The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1904-11-10
Soldiers Home Notes
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EDITOR COMET /:

hluuly hllOW WOFu from an 'Olu
One" in reoiprocation of the excellent
treatment all receive at the National
Home located in your near vicinity.
We consider ourselves blessed beyond
measure to be installed in home that
is a veritable haven OF rest and plenti-
tude in all the terms imply. What
other country is half so kind to its de-
tenders? Three meals excellently
cooked aud served each day, a COM
Portable room in which to live, with
easy stairwayS to ascend for those who
are halt, a neat and clean bed with two
linen sheets that are changed each
week, heavy wooden blankets to keep
the old "buck" warm, and these re-
minders OF our former homes, together
with many little odds and ends that 90
to make one feel as though he was ac-
tually enjoying the long ago's privilege
of prosperity. And yet with all this
We have the usual number of GROWERS
and chronic fault finders who are never
satisfied, and use their hyperbole to
defame their surroundings.
During the sauntering of the men
about the reservation, looking at the
improvements constantly going on,
Governor Smith is frequently met, and
all upon the approach, like true sold
iers, raise the right hand in military
salute, in token of their respect. The
sautation is reciprocated in kind, and
in this way together with other pleas
ant recognitions, of which is nature is
charmingly inbued, he has endeared
himself to all those under his care.
Col. Smith frequently visits the mess
hall at meal time, and has proven him.
self to be keen scrutinizer of affairs.
He abhors wastefulness and does not
hesitate to call the sergeants attention
to such conduct ON the part of a mem
ber. He believes in every man having
full and plenty, and this attribute adj
ditionally commends him to the good
opinion of the members.
As winter approaches the Home con-
tinues to secure new recruits almost
daily. These in the main come from
other homes, the members preferring
to escape the rigors of northern or
western winter, and it is chiefly owing
to this cause that the Mountain Branch
has had such an influx of late. In adj
dtion to this cause, however, it ad-
ditionally tends to show that the
, Homes for disabled volunteer soldiers,
SO generously created by the govern
ment. are just beginning to show their
real usefulness.
Great expectations centers among the
men as pension day draws near as tC
what disposition to make of themselves,
A large delegation will go out on fur.
! lough, while small contingent hopes
, to transfer to other Homes. A goodly
squad will visit the near by cities il
which they will relieve the monotony
for few days, but the majority of The
) soberside element will remain in camp
One feature of the Home, aud o
! which we are very proud, is the fac
y that as whole the Mountain Brancl
> has the handsomest clientele for al
' equal number of any other similar es
tablishment. Such remarks as th,
above are iudulged In by members Wit
have resided in other Homes, and o
: course, coming from such reliable all
thority the statement must be true.
Col. Mills, OF the regular army, ar
{ rived at the Home on Sunday, the 6tl
4 inst on tour of inspection, in accord
ance with an act of congress, that com
pels regular army officer to inspec
q all branches of the National Home one
+. o year, and submit his report through
the secretary of war to congaess.
= Time hangs heavy over those VIII
II are. not employed. The stronger Q
e the idle ones kill the hours strollinI
q about the grounds, visiting the noun
0 tains to gather chestnuts and persim
9 mons, while the older set sleep the tim
o away between meals.
While the "old boys" are full G
u Thanksgiving day expectancies, wit
its stare of good things that are Away
provided by generous Uncle Sam, the
: also have in mind Christmas and il
. festivities. While the celebration is a
= "old as the hills" yet there is no lac
of spontaneity in the spirit with whic
. it is again preparing for another JOY
10 ous keeping of the feast. No other ha
y been honored by SO faithful an obser'
y ance, none is SO dear to men today
The day has zest, picturesquenesl
J. charm that especially in our boyhoo
u career will continue in memory as Ion
p as we live. B.
DIR. Fahrney's Teething Syrup is oil
&c lutely harmless and is the medicin