The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-01

dermined the constitutions of every one Of
them.
The buildings are substantial and artistic.
Those erected by the State are constructed
of brick. while the cottages erected by
counties are wooden structures. Situated on
streets OF convenient width. these little
homes nestle Town among the streets and
have much the appearance OF a pretty viii
lage. Some Of them have but two rooms,
and these are eagerly sought. Here the vet
eran and IFS wife may live a quiet. retired
life. except that they must go to the COM
mon dining room for meals. Other cottages
are larger, and several families may be
lodged under the same roof: some Of the
rooms are occupied by unmarried men,
sometimes two or three occupying a single
room, willie the larger ones have several
occupants, each with his separate bed and
belongings. Both men and women are re-
quired TO keep their own rooms in order
when able 10 do so, and IL is surprising how
well the veterans perform this duty. 1t is
said that those who came here from the
national homes excel in the art of bed
making.
FLOWERS AND PLANTS.
In front of each cottage is a plat Of
ground which the inhabitants have trans
formed into a veritable flower garden, and
which gives 10 the place an air or re1ne-
ment and culture. Vines Chamber over the
walls and trellises. Sweet old-fashioned
flowers fill the air with their fragrance and
recall the days of childhood. Bright star
like cypress blossoms peep from among
their lacy foliage; the madeira vine. with
it's glossy leaves and slender, white, spike
like blossoms, runs riot among the flowers
and plants; blue-eyed morning glories meet
the early sunrise. Zinenias, a~sters, geran-
iums, sunfiowers, bachelor buttons, touch
me-nots, marigolds, four o'clOcks, petunias,
verbenas and many varieties of house plants
and ferns create a blaze of color very pleas
ing TO the eye. Scarcely a foot OF ground
but Is under cultivation, and the luxurious
growth gives evidence of the care bestowed
upon them by the veterans and their wives.
The coziness of these little homes is con-
tinued throughout. Indoors the furnishings
are plain and substantial. but the plainness
is in most cases relieved by the taste of the
occupants. Lace or muslin curtains temper
the light, flowers bloom in the windows,
birds sing in the sunlight, rugs soften the
footballs, pictures adorn the walls, books,
photographs and many little dainty belong
ings add TO the comfort and beauty of the
little homes, Other cottages are less orna-
mental, according to the taste Of the occu-
pant. but all are scrupulously clean.
Good afternoon. grandpa was the ma
irons word of greeting as we entered the
Old Mems Home, and on every side were
greeted pleasantly by these old veterans.
The same care was evident here that was
shown in the women's building, although
there was, perhaps. less ornamentation. but
even here an attempt has been made to
beautify their surroundings and produce a
home-like atmosphere. Pictures and photo
graphs ornament the walls, plants grow in
the windows. books and papers are scat
tered here and there. Some Of these old
men are very feeble, some are blind or near
ly SO; some cannot hear. others are par
alyzed. One cheerful old veteran had his
leg amputated by the home surgeon three
weeks before; the work had been done so
skiIlfully that it had given him but little
discomfort.
In the hospital were twenty-one patients
in various stages of illness. Here. as else
where. everything is clean and neat. The
kitchen floors and tables shone with a
cleanliness characteristic of our grand
mothers days. Many conveniences are ar
ranged for the care of the sick. Reclining
4 NAtdllS are pIONlucu v tlS OAN diCCNChNJ
adjustable tables for the blind and those
who must take their meals in bed. Soft
cushions rest the weary bodies. Here, too.
the barber makes his semi-weekly visits.
for whom a suitable chair has been pro-
vided. The hospital is greatly in need of
rugs and druggets, and any charitable or
ganization or kindly disposed individual
may greatly add to the comfort of these
sick soldiers by sending heavy rugs, about
12x14 feet square.
Sweet old faces greeted us as We entered
the Did Ladies Home. All of them? Well,
possibly rot all. That old age which is the
closing of a well-spent life is delightful, but
it is by no means universal. Life's fitful
changes, its responsibilities and its duties,
its trials and hardships often sour a natur-
ally kind disposition, and so We sometimes
find the disagreeable, the Disconnected, the
fault-inding among the aged. Come In
and see my room.'' said a sweet old lady,
as with her knitting in hand she came for
ward TO welcome us. With evident pride
she exhibited her little abode with its pretty
and home-like atmosphere. We
admired ard praised it all and delighted the
heart of the old lady, referring TO the work
she held in her hand. lit is a stocking for
my little grandson she replied, and there
was a world Of tenderness in her voice as
she told us Of his charms.
WOMEN IN THE HOME.
We had an interesting call at the widows
home. Here again the rooms gave evidence
OF the taste of the occupants. Some of the
women were visiting; others were receiving
calls; some were busy at work. and one, we
were informed, is soon to become a bride.
Could anything be more interesting? When
the prospective bridegroom receives the pen
sion he Is daily expecting the marriage will
will HE ava 10 a home of their own in the
world outside. With becoming shyness the
bride-elect gave us a peep into a large box,
or chest, In whose deep recesses were hidden
treasures dear to her heart that were 10
adorn the new home. We afterward saw the
bridegroom-to-be, and were impressed by the
sentiment that, In the line of love and
loving, what's TO be is apt to be-" Mar.
riages OF this sort are not and
the courtshlps and firtations among the
widows and veteran widowers sometimes
cause much annoyance TO the management
There are at present 29 women In the
home. The oldest woman died a few weeks
ago at the age of n~inety-nine years. Tn
oldest now remaining is Grandma Reigel
who claims TO be ninety-six years old. Hei
II