New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-08
SOCKS FOR COL. ROOSEVELT.
"BOB's" MOTHER COMES FROM CON-
NECTICUT WITH THE PRESENT
THEY WERE LARGE AND GAUDY. BUT NOME
TOO GOOD FOR THE HERO OF SANTIAGO.

THEY WERE LARGE AND GAUDY. BUT NONE
TOO GOOD FOR THE HERO OF SANTIAGO.
THE GENEROUS DONOR CONCLUDED
"a few days ago" said Mrs Olivia A. Grafstrom.
n who has had experience in the MILL
tary camp hospitals II came in contact with rather
a unique character. II was a type that Is rarely
seen on the streets OF New-York nowadays.
while ! waiting for the car at Thirty
fourth-st and Lexngton-ave. that would take me
down to tho Long Island ferry. I noticed In the
crowd old woman, carrying big market-oasKer
She was about sixty years old and from her dress
and II not difficult to see that she was
from the country and a stranger in the city. when
the car came along and the conductor called OUT
Step lively therer she became somewhat bewild-
cred in her efforts TO get herself and the basket
safely on board. Nobody offering to assist her,
volunteered my help and the grateful old lady
secured place next to me IN the car. she was
dressed in black gown plainly made ana oiu-
fashioned a peculiar-shapcd bonnet shaded her
sunburned wrinkled face. and with pair OF hon
est blue eyes she looked scrutnizingly at me-
Carefully taking off her cotton gloves she conhded
TO that she going out TO Camp Wikon
You see' she explained It is just this way
live In South Wilton. Conn. where l have little
farm. My husband in the last war, and he lost
his leg Gettysburg When he died he left me ana
the two young ones Bob" and Charlie" with the
farm greatly mortgaged First II was hard FOR me
to get along, but Bob grew UP he became n
great help He was always fond OF horses. ana
! finally he went Yves, to work A ranch. He used
to send regularly half of his months pay and
by raising chickens and eggs. which sell down In
Norwalk and South Norwalk. | getting
along nicely. Charlie" the youngest boy, Is n
cripple and he helps on the farm as much as
| he can He IN nice boy. but not strong. Ike
Bob" When this war with Spain broke out, Bob
| gave UP his Job and enlisted. You see, | have a
small pension from the Government. and on that
| account. Bob wrote me he thought IT was his
duty go along with the rest OF the boys. He was
sent down to Cuba. hut came out all right.
| "'When he was mustered out he came home for
a short visit before going back to NewMexico, and
he told all about the fight and how the poor
soldiers suffered down in Cuba and at Camp
Wikof. l happy that he came home alive
| that made up my mind 10 do something for me
boys who had no mothers fI or mas nce Chickens
down to them. but Bob and Charlie only
but here. | will show you what I have made.
and she opened the big basket. and there were sew
" Don't you think they will come in handy for
the boys now as the cold weather is setting IN
| AT my declaration that they were the very
things for the soldiers. she frightened up and
'Oh. but those are beautiful exclaimed pick.
ing UP pair of tremendous size and In bright
'U'' They are for Hcb i colonel have forgot
ten his name. but Bob" said he was the best EEL
Was your Bob a Rough RIDER asked
Sure he That's the name OF his reg,-
! ment" ~.
| Then I told the old lady that the name OF
| Rob's' colonel Roosevelt and that perhaps
he was apt 10 be the next Governor or New loih
State. r,,,, -
he IS the best In the Army. so am sure ne is
When put the old lady on the train for lamp
! to look after her Next summer ] intend to visit
/ Charlie the chickens and herself and VINO
/ knows but that may see Bob, too. II do shall
certainly ask him what he told his mother to give
| her the idea that Coone! Roosevelts feet covered
! such a LOT of ground