Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-21
eyes. I got nv dose at the Bloody Angle.

"Yes, got nv dose at the Bloody Angle
Spottsylvania. you know" He halted on see,
ing visitors, and nodded an easy good even
ing. as did the others. One old gentleman.
cieah-shaved and pleasant-faced. in the center
OF the circle. WAS especially sociable. and ex-
pressed his pleasure at finding such haven
II TINS bitter weather. There was a strong
suspicion of the brogue in his speech. which
IoLty years residence in America had not been
able to eradicate. As we returned to the
parlor Capt. Craig told funny little incident
tnat happened to the old man on his arrival in
washington just few DAYS before. He was
then adorned with long gray beard reaching
10 MS waist. grizzly hair falling in tangled
MASSES on his shoulders. and a generally
patriarchal appearance that attracted the at
tentlon OF an art student. who met him
on + street requested him to come to
the rooms Of the Art Students League
and pose, agreeing to give him half dollar
hour FOR his services. The old man gladly con-
sented. for his funds we're at low ebb. An
hour was appointed. and wishing to present
creditable appearance the veteran FASTENED to
a barber shop, had his hair cut short his beard
entirely shaved of. and himself spruccd up
generally. He appeared at the league rooms
promptly on time. but his Young artist en-
ployer failed to recognize In this Snug face the
picturesque model he had seen on the street,
and he was ANONYMOUSLY turned out, to his
profound sstonshment and wrath.
Mr; Chambers, superintendent Of the home
Its management, here chimed in with an Incl
dent that deserves to be recorded.
"One summer night about six months ago"
ne began. there came in little old man,
bowed In form. his face scanned and wrinkled
like frosted pippin. but evidently still in the
ring. as Rev. Sam Jones would say. con-
menced recording his name and military his
tory, which went smoothly enough, viz: John
wilcox. company &. tenth Tennessee volun-
teer infantry; prior to that in the regular army,
lfsftl
prior to that in the war of tsp
stop said L, you'll get back in the revolu-
fionary war if you keep on
oh. was the foot-tool then. anyhow
plped the aged veteran in q soueaky voice and
with the ghost Of a cackle away down III his
throat.
You were?' said I. in an awed whisper.
How old are you?'
lone hundred and twenty-four years old
come next December, was the paralyzing reply
l inspected his papers, of which he had plenti-
ful supply. and although they did not prove
his age to be all that he Claimed. yet they
showed that it must be far beyond that of the
average mortal. and as he stoutly insisted upon
the veraclty of his statement it went down so
upon the record And here the superintend-
ent exhibited the home register. containing
name, service and age. stated. lie only
stayed with us over night he continued. ''IIe
went down to the Hampton Home the next
day, and have never heard from him since.
THE SUPPORT OF THE HOME
And now TO get back 20 statistics said
President Craig" Congress has given us
another 1880 Tor the current year. but am
afraid the balance will be on the wrong side OF
the le'lger Oh the 30th of June as the increase
III applications Is already FAR in excess of those
received up to the corresponding time last year.
Our guests come from every state and terri
tory, and the dependent pension bill is in
creaslnS the throng. The most of these old
soldiers think that if they can get inside the
pension building their claims will go through
At once. not considering that there may be tens
OF thousands ahead OF them. and as Justly en-
TITLED They can't be made to realize that they
would fare just as well by correspondence from
their homes. So work is increasing and
our resources are not. We are under special
Obligations to the various wOman's relief corps
and comrades of the departments for donations
of clothing. &c. which is often sadly needed.
10 avoid any mistake you NAV say that very
lew of our applicants are members of the
Grand Army"
The officers of the Home for the present year
are David Il. Craig. president: Rev. Samuel
Kramer, vice president: Thomas Turnbull.
secretary; Amos J. Cunning. treasurer and
James Il. Brown. manager. the board of man.
aSemens consisting of the above and a repre-
sentative from nearly every post of the Depart
ment of the Potomac.
As the writer was departing the tobacco par
lament had apparently adjourned for the vet
Grams were quletly going upstairs to bed. some
OF them no doubt contrasting their present
comfortable quarters and brotherly welcome
with former experiences of police stations or
lucent lodging houses. of which they have had
experience. And SO We babe adieu to this Mill
tary Poor Travellers Inn and its warm-hearted
unselfish managers. who labor without fee or
reward save the pleasure of doing little some
thing to tighten the hard lot of the boys who
mayhap stood in line with them at Shiloh or
Antietam or Gettysburg, and who have felt the
seamy side of life in the weary years since
then.