Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-24
TOGUS HOME LETTER.
An Enthusiast Doing Great Work for
Aged Soldiers and Wives.
Pleasing Incidents Connected With the
Recent I'd Maine Cavalry Reunion.

ToGUs, Sept. 23.-(Special. II like an
enthusiast. At North Conway / met one,
and woman enthusiast, too. She has an
idea. The iies is practical, and prophesy
that she will not rest until she sees her
scheme fulfilled. Something over one year
ago, Mrs. Ella Jordan Mason of Biddeford
commenced agitating the idea of homes for
aged soldiers of Maine, with their wives.
She has stuck to it, KEEP; at it, and, although
AT times almost diSheartened, has perse-
vered, and now can begin TO see rays of
light. Her plan, in brief, is this, as |
understand it
She would take the aged and inflrm vet
Grams and their wives and give them COM
Portable cottage, where, in quiet serenity,
they can together spend their few
remaining years. She has the locality
selected. She has the central admin
istrstion buildings all ready and
has perfected plan for the development of
what believe will be monument TO the
memory of those who will with her make
the fruition of her hopes possible.
At the reunion of the "a Maine Cavalry
at Gardiner, the 20th, the strength of the
shoulder to shoulder in the days of the
Rebellion have for each other was fully
illustrated Think of man travelling
from San Francisco 10 far of Maine 10
meet the surviving comrades who were
near and dear to him 80 wears ago. Yet
this is what Charles + Wilson, promi-
nent lawyer of San Francisco, did, and he
said he was amply repaid.
1t was quite a notable gathering. II. d.
Moore of Philadelphia, whose business in
terests represent over $4,000, 900; s.
C. Small of Boston, manufacturer of
and dealer in church and lodge room
furniture; Geo. f. Tyler, another prom
nent furniture manufacturer of Cambridge,
Mass. Capt. Moses French, one of Names
most successful farmers, tilling about coo
acres, and others of equal note. And do
YOU know, those men were Just as glad,
apparently, to meet the writer, who is rich
only in memories of the past, as they were
to meet those who are wealthy in this
worlds goods.
There has been quite an exodus from
here the past week, but it is noticeable that
the furloughs, transfers and discharges are
less than usual after the quarterly pensions.
Times are too hard to prevent any alluring
prospect to those who at best can only fill
light positions.
Again it is Sunday. and the summer is
gone. 1t seems only few Sundays ago
that old Mother Earth was donning her suit
of emerald green, and the song of the
81 ring birds, fresh and full of Joy, made
the picture full of harmony. Today the
brightness of spring verdure is gone, the
leaves are either showing all the beauties of
autumnal tnts or are a dead and dusty
brown.
SO it with those who are here. Only
little while ago, q few weeks, months and
years and they were in the hey day of
youth. Life's fairest blossoms were theirs.
The air was full of the pleasant sounds of
the spring time of life. Alas, today, they
are in the scar and yellow leaf. All the
buoyancy and dash of youth is gone, and
they can see just ahead, only hours, days
and perhaps weeks i'll the distance, the once
bouyant form lying forgotten and alone. 1t
is not pleasant to think of, and yet, they
who are here are almost daily reminded of
the ending of all life'S hopes and fears, joys
and sorrows.
The Harpers Ferry Colored Jubilee
Singers gave delightful sacred concert in
Ward Memorial chapel. this evening, and
the large assemblage of citizens and mem
bers of the Home thoroughly enjoyed it.
The first number was the anthem BLESSED
Are the Pure in Heart" by Sudds. 1t was
finely given by the quartet. Second was
The Beautiful Golden Gate" by Excel
This was also fine. The third num-
her, Committed to the Deep" by
Thomas, with Prof. Thompson as bass
sooist, was beautiful. The fourth wgs
an intonation of the Lords Prayer. The
fifth was Bury Me Near the Old
Home" by Thompson, and was full of har-
mony and sweetness.
The lost number "Bye and Bye the
arrangement by Prof. Thompson, was
xtremely touching and beautiful. While
ihese voices may not possess the highest
culture, the rich, sweet tones fully compen-
ate.
Rev. c. S. Cummings preached a short
appropriate, from Psalms x1xUi 3,
his theme being the he Moral Effect of
Music" Though the sermon was short, it
vas thoroughly effective, aud was listened
to with marked attention.
We hope to hear the Jubilee Singers
again. Prof. Tbompson's remarks, ex-
planatory of their mission, were well given
and received close attention.
Prof. Themes concert, this afternoon,
vas listened to By large and appreciative
tudisnce. There was not poor number on
The programme, and it would be hard to
select the most beautiful when all was so