New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23

| ,o,h.r she reioiced In the sacrifice 1t had
| hoer her one consolation in her bereavement
| that Nathan had at last clothed his name with
! glory and shown himself to be worthy citizen
Of Canaan.
| No one dsabuscd her mind Of this belief IN her
soldiers bravery by intimating that her Natnah
was generally in the rear guard. On the con-
| trary they endeavored to foster her loyalty py
every means possible Corporal Brent went over
the old battle scenes again and again. ana MISS
Penelopes eyes would flash and turn toward the
sabre on the wall. while. In Imagination she 81"
her hero stormlrg the barricade. climbing the
ramparts and facing the fire OK the enemy.
She's the one that oughter gone ter the war
an left Nathan home ter wash the dishes'
Corporal Brent would say. with stamp OF his
wooden leg. "She got precious little Satisfaction
out Of him when he wuz ALIVE: I'm goin' 10 give
her all kin now he's gone
| He was the first to como around and DID her
| godspeed on her journey.
EFF YOU haven't get claim agin the Govern
ment no one has, Wilder Briggs ia hev seen
| tibet YOU 20. yer Just dues long afore this, only
| knew your sentiments on the subject. I'm glad
you're takin' a diffrunt view Nv the matter.
am So"
| 1t was the same with all the neighbors, old ana
young They took such en- interest In her under
taking and seemed to look upon 1t with such pro-
nGunced approval that Miss Penelope had not
! the courage TO intimate that her views had not
undergone any remarkable change but that she
! was being propelled to Washington by the lnde-
fatigable will power Of Elvira 81 ackett. 1t was
only when she was seated in the train in neatly
| mended apparel surrounded by various bundles
| and packages-the donation OF appreciative
friends-that she realized she was now deprived
1 to-,
own resources.
Nigh onter seventy-two an startin' fur the
| Capitn: Whatever would Nathan say?" the dear
old lady kept repeating to herself as she counted
| her handles over and over. sitting bolt upright,
| the prey to many fears and misgiVings.
These were somewhat dispeled when she
reached the city and saw the genial face OF the
| landady nodding up at the car window.
THERE / knew you the first minute I set
eyes on you" she said, taking the little old lady
in her arms with true Southern spontaneity,
| "July-Ann described you all right. Pretty neaf
| tired to DEATH I suppose? Let me take the
| bundles; We'll get home as soon as we can ana
| then you shall have good. long rest!'
IT'S quite a journey to take at your age, now
| isn't it?" she continued. when they were seated
at last in the carriage. But then it's worth the
| trouble If you get your pension and have no
| doubt that you will"
Every one she met seemed to be under the
same impression. All the boarders concluded
| at once that the dear desire of her heart was 20
| secure this monthly stipend Some even took
! ii for granted that she had been fighting for II
for the last twenty years, with the result or
| having it continually disallowed.
81 don't see how they could have kept you out
| OF It so long auntie" observed giddy youth as
| he viewed the gentle, faded face through his
| nonocle.
| Il wish that could draw q sum like that
| without earning it," said her rext neighbor, a
| department clerk. i have TO WORK haro ehousn
| for my pttance."
Miss Penelope turned and looked at him re-
| fectively Then her mind flew back to the sabre
| on the wall. and she smiled. 1t was a peaceful
smile, and it straightway opened every heart 10
| her entrance
I Before the week was past she had recounted
all Nathans battles; offered to work tiger
| lily rug for the pretty young lady VINO was
| going 10 be married in the spring, and started
a chest protector for the young man opposite
| who was in consumption
| Within the month she had taken tn, tour of
| the public buildings; had gaZed awestruck on
| the wonders of the Capitol and Washington
| Monument, and, grandest treat OF all, had seen
| the Soldiers Home with its corps Of feeble
veterans, and Arlington with Its seventeen thou-
| sand headstones and its monument to the I'M
| known dead Miss Penelope said nothing as
she strollcd slowly along the ranks of Div
ouacked dead" but her face wore look OF ex-
altation wien she left the sacred spot.
Her application had bee sent in. but had not
| yet been acted upon. At last the department
| clerk OfrereQ TO get his CONGRESSMAN W
Cede for her.
"That'll harry It along" he said encouragingly.
| There's so much red tape about such matters;
| they only need little pushing
Miss Penelope thanked him. but showed no en-
| thusiasm mis- proffer of assistance. In fact
! SIZE suddenly became quite serious at the pros
| pect OF success.
CLYDE Whiting attributed it to uneasiness as to
| the outcome, and thought he was comforting
great kindness on the old lady, when he inter-
| ested Congressman Lane in her behalf and took
| hi,,,6 DOWN m he ci M
DRY Of the dilatory clerks
Claim 9,764-Certainly, sir" and the obse-
quious employe began to examine the files dill
gently. "Un, Are you quite sure about the
name? There must be some mistake"
mo. 9164-Mr Nathan r. Briggs" broke In
| young Whiting impatiently.
| Yes well. you see, his widow has been draw
ing his pension for the last twenty years. That Is
the reason the claim was not acted upon, i sup
| present claimants given name?'
Penelope" Clyde answered. In a crestfallen
tone. II heard Mrs Allen call her Penelope"
The clerk snapped back the files nonchalantly.
| II remember the other case, had not heard
| from her husband for years supposed he was
| dead: then she got a trace of HIM through the
war records, put in her claim. giving satisfactory
| evidence, and it was allowed. 1t isn't anything
new We have such cases every now and then.
| They always get found out when the pension Is
| due"
what shall 1 tell herr" faltered Clyde. when
| Miss Penelopes claim was finally set aside, and
he and the Congressman started to retrace their
| steps From something Mrs. Allen dropped one
| day I judged the husband wasn't all the old
| lady cracked him UP to be; but never thought
| 1t would be as bad as this I can't do 1.-THE
| shock would kill her Won't you help me out a
| little" and he turned to the Congressman plead
| ngly 1T would not be so bad coming from a
stranger II you only had heard her talking
about him and seen her face! Why should as
soon take Nathan's sword and stab her to her
| heart"
The Hon. Mr.. Lane smiled ndulgently. The
boy was young When he had seen as much OF
| the bitter side Of life as himself, he would 10,
| come hardened
"Well, send her around to me at 2:30. OF
| course If the man was such a scoundrel, the
| sooner she knows II the better"
| The Hon. Theophus Lane thought he had
| steeled himself against possible scenes, but
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