The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-05-15

IL was several months ago. We
were sitting by cozy fire in the cloak
room on the Democratic side of the
House OF Representatives, when ex.
Governor Andrew G.. Curtin of Penn.
sylvania entered. His hair is as white
as the plumage of snowy horse, but
he retains much of the fire of youth
He is as straight as an arrow. and his
eyes sparkle like the eyes of a canary
And there is full as much music in
him. His mind is as clear as an Italian
sky, his memory Of past events marve- -
lous, and his power of description per-
feet A colored boy took his coat,
hat and umbrella and he Joined the
storytelling group at the bright fireside
1t was favorite nook with him while
a member of the House. He PREFER
ed 1t to the room of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, of which he was chair
man. He was hardly seated before
General Forney of Alabama passed
him a fragrant lntimidad. After light
ing he crossed his legs, blew wreaths
Of smoke into the air and listened to
past "reminiscences.
In the hall outside the droning read
ing of the Clerk of the House was
heard, interrupted at times by the
sharp rap OF the Speakers gavel
Through the open door a glimpse at
the side gallery was had. Several
ladies were leaning forward, evidently
regarding the little circle at the ingle
side with curious interest. Their at
tention was momentarily distracted by
sharp spat between General Spinola
and Louis f. McComas over a district
bill, but it again became concentrated
upon the group IN the cloak room.
Governor Curtin was telling a war
story. The handsome old fellow was
all aglow. His face pictured the emo
tons of his soul and his gestures were
alive with descriptive power Framed
by the doorway with the fire as back
ground, and such men as Crisp of
Georgia and Flower of New York in
the circle of listeners, he must have
made more than interesting picture
as seen from the galleries.
There was some humor in the Gov
ernor's story, but it was almost lost in
its strain of sentiment. The incident
occurred in the second or third year of
the war. The Governor had left Har-
risburg and come to Washington on
business. A great battle had been
fought. The number of killed and
wounded had mounted into the thou
sands. Governor Curtin had been in
consultation with the President and
members of his cabinet. He had re-
turned to the capitol, where there was
a night session Of Congress, when an
old lady dressed in deep mourning &C
costed him. She was evidently very
poor and nearly distracted. She wore
old. fashioned black mitts, and her
habiliments of woe were worn and
rusty. Her face was wan and wrin-
kled, and her fingers we're toughened
with work and gnarled with rheuma-
tism. She had not heard from her
boy since the great battle, and had
come to Washington in Search of in
formation. He had enlisted in regi-
ment raised in the mountains of Penn
sylvania, and had been at the front for
more than a year.
"Oh, Governor" she cried, as tears
streamed down her faded cheeks, "my
boy never tailed to write before. He
always sent me letter after battle.
havn't heard from him now in more
than fortnight. He's the only boy
left me, and / can never live without
him. Oh, fear he's dead or sorely
wounded. If could only get through
the lines to nurse him or bring his
body back home. Please, Governor,
try to get pass, and God will bless
you. My heart vii break without my
boy.
The Governor said he heard the
number of the regiment with shud-
der. 1t had been in the heart of the
fight, and had been cut to pieces. His
heart went out to the mother If her
boy was alive he was determined that
she should see him, or if dead that she
should have his body. Upon question
ing he found that she was utterly des-
titute. She hadn't even money enough
to pay for nights lodging He as
sured her that he would do what he
could for her.
He would see either the President or
the Secretary of War in the morning
and get her pass through our lines.
Then he took her by the arm and es-
corted her down stairs. Passing out
under the arch of the Senate wing of
the Capitol he halted a cab. Calamity
assisting the old lady into it he paid
the cabman his fee, and told him to
drive his charge TO a hotel, where the
Governor was well known, and where
he had sent many destitute friend.
As the cab ratified away the Governor
turned to re-enter the Capitol, when