The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-03-23
Soldiers Home Notes.

We have. a queer mixture of men in
the home who are more or less inclined
to find fault. Perhaps the fimsiest
growl came from member of the
nickle plate mess. Recently the Sec
retary-Treasurer made his report and
it showed after paying all debts, sal
aries, etc., that a surplus of $2. so per
day was left over for the table. Upon
learning this fact one of the diners
said; "Is that SO? Well, 1 haven't
seen it on the table yet" There are
fitty-one men in the mess, and as 50. so
extra a day would bring the ratio lit
tie over four cents per man, it is not
very likely that many luxuries would
put in an appearance.
On Monday morning last the hearts
of forty Tennesseans were made glad
by securing work on the reservation.
In fact it was red letter day, and with
the two score citizens were added fifty
teams, and directly after the seven
o'clock whistle the dirt began to fly,
and the process of grading was in quick
sway. Providing the weather con-
tinues good the working strength will
be increased and by April 1st upwards
of one hundred teams will be employ
ed, 1t is proposed to push the leveling
to rapid conclusion, and all diligence
will be exercised.
One of the many ways to kill time is
that of skirting through the woods in
search of branches or roots that can be
worked into canes. Among the mem
bers in this branch of industry is W.
d. Ladd, who has charge of the tools
used by those at work on the reserva-
tion. Mr.. Ladd takes great pride in
gathering canes, and what is much to
his credit is the perfect delight he
takes in presenting his trophies to
friends. ae will not take pay and his
generosity is more than appreciated.
He is connosseur in the matter of
walking sticks and growths of all
kinds, and IN consequence his tool
house is we'll stocked with nature S
absurdities, the whole forming a pic
turesque clientele of the oddities of
Tennessee woods.
After all the legislature of Tennessee
is to be congratulated. The members
of that body have done gone and killed
the bill to permit the citizens of John
son City to vote for or against the con-
tinuation of the four mile limit from
the Soldiers. Home resolution to sell
spirituous or other Intoxicating liquors
On the whole the members were wise
in ARRIVING at such conclusion. Their
action will result in prolonging the
lives of many of Uncle Sans wards,
and not only preserve the dear boys in
this respect but add dignity to the
home. If the "wets" were successful
in such war of the ballots and the
| liquor traffic was resumed the william
Gus stuff offered for consumption
would parallel the ravages of death,
that even the thoroughfares of johnson
City would infict upon poor humanity.
1t is q we'll known fact that the citizens
of Johnson City alone would not be
able to support the many taverns that
would spring into existence il the law
was changed, consequently the liquor
men must depend upon the old soldier,
whom they are aware are easy preys tc
the seductions they will use to fleece
money from them. Even this would
not be so bad if good wholesome liquor
was dispensed, but they are so greedy
in order to fill their purses they dis
pense the cheapest rot purchasable.
Every member of the home should be
thankful individually and collectively
to the legislators Of Tennessee for theil
action in thwarting the sale of liquor
in or about Johnson City.
Did you ever stop to think of what {
Jealous set of men the ex-ciYil wal
veterans are? For some unexplainablC
reason the petty jealous nature will as
sert itself and come babbling to the
surface, and then it becomes a game o.
elimination and recrimination unit
one becomes tired and is soon dis
gusted with the whole outfit. Jeal
ousies, however, are chiefly confined
to the extra duty men, especially wher'
the force is small. Quibbling tall
bearers, confidential talks between th
mud throwers who will sit and ven
their spleen and tear those msligneC
into tatters, instead OF being sufficient
ly endeared with manhood to go to th'
party under discussion, and who ha
even unwillingly done them an injur
and allow an explanation that woul
in all probability explain. But not S
with Mr.. Growler, his taste is to'
venemous and slander answers his whil
and SC he is satisfied. Instead of pull
ing together and aiding each other
the limit and thus make their old ag
more bearable, they fortunately-tf
minority, will do their level best to |
ugly, overbearing, sullen and q
! together q nuisance. 1t has occurre
that when the "boss" is given ii
u for the betterment of the work in har
Il by fellow worker. he will decline
u accept the same, and wilfully jump {