap-
! ! p. oveu, we were gwen c5.ds. with cur
name and number of building and room
thereon. The "school-teacher" said
"good-by" and went to another build
ing, while the other lady and myself
followed messenger up a flight of
stairs and into a large, well lighted
room. 1t was filed with desks, men,
women and chairs, and all SWAN IN a
confused circle before my frightened
eyes. In moment of composure l
began counting, and found that there
were eighty clerks assigned in this room,
seventy of whom were men and ten
women. The desks were arranged in
rows, as at school, eight rows, with six
in row.
The ladies Gall, with one exception,
looked like ladies) had the lightest,
warmest side of the room and were in
row by themselves. The scratch of
pens, or rafting of papers, with an oc
casional subdued remark, was all that
broke the silence. At the end Of the
room and facing the others were the
desks of the Chief and Assistant Chief
of the division. | almost expected to
see apples, knives and marbles there
it seemed Ike grown up" school
room over which two teachers sided.
A soldierly looking gentleman came
forward, and offaring chairs, looked ct
our cards. In a few minutes we were
shown the ladies' clOak-room, a small,
neat room, cared for by an elderly col
ored woman (once maid to one OF
the mistreSses OF the White House)
and upon our return were gwen desks
at the end of the line of ladies.
The work was making out papers for
pension cases, copying old war records
Of the revolutionary war. These last
were really interesting, containing many
q laint historical facts, that lie hidden
IN the ola yellow parchme nts. In one
of the payro!ls was pinned receipted
bill, made out to "George Washington
for We shoeing of one horse" by one
"Phineas Seely." | have forgotten the
amount, but the debt was paid. There
were many funnv applications for pen
siops, the reasons for applying being
absurd beyond belief. One old fellow
applied because "his wife first husband
had been killed in battle, and he, hav-
ing married her and endured her TEN.
per and bad cooking for many years,
until death released her from this world
and himself from the above trials, he
desired a pension Oh that account"
From 9 in the morning until 4 in the
afternoon we wrote at our desks, with
a half hour for lunch, every day but
Sunday. OF the men employed as
clerks nearly all had suffered in some
way from the war, through which most
had passed. Some few were there
through influence. OF the twelve
Counting the last two asSigned) women
employed, eight were widows, either
wives or daughters of men killed in bat
tie. The four young women were Or
phans. The most perfect decorum
prevailed and | can assert that no lady
could fail to be treated with greater re
spect by all with whom she may come
in contact.
Ispeak from only briet months ex
penence, but in that time, on account
of rapid penmanship, was sent from
one room to another to assist IN work
needed in hurry, | saw and heard
enough of the different people to write