The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-15


Z little old lady in her arms with true
southern spontaneity: July Ann de-
seribed you all right. Pretty near tired
70 death, I suppose. Let me take the
bundles; well get home as soon as we
can and then you shall have a good
long restr'
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 I have no doubt
that you will.
Everyone she met seemed to be under
the same impression. All the boarders
concluded at once that the dear desire
OF her heart was to secure this monthly
stipend, Some even took It for granted
that she had been fighting for it for
tne last twenty years, with the result OF
having It continually disall0wed.
Il don't see how they could have
kept you out OF 1t so long. auntie." OBJ
served a giddy youth as he viewed the
gentle, faded face through his mon
ocle.
wish that | could draw sum like
that without earning it, said her next
nelghbor, a department clerk. Il have
to work hare enough for my pittance." /"
Miss Penelope turned and looked At
him rehectiyely. Then her mind few
back to the 'saber on the wall, and she
smiled. It was peaceful smile, and it
straightWay opened every heart to her
entrance.
Before the week was past she had
recounted all Nathan's battles; offered
to work tiger lily" rug for the pretty
yh'ng lady who was going to be mar
ried in the spring and started a chest
protector for the young man opposite.
who was in consumption.
Within the month she had taken the
tour OF the public buildings: had gazed
awestruck on the wonders of the capi-
tol and Washington monument, and.
grandest treat Of all, had seen the SOL
diers' home, with its corps Of feeble |
veterans, and Arlington, with its 1900
headstones and its monument to the /
unknown dead Miss Penelope said
nothing as she strolled slowly along
the ranks Of "bivouacked dead" but
her face wore a look Of exaltaton
when she left the sacred spot.
Her application had been sent in. but
had not yet been acted upon At last
the department clerk offered to get his
congressman to intercede for her.
"I'hat'll hurry 1t along" he said en-
couragngly. There's so much red
tape about such matters: they only
need little pushing"
Miss Penelope thanked him. but
showed no enthusiasm over his proffer
of assistance. In fact, she suddenly
became quite serious at the prospect OF
success.
Clyde Whiting attributed II to un-
easiness as to the outcome. and thought
he was conferring a great kindness on
the old lady when he interested Con-
gresham Lane in her behalf and took
him down to the pension Office to jog
the memory Of the dilatory clerks.
Claim No. certainly, sir"
and the obseQulous employe began to
examine the files diligently. "Uml Are
you quite sure about the name? There
must be some mistake"
mo. 9.764-Nathan II. Briggs" broke
in young Whiting impatiently.
Yes; we'll, You see. his widow has
been drawing his pension for the last
twenty years. That is the reason the
claim was not acted upon I suppose.
Matilda, widow of Nathan r. What is
he present claimants given name?'
Penelope" Clyde answered, in
crestfailen tone. 81 heard Mrs. Allen
call her Penelope"
The clerk snapped back the files non
Il remember the other case, had not
heard from her husband for years, sup
posed 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. It isn't anything
new. We have such cases every now
and then They always get found out
when the pension is due"
What shall tell herr" faltered
Clyde, when Miss Penelope's claim was
finally set aside. and he and the con-
gresham started to retrace their steps.
From something Mrs. Allen dropped
one day judged the husband wasn't
an the old lady cracked him up to be.
bat l never thought it would be as bad
rs this. / can't do 1.-THE shock would
sim her. Won't you help me out a
little" and he turned TO the congress-
nan pleadingly IT would not be 50
bad coming from stranger. II you {
lnly had heard her talking about him
and seen her face. why / should as {
soon take Nathan's sword and stab her
% her heart"
The Honorable Mr.. Lane smiled in
lulgently. The boy was young. When (
he had seen as much OF the bitter side /
)f life as himself he would become Z
hardened.
well, seud her around to me at 2.3O. I
Of course, if the man was such a scoun- ]