The Indianapolis journal., 1892-11-05

one. and their limbs are q trif1e less steady.
The hands appear thinner, and the eyes
DINNER. and on each succeeding quarter
old familiar faces are missed. and In many
cases they never come again to accept
the small sums of money, given them by the
large-hearted Nation for the services in
that war, which can never be forgotten by
the American people 1t 10 q small token
on the part OF the government, but it shows
that the gratitude of the people still lives
and is extended to them.
There has been so much said about the
empty sleeve" that the phrase passes for
the reality, after much the same fashion as
does the old steel engraving go
for the heroes of old whose feat
ures it was intended to perpetuate.
There has been much said about the empty
sleeve, but never was there such eloquence
of expression In regard to this trophy OF
the war as was yesterday seen about the
pension office where hundreds of the real
ity congregated and waited In the room or
on the outside of the building for the money
due them. In some cases the other sleeve
held Q palsied hand that could
scarcely take the 81 money but asI when
when these friends of the darker hours
recognized each other, and the old stories
were retold. from Gettysburg TO Sherman's
triumphant march, and occasionally when
the w0rn-out incident OF joke crept in be-
tween battles. 1t was very pathetic to hear
these same old soldiers laugh out as heart
lily and merrily as little children and
among most of them indeed there
can can tr. at the he.,,.n1o most msss,,o. p. but
the pension Office. where the rations are re-
ceived with which to make their remain
ing days more comfortable and cheerful.
but SO long as they do come. no matter at
what hour, nor in whatsoever kind of
weather, they find welcome in Uncle Sam
that shall never wear out. and in him. as
ever, they recognize the same old comrade,
as kind at heart, as generous OF nature and
as high of mind as was the original Father
100000 strong.
The fact is to be deplored that police
protection is necessary TO the old soldier
on the day he receives his rewards. IL
coyed, drugged and robbed of his money
here in Indianapolis. Yesterday police
headquarters were informed that there
were characters of suspicious nature in
the city, who might attempt to use the
penny pill" on the soldiers after they had
received their pay. The Dill is simply an
opium drug and is quick in its work.
Several detectives were on hand yesterday
morning and the street in front of the
agency was kept clear of doubtful-loaEing
Few people can have any idea of the
amount or volume of business transacted
at the pension Office at q quarterly pay
ment unless they have been there as an
eyewitness. Think OF iti Three hundred
pounds of signed checks are used. The
vouchers and envelopes that come in by
mail weigh one ard 0ne-quarter ton, and
the same weight Is, in turn. sent out Yes
terday there were 2, $50 people paid at the
counter, the money amounting to Sll5,575.
By mail 5.S40 pensioners were paid
last night, the sum aggregating $225 $40
The work of paying $3.50 people. paid at
the DESK, equals that OF paying 10000 by
mail. from The fact that the claim by mail
contains the vouchers already executed
and ready for payment. This morning the
big mail begins with LOO pounds for a
will be in, except from far West
ern States. and all will be paid in
two paymenta Other agencies over the
land accomplish the same work IN
eight and ten different payments. using
considerable more time. CAPTAIN Ensley
has bis office work so thoroughly systema-
tized that during the last eighteen months
department. on account of being neglected.
The correspondence in this line between
the agency and the soldier has dropped off
altogether. BY next Tuesday night he will
have paid out in round numbers $500, 900,
S175.0 600 of which will 60 to this county.
Yesterday was an unusual day. ADOut
fifteen hundred more pensions were paid
than at the Last payment. The death-rate
among the old soldiers Ia at present about
one hundred per month. which In five years
hence will increase c0rresponcingly. There
was not buster place in this city yester-
day than Uncle Sans disbursement bureau
on Maryl land street.