The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-22

in which the same government had left
him In bondage; no murmuring because he
had been turned ont upon the world with
freedom and nothing more; no bitterness
because of his son whom the government
had sacrificed. Only gratitude In that
simple. loyal heart for the gift all men
should have been born with under the stars
and stripes-boasted banner of liberty.
Then the old man died. enteebled, no
doubt from exposure in camp during the
war years and the nervous strain Of many
battlefelds. which no man. however brave,
ever passed through without weakening
the foundations of life. Hits pOw'ful
good gov'munt," he said TO the last
The widow was left to care for herself.
Over her wash-tubs sh6 toIled patiently
BnG without complaint until passing yeara
knotted her fingers and stiffened her knees
with rheumatism. Then some friend be-
thought him of the possibility of pension.
She was dependent, and she had given q
son to her country. The grateful country
offered recompense for such losses when
the facts were proved. But here they
were not easy to prove. Witnesses who
could have testified were dead or their
whereabouts unknown. Official records
dead or only missing" The government
rightfully demanded proof. and absolute
proof could not be obtained. so there was
no pension for this soldiers mother. And
yet they say it is easy TO get pensions, and
that the payroll is full OF fraudulent
ciaims
The widow toiled on. and even liberty
lost something of its charm. Hits good
gov'munJ. | reckon" she said. one day,
when rheumatic twIDges were keener than
usual and the supply of fuel low. Hits
q good gov'munt my ole man lowed. bat
my ole mastah, down In Faginny. would n
20 lef n ole nIggah woman 10 sta've when
her husban' an chlllen all gone dad on hia
count" Then came the law that gave q
pension to a dependent widow of any hon.
orally disc harged soldier. whether he died
by disease contracted during service IN tho
army or not. Here was another opportuni-
ty. but even here success was prob
lematical. There must be proof OF
marriage. proof of their life together proof
of the soldiers discharge. OF his death,
and of her Dependence; there must 10 wit
nesses to this. that and the other, anu wit
nesses to the facts set forth in pension aD-
plications are scattered the world over, and
their memories are uncertain. When all
seemed complete back from the department
at Washington came demand for further
proof on this point and the testimony OF
additional witnesses on that. When that
was furnished, after much effort, came
again a request for more specifications.
Yet they say-they who grudge the soldier
q dollar from the treasury-thoy say it ia
easy to procure q pension, and that any ap-
plicant may have one.
The other day, unexpectedly, the long
hoped for pension papers came. Formidable
documents they we're, that authorized the
widow TO draw from the government the
stipend granted her for the sake of the
husband who had fought hravey IN his
conntry's battles. Eight dollars a month
is at her command from now until the end
of her years. She is old and they will not
be many years 1t is not large sum to
keep her in food and clothing. and with
roof over her head and the little Injuries
that the aged. even though they be black.
crave and enjoy. But she does not criticise
the amount; TO her 1t is n fortune.
She is glad and grnteful-sbe who
gave son and husband that the
country might live. Tears are
In her eyes when she talks of To- Hits
mighty good govmunt-a right lIber'l
gov'muniD she says. 'Im glad Is bawn
here std o. lrelan' or some o those YER
heather countries" she adds. waving her
hand vaguely towards the horizon: Hits
n great govmunt. bless the Lawdv
And they say-the fault-hnding people
before mentloued-that pensioners do not
appreciate their inestmable privileges,
that they fairly roll IN undeserved wealth.
and that pensions must be reduced.