Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-12

dhu theh there the weather. I amt so
strong as was before the war. Iaon,t
stand bad weather. have the pneu-
monia-and that's expensive. There's
a hitch about my pension, you see. 7
used to think it would come round
But We've given up bothering, haven't
we, Maria?
Maria(apathetically) it onlvriles
You up and disappoints you. Nothing
comes of it.
Lady 3 Weren't you honorably dis
charged?
Veteran (proudly)-Madam?
Lady-Well-of course-but 7 moan
Wife-lts something about a sur
geon. He died.
Henry recovering himself and smil-
ing)-So he doesn't find it convenient
to testify. His testimony is lacking.
Lady-Ah! A flaw in your pension
papers?
Veteran-That's about the size of it.
Lady (gently)-Hard.
Veteran-Well, yes. But we're kind
of used to it. 1t is hard, Troublesome
times.
Lady-How many children have you?
Henry (eagerly)-There's Molly!
Mainland the two little ones. We
had two older boys. They died. The
drainage was bad where we lived. We
tried to save on rent those days. We
don t-since.
Lady-Do you make living? Do
you suffer? Have you clothes? A fire?
Food enough? How many battles did
you serve in? Now give me your street
and number. I must look into this
matter. How many battles, did you
say?
Veteran quitting his flute down from
his mouth and counting on the stops
with his cold fngers)-Fair Oaks, NAL
vern Hill, Bull Run, Antietam. 1t was
at Antietam got the shell.
Lady-This is pitiful! 1t is not right.
The country-patriotic people oughr to
do something!
Veteran-Oh, folks are kind enough.
/ get a turkey most every Christmas.
Last year we had cranberry sauce and
fxings.
Lady (sotto voce) - He gives bis
youth, his manhood, his health, his
eyesight for his country, and he gets a
turkey and cranberry sauce on Christ
mas.
Veteran-Ma'am,t there was thirty-five
thousand of us the last time inquired.
I'm only one of the delayed list. Don't
take it to heart so. We're kinder used
to it. Some weeks we get on very
well. 1t depends SO much on the
weather! -
Man from the Crowd-How do you
know that he amt one of the fraudu-
lent claims? There's been a good sight
more than thirty-fve thousand of
them.
Lady, don't know, but don't be-
lieve it; and can look him up.
Gentleman from the Crowd-I'n
spare you the trouble. I know the
man. I'm neighbor of his, in away.
teach in his ward. His children come
to my school. know about the fam
lily. They are honest people. 1t is all
just as he says.
Lady, will see you again. You
shall hear from me. | will remember
and the children! The holidays are
coming along.
MARRIAGES. We do mind it when
we can't make Christmas for the chill
dren. That's the hardest. Now, he
can let that child go on the street with
him. Her little winter sacks worn to
rags; it's past mcnding, and I've cut
over all the flannels I've got. It's no
place for Molly, anyhow, but i amt
very strong. Madam-(she whispered).
Lady-Oh! (Shc wrings the woman's
hand)
Henry mechanically counting on the
stops of the flute)-Fair Oaks, Malvern
Hill, Bull Run. Antietam-
Lady extending her hand, for which
the street player gropes)-So, good-by,
now. I shan't forget you. Your coun-
try hasn't forgotten you, either.
don't believe it,
Veteran Smiling slightly - Don't
you, rna'am?
Lady-Well, I don't blame you for
looking that way!
Maria-Ma'am, he sings, too. You
ought to hear him sing before you go
My husband is born musician. He
gives his moneys worth. You ought
to know about that.
Henry (flattcred)-Now, madam! My
wife is SO foolish about me. Women
are, you know. plays and sings:
My country, it's OF thee.
Sweet land OF libertyi
OF thee I sing.
Lady, with emotion, turns away
from the singer and disappears in the
crowd.
TIME-December a year later.
ScENE-The same street, the same
shop. The show window is superbly
decorated. It's side and top are hung
with dainty little articles of infants
and children's wear. all of white. ex
quisitely trimmed with costly lace.
Holiday gifts for very young children
are scattered among the baby clothes.
The rear and floor of the window are
given up to solemn spectacular eff
feet. There is a grotto; and a Manager
rudely carved in rock. Oxen are chew
ing their hay on one side. On the other
kneel the three Magi in gorgeous tur-