Evening journal., 1911-06-21
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Mother Of 81
By ~HOIland."
By @Holland."

The late General Francis Amasa
Walker. who died in 1897. when presi-
dent of the Massachusetts, Institute of
Technology was in his life time, re-
garded as perhaps the greatest writer
upon economic topics the United States
has ever produced II is sometimes
said Of General Walker that the pre-
vailing interest in economic questions
which is now so characteristic Of the
people Of the United States was In
great measure due to his work Gen.
eral Walker. too. organized the cen
sus bureau in 1870 and again in 1880
as superintendent Of the census, bring
ing the work of the census bureau up
10 its present very high standard and
its far reaching statistical authority.
During the civil war he gained a good
deal of renown as a soldier. He enlist
ed when he was not long out of Am
herst College, In Massachusetts regi-
ment. and came out of the struggle a
brevet brigadier-general.
General Walkers pre-eminent ability
as an economist he undoubtedly in
herited from his father, Amasa Walk
or. who was regarded as one Of the
highest authorities of his time upon
financial questions and whose polti-
cal economy, published after the close
Of the civil war, was very widely used
as q text book. But General Walkers
intense patriotism, his disposition TO
serve his country I'm any way in which
he might be called upon to serve II.
even though the emoluments were less
than he could receive as a writer and
teacher. and a certain rigid discipli-
nary capacity which he possessed
which was not inconsistent with great
kindness Of heart. he inherited from
his mother.
Frank" the mother said. when
she was told that he had responded TO
Lincoln's call for volunteers II don't
care whether you are a private or
whether you become a captain. I am
very proud that have son who has
become q soldier and who is going TO
fight in defense of the Union"
At the battle of Spotsylvania Court
House General Walker was especially
conspicuous for his courage and for
the readiness with which he met dan
gercus emergencies. as we'll as for the
perfect discipline of the soldiers who
We're under him He was severely
wounded in that battle and when his
mother was told of the wounds she
simply said We'll. he got them when
his face was toward the enemy-I
know that"
When convalescing from his wounds
General Walker obtained a furlough
and set out 10 visit his parents at their
home at East Brook6eld, Mass His
mother saw him coming up the walk
and met him al the door There was
kindly expression i'm her countenace.
and al the same time anxiety. General
Walkers first thought was that this
anxiety was due to her fear lest his
wounds should prove very dangerous.
What was his surprise. therefore. to
hear his mother ask before she gave
him any other words of greeting
What! Frank. have you come
home?"
Yes, mother. have come home for
little while"
For a little while? Then you are
going back again?"
Yes, mother. as soon as 7 am able
to reioin the regiment"
"Oh. Frank" cried the mother. Joy
ously. ~ am so glad TO hear you say
thatl 7 was afraid YOU had resigned. I
want you to stay until the war is end
ed. j."
And she nursed him carefully and
tenderly, brought him hack to health,
talked TO him by the hour about tho
patriotic duties of a soldier. and saw
him return to his regiment, giving him
first her blessing.
Copyright, 1871. by r. J. Edwards. All
rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell. -
Story Of the First Days of Civil Ser
vice.