Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, May 13, 1894, Page 19

e AT { A ; 3 ) , THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY, MAY 13, 1 894-~TWENTY PAGES. 80 you know about them? Just tell yourselt | that you know nothing at all, and that the impossible, according to our ideas, is being | accomplishied al about us, at every instant. | Well, we have talked a long time, it will woon be 11 o'clock, and you must soon go back to the grotto. But I shall expect you at half past 3 and take you to the medical bureau of certifications, where [ hope to show you some things that will surprise you. Do not forget, at half past 3 After sending Plerre away he remained alone on the bench. The heat was increas ing, the distant hills looking burning hot in the brilliant furnace heat of the sun. And he mused awhile, dream in the subdued light of the shadows, listening to the con- tinmous murmur of the Gave, that sounded a beloved volce hurried away to difficulty, like a voice from far awa: speaking to him. Plerre rejoin Marie. He did &0 without the crowd was thinning out, for many had already gone off to breakfast. Near the | young girl, sitting quietly, he saw the father, M. de Guersaint, who commenced at oneco | to explain his long absence. For more than two hours that morning he had flown all over Lourdes in every sense, had | knocked at the doors of twenty hotels with- out finding either board or lodging; all the good rooms were rented, and one could not even find a mattress on which to sleep in a | hallway. Just as he was giving up he sud- denly happened to find two rooms, small and under the roof, to be sure, but at a good hotel, the Hotel of the Apparitions, one of the best In the town. The people who had engaged tl d Just telographed that thelr Invalld was dead. It was indeed great luck, and he seomed in great spirits. Eleven o'clock struck and the lamentabls | procession reformed to walk back through | the sunny squares and streets, and when | they reached the Hospital of Our Lady of Borrows Marle begged them to go and break- fast quictly at the hotel, then to rest a while, and only to come o'clock, fust before it wa invalids back to the grotto. But, after break- fasting at the Hotel of the Apparitions, the two then went up stairs to their rooms, and | M. de Guersaint, overcome by fatigue, had | gone to sleep so soundly that Pierre had not | the heart to wake hi To what end? His | presence was not indispensable. So he re turned to the hospital alone, and the proc slon started again through the avenue of the grotto, filed down the place of Merlasse, crossed the square of the Rosary, in the midst of the growing crowd that shuddered and crossed themselves in the enjoyment of the perfect August day. It was the culmi- nating hour of a splendid day. When once more placed in grotto Marle asked: “Is my father coming?" “‘Yes, he 1s resting for a whila. She motioned that she was glad, and then sald in a volce full of trouble: *Listen, Pierre, do not come for another hour to take me to the pool, I am not yet in a state of grace, I want to pray, to pray longer. After trying so greatly to get there, now that she was about to experiment with the miracle she felt terrified, and as she was telling that she had eaten nothing a young girl came up. ““Dear Madamolselle, if you are fecling so badly you know we have soup here for you.” She recognized Raymonde. Young girls were thus occupled at the grotto, distributing soup and milk to the invalids. In fact, dur- ing the preceding years so many had in- dulged in such foolish coquetries by way cf smart aprons trimmed with lace that a mod- est kind of uniform apron of blue and white check had been substituted by the authori- tles. And notwithstanding this Raymonde had contrived to look vefy charming in its simplicity, with her fresh skin and busy air of a good housekeeper. “Is it not s0?" she repeated. ‘“Just nod your head and I will fetch you some.” Marie thanked her, said she really did not want anything; and turning to the priest: “An hour, another hour, my friend.” Even then Pierre wanted to stay with her. But the whole place was reserved for the inva- lids, and not even the litter bearers were allowed to stop. Carried along by the moy- fug crowd, he found he was going In the direction of the pool, where he met with such an extraordinary sight that.he stayed. In front of the three eddics where the baths were, in rows of three, six for women and three for men, there was a large space under the trees, hemmed in by a thick rope ted from tree to tree, The invaiids, either in their carrlages or on the mattresses of their litters, formed in a file, took their turn, while on the outside of the rope stood the crowd, Intensely excited. At this moment a Capuchin, standing up in the middle of the open space, was conducting the prayers. Ave followed ave, repeated by the masses in a great confused murmur, when Mme. Vetu, ‘who had been walting for a long time, pale Wwith anguish, finally entered, carrying her precious burden, her darling little irl that looked like a waxen image of Josus. ‘The Capuchin fell on his knees, with arms crossed, crying: ‘“Lord, heal our siok!" This he repeated ten times, twenty times, each with growing energy, and ecach time the crowd, too, repeated it, screaming louder at every supplication, sobbing and kissing the ground. It was iike a mad whirlwind, throwing down all heads into the dust. Plerre stood overcome by this sob of suffer- ing that seemed to come from the very bowels of the populace; at first a prayer, rising higher and higher, that became an exaction, uttered in a clamorous and angry voice, deeafening and threatening to do violence to heaven: ‘“Lord, heal our sick; Lord, heal our sick!” And the cry went on without ceasing. An incident occurred. La Grivotte was crying piteously because they would not bathe her. ““They only say so because I am consump- tive, and they cannot plunge consumptives into cold water. But I saw them do it to one this morning, why not do it to me? I am killing myself by swearing to them for the last half hour that they are oftend- ing the Holy Virgin. I am going to be cured, I feel It, I am going to be cured.” Fearing lest she might create a scandal, one of the almoners of the pool approached her and tried to calm ber. They would see about it presently, they would ask the opinion of the reverend fathers. Perhaps, if she was very well behaved, they might back for Ler at 2 time to take the front of the bathe her. Still the cry kept up: “Lord, heal our sick; Lord, heal our sicl Pierre, who had just noticed Mme. Vetu, who was likewise waiting at the entrance to the pool, could not take his eyes oft that face 80 tortured by hope, with its eyes fixed on the door from which the happy ones, the elect, came out cured. But a fresh frenzy, a rage of supplication, again attracted him, affecting him even to tears. It was Mme Vincent, who reappeared with her daughter atill in her arms, that miserable yet adored daughter, who had just been plunged faint- ing into the ley water, and whose poor lit- tle face, half dried, was still as pale as ever, with closed eyes, sadder and more deathlike than before. Her mother, over- come by her long agony, in despair over the refusal of the Holy Virgin, insensible even to the condition of her child, was sob- blog bitterly. Yet when Mme. Vetu in her turn went in with the strength of a dylng person who expects to drink new lite, the cry rang out once more, without dis® couragement or lassitude: “Lord, heal our sick; Lord, heal our sick!” The Capuchin once more fell on the ground, crossing his arms, howling and biting the ground as he Kissed it. Pierte tried to join Mme Vincent to say an encouraging word to her, but a fresh wave of pilgrims prevented him from pass- ing and carried him forward toward the fountain, beseiged by still another rabble. This was a low construction—a long stone wall, with a smooth coping—and notwith- standing there were twelve faucets that flowed into the narrow basin, a long stream of people stood waiting in line. Many came to fill their bottles, tn cans and porcelain jugs. In order not to lose any water each faucet ran only when a button pressed Women with their weak hands helped them- selves, wetting their feet. Those who had no Jugs to All came at least to drink or wash their faces. Plerre noticed oue young man who drank seven glasses and washed his face seven times without drying the latter. Others drank out of shells, pewter mugs or leather cups. And he was most particularly juterested in watching Elise Rouquet, who, thinking it useless to go to the pool to benefit the frightful sore on her face, ha continued ever since the worning to bathe it In the fountain every two hours. She knelt down, threw aside the scarf and ap- plied oo the sore o handkerchier foided engthwise that she soaked like a sponge in the miraculous water, while all about her the orowd surged In such excitement that people no longer saw her fearful looking face, but used and even drank from the same stream at which she was constantly wotting her handk ' Just at that mewent Gerard, who was pass- ng, drawing M. Sabath or to the pool, seeing that Plerre was ldle, called to him He saked him to come alcng aud give & help- ing hand, for the paralyzed man was not easy to move or get Into the water. It was thus that Plerre remained for nearly half an hour at the men's pool, waiting with the invalld. while Gerard returned to the grotto to fetch others. The pools seemed very well planned. They consisted of three divisions, each one a bath, that was en- tered by steps and separated by walls, the entrance to each one being hung by a cot- ton curtain, that could be drawn to hide tho Invalid In front was a general sitting room ved with stone, furni only by a ch and two chalrs, that served as a waiting place. The invalids were undressed there, and dressed again quickly with awk- ward haste, a kind of false modesty, A man was there, still naked, who, half hid den by e curtain, was trying to readjust a bandage with trem- blin gers. Another, a consump- tive, frightfully thin, was shaking liks a rattle, his livid skin stained with purple stripes. Plerre was particularly interested in Brother Isidore, whom they were taking out of one of the baths. He had fainted, and for a moment they thought he was dead, but he commenced to utter a cry; and it was a fearful sight, his great body With by suffering, like a human sacrifice thrown on a butcher's stall, his hip perforated by a running sore. The two hospital assistants that had just bathed him had the greatest difficulty to get on his shirt, for they feared to have him die should they shake him. “Pleasn Abbe, you will help us, will you not?" asked the one that was undressing M. Sabathier. Pierre at once acquiesced, and recognized as he looked at the man who was performing these humble offices, the marquis of Salmon- Roquebert, whom M. de Guersaint had pointed out to him at the station. He was a man of about 40, with a large ,pointed nose, set In a long face; the last representa- tive ‘of one of the oldest and most distin- guished families of France, he had quite a fortune, a royal hotel in Paris, Rue de Lille, and an fmmense country seat in Normandy During the three days of the national pil- grimaga he came every year to Lourdes sim- ply for charit ake, without any religious motive, for he was nothing more than a good fellow. He was determined to be noth- ing more than an ordinary assistant, that year bathing the invalids, his arms break- ing from fatigue, his hands full from morn- Ing till night taking off their rags, adjusting and changing bandages. ‘““Take care,” he said; “remove his stockings without hurry- ing—a moment ago when they were gressin that poor man yonder the skin came away.” As he left M. Sabathier for a while to go and put on the wretched man's boots, he felt that the left shoe was wet in his hands. Ha looked—some matter had run down filling the end of the shoe, and he had to empty it out before replacing it on the invalld's foot, which he did with infinite precautions, so as 10t to touch the log, which was eaten’ by an ulcar. “Now,"” sald he to Pierre, coming back to M. Sabathier, “‘pull the drawers off with me, so that we only make one attempt ' In the little room there were only the in- valid and the assistants who had charge of the pools. An almoner who was also there repeated aves and paters, for the prayers were not allowed to stop for an instant. Nothing but a simple curtain served by way of a door, and shut off the large open space that was kept clear by the ropes; so the ar- dent supplications of the crowd were heard in a continual clamor, whilst the shrill voice of the Capuchin still heard repeating s without stopping: ‘‘Lord, heal our sick— Lord, heal our sick.” A pale light fell from high windows, while there avose a faint odor as from wet celars and constant dampness. M. Sabathier was naked at last, and for decency they tied over his stomach a narrow apron. “I beg you,” he said, “to let me down into the water little by little.” The cold water terrified him. He related that the first time he had experienced such a fearful shock that he had vowed never to come again. To hear him there was no greater torture. Then, too, as he sald, the water was not inviting; for lest the supply from the spring should be insuficient, the fathers of the grotto only changed the water in the baths twice a day, and as nearly 100 invalids went Into the same water, it can be imagined what an awful Kettle of fish was the result. All kinds of things were to be found, bloody strings, pieces of skin, scabs, bits of lint and bandages, a hideous collection of all ills, of all kinds of sores, of every disease. It was a regular nursery for polsonous germs, an essence of the most horrible contagion, and it was a miracle that any one came out from the human mud alive. “Carefully, carefully,” repeated M. Saba- thier to Plerre and the marquis, who had taken him underneath his thighs to carry him to the bath. He looked at the water with the fear of a child—that thick and livid looking water where. floated glistening scales or clouded scraps of flesh. On the edge to the left there was a red clot, as though an abscess had burst just there. Bits of rag, as well as of flesh, were swimming about, and still his dread of cold water was so great that he preferred the dirty afternoon baths, be- cause after so many bodies had been soaked in them the water became somewhat warm. ““We will let you slide down on the steps,” explained the marquis in a low tone. Then he advised Pierre to hold him up well by the arm pits. “Do not be afrald,” said the priest, “I will not let go." Slowly M. Sabathier went down. Nothing could now be seen save his back—a poor, painful back—that swelled, -balanced and shivered in a chill. When they did plunge him in his head fell back in a spasm and a noise was heard like a breaking bone, whila he choked with all breath gone. Instantly the almoner standing in front of the bath cried out with a fresh fervor: “Lord, heal our sick; Lord, heal our sick! At each immersion M. de Salmon-Roquebert repeated the cry, which was the rule for the assistants to do. Plerre also was obliged to utter it, and his pity was so moved at the sight of so much suffering that he experi- enced a kind of faint. He had not prayed thus for so long, and he thought there must be a God in tho heavens whose omnipotence was able to comfort such miserable human- ity. After three or four minutes they took M. Sabathier out of the bath, livid and fFem- bling, Pierre felt a deeper and more hopeless sensation, to see him so wretched, almost overcome and unable to afford any relief. Another useless trial. For the seventh time the Holy Virgin had not deigned to listen. He shut his eyes, while two great tears rolled from his closed eyelids while they dressed him. Presently Pierre recognized lit- tle Gustave Vigneron, who entered with his crutch to take his first bath. At the door the family were knoeling—the father, mother and the aunt, Mme. Chaise, were all there, substantial and of an examplary plety. It was whispered among the crowd that this was a superior employe of the minister of finances. Just as the chlld was beginning to undress there was a commotion, and Father Fourcade and Father Massias arrived suddenly and gave the order to stop all im- mersions. They were about to try the great miracle, the extraordinary miracle so ar- dently solicited since morning—ihe resurrec- tion of the man. Outside the prayers continued—a wild cry of volces that was lost in the sky above in the hot summer afternoon. They brought in a covered litter, that was deposited in the middle of the room. Baron Suire, president of the Hospitalite, followed it, as did also Berthaud, one of the heads of departments, for the trial affected the entire society, and several words were exchanged in an under- tone between these gentlemen and the two fathers of the Assumption. Then these latter fell on their knees, with crossed arms, pray- ing, their faces lighted up, transfigured by their burning desire to manifest the omnipo- tence of God. “Sayior, hear us! Savior, grant our prayer!” = They bad carried M. Sabathier out, and of tho invalids only Gustave re- mained, halt undressed, forgotten in a chair. The curtalns of the litter were drawn und the corpse of the man was seen, already stift, reduced and shrunken, with great eyes that remained obstinately open. But they had to undress him, for he was entirely clothed, and the assistants hesitated at this terrible duty. Pierre noticed that the Marquis de Salmon-Roquebert, so devoted to the living, had turned aside, and knelt down beside him, as if he did not want to touch the body. So he imitated the marquis, and Qid likewlise, to have some one to keep him in_countenance. By degrees Father Massias became exalted and his loud volee drowned that of his su- perior, Father Fourcac ““Lord, give us bac do this for thy glory One of the assistants had decided to pull off the man's trousers, but the legs would not yield, and it would have been necessary to lift up the body; so the other assistant, who was unfasteniug the old top coat, sald our brother! Savior In a low volca that it would be quicker to cut everything off with the scissors, other wise they would never get to the end. Berthaud rushed forward. In a few words he had consulted with Baron Suire. In his | heart as a political man he disapproved of Father Fourcade's trial of this miracle. Now it was no longer possible to draw back, the crowd was waiting, and had been suppilcat- ing God ever since the morning. The wisest course was to finish at once, in the most respectful way they could toward the dead man. Therefore, in place of moving him too much to get off his clothes Berthaud thought it best to plunge him into the pool just as he was. There would still be time enough to change him if he was resuscitated, and in the contrary case it mattered little. He quickly explained this to the assistants and helped them pass the slings under the thighs and shoulders of the man. Father Fourcade had approved by a sign, while Father Massias redoubled his fervor | . “Savior, breathe upon him and he will be | born again! Savior, give back his soul, that he may glorify The With a great effort lifted tho man on the the edge of the bath down into the water, fearful lest o might escape from them. Pierre, seized with hor- ror, could not help but look, and saw plainly the body immersed, with its miserable clothes, ‘that stuck to the bones, outlining the skeleton. He floated like a drowned man The most horrible thing was th notwithstanding the rigidity of the corpse, the head fell backward and was under the water, although the assistants struggled in vain to hold up the sling about the shoul- ders; the man nearly slipped to the bottom the two assistants slings, took him to and slowly let him | of the bath. How then could he recover his breath, with his mouth full of water and his large open eyes looking as though he wers under this element, dying a second time. During the three interminable min- utes that they were soaking him the two fathers of the Assumption, as well as the almoner, in a paroxysm of desire and faith, forced themselves to fmplore heaven 8o loudly that their voices fairly strangled “Lord, look only upon him, and he will Tise again! Saviour, let him rise at Thy volce, to convert the world! Saviour, Thou hast but to speak one word and Thy people will praise Thee.” As though a vessel had burst In his throat, Father Massias fell on his elhows choking, with only sufficient strength to kiss the pavement. And from outside came the clamor of the crowds, the cry repeated without ceasing that the capuchin was ever saying: ‘“‘Lord, heal our sick! Lord, save our sick ones!” It sounded so strange that Pierre felt worse than ever. He felt the marquis shiver next to him. And it was general relief when Berthaud, much put out by the incident, to tho assistants: him away.” They took the man away, placed him on the litters, with his watery rags sticking to his limbs. His hair was matted, streams ran down and inundated the room. And the dead man simply remained a dead man. They all got up and looked at him in the midst of a painful silence. Then, as they covered him over and carried him off, Father Fourcade followed, leaning on Father Massias' shoulder, dragging his gouty leg that he had forgotten in the moment of sad leaviness. He was already recovering his customary serenity, and might be heard saying to the crowd during a silence: “My dear brothers, my dear sisters. God id not wish to give him back to us. With- out doubt it is because In His infinite good- ness He has kept him among the elect.” That was all. There was no longer any question about the man. Once again the invalids were brought, the two other baths were occupied. - Little Gustave, however, had followed the scene with his curious and pene- trating eyes without feeling afraid, and was now finishing his disrobing. His miserablo body of a scrofulous child might be seen, with his skinny ribs and bony spine, so thin that his legs looked like walking sticks, especially the left one, which was withered down to the bone, and he had two sores, one on the thigh, the other on his hip— the latter most fearful looking, with proud flesh. He smiled, however, o sharpened by suffering that' he seemed to have the mind and brave philosophy of a man, though his fifteen years might have been only ten from his looks. The Marquis de Salmon- Roquebert, who had taken him quictly in his arms, refused any assistance from Pierre. “Thanks, he does not weigh more than a bird. And do not be afraid, my little man; I shall go slowly.” ‘“Oh, sir, I am not afraid of the cold water. You can plunge me into it.” He was plunged into the same bath where they had bathed the man. At the entrance Mme. Vigernon and Mme. Chaise, who were not allowed to come in, had again fallen on their knees and were devoutly praying, while the father, M. Vigneron, admitted into the room, was making great signs of the cross. Pierre went away, seing he was no longer useful. The sudden thought that it was long past 3 o'clock and that Marle must be wait- ing for him caused him to hurry. But as he was trying to stem the tide of people he saw the young girl coming, dragged by Ger- ard, who had not stopped taking invalids to the' pools. She was querulous. and vaguely oveic me by the certainty that she was finally in-a state of grace. And she uttered just one word of reproach: “‘Oh, my friend, did you forget all about me?” He had nothing to say, and watehing her enter the women's pool he fell on his knees, torribly sad. He would wait for her there, thus prostrated, to take her back tr the grotto, cured, of courss, and singing pralses, Since she felt so sure of being cured, would she not be healed? Vainly did he hurriedly seck for words of prayer in his troubled being. He was struck down still by those terrible things he had just witnessed, over- come by physical fatigue, his brain depleted, no longer knowing what he either saw or believed; only his great tenderness for Marie remained and created a need for solicitations and of humility in the thought that the young, when they love greatly and supplicate the Mighty, end by obtaining mercy. And he feit surprised to find himself repeating with the crowd, in a distressed voice that came from the bottom of his soul: ‘“Lord, heal our sick! Lord, heal our sick That lasted for ten minutes, perhaps half an hour. Then Marie reappeared, still in ber cart, Her pale face was desperate, her splendid hair was knotted in a heavy, round like gold, and had not been touched by the water, and she was not cured! A stupor of infinite discouragement had deepened and lengthened her face, while she turned away her eyes as though she did not wish to meet those of the priest, who, overcome, with a frozen heart, decided to catch hold of the handle of the pole to drag her back in front of the grotto. And the cry of the falthful went up in growing folly, with crossed arms and kissing the ground on bended knees, augmented by the sharp voices of the Capu- chins: ‘“Savicur, heal our sick! Lord, cure our sick!” When Pierre was placing Marie in front of the grotto again she had a faint turn. At once Gerard, who was there, ran to fetch Raymonde, who brought a cup of soup, and between them there was an ac- cession of zeal about the invalid. Raymonde insisted that she should take some soup, holding her eup so carefully and assuming the positive manner of a good nurse, while Gerard instantly thought her charming—this girl without a penny, already an expert about the gocd things of lite—ready to take charge of a house with a firm hand, yet not ceasing to be amiable, Berthaud was right; this was the kind of wife he needed. “Madamolselle, do you want me to lift her a little?” ““Thanks, sir; I am quite strong enough. I shall make her take it from a spoon; that wiil be better.” But Marle, refusing to break her fearful silence when she came to herself, declined the soup by motion. She wished to be left alone, not to be spoken to. And it was only after the two others had gone away smiling to one another that she sald to Pierre in a hoarse voice “Has not my father come?" The priest, after hesitating a moment, had to confess the truth. “I left your father asleep and he has probably not waked up.” d in a harsn voic: “Pake him away, take Then Marle, . falling once more into her state of weakness, sent him away with a motion that she refused any help. Motion- less, she no longer prayed; she regarded with her large fixed eyes the marble Virgin, the white statue, in the glittering grotto. And as 4 o'clock struck Plerré, with an aching heart, went off to the bureau of cartifications, remembering the rendezvous that D:etor Chassalgne had given him there (To ba continued next Sunday.) In France, where during the year of 1893 there were 100 musical festivals organized, there are more than 3,000 societies orpheon- iques, comprising a membership of 120,200, DeWitt's Little karly Riser: safe pllls, best pills. Small pills, CARE OF DISABLED VETERANS A Glance at the Soldiers' and Sailors’ Home at Grand Island. AN ECONOMICALLY CONDUCTED INSTITUTE the Fare rative Cost the Detailed of the Inn at Reviow Showing s and Comp Present and Past, GRA spondence of The littla city of about D ISLAND, (Neb, May 8.—(Corre- Bee.)—Grand Island 1s a 10,000 souls, built on a level plain om the north shore of the Platte Hall coun 1 miles west of on the main line of the Union Pa- cific railroad, and is moted not less for its beautitul location tHan for the enterprise and commercial acti¥ily of the Inhabitants, Grand Islund has from the first been noted for the energy and enterprise of her citizens and the permanent ¢haracter of her com- mercial and industrig] institutions. The Union Pacific ¢mpany several years ago established and still maintains exten- sive shops in the eastern of the city. The buildings are large and massive, built of stone, and within their walls hun- dreds of workmen are constantly employed. The city has become noted all over the world by the establishment of the largest beet sugar factory in the west, built and operated by the Oxnards. But probably the mest noted institution in the city, and one which will always stand as a monument of the fidelity of the people of the state of Nebraska to the nation’s de- fenders in their declining years, is the Ne braska Soldiers’ and Sailors’ home. The lat- ter institution was founded in 1887, by legis- lative enactment, $30,000 being appropriated river, in Omaha, suburbs for carrying out the provisions of the act and for the maintenance of the home for the years 1887-8. The bill provided for the erection of a central building capable of ac- commodating not less than twenty-five nor more than fifty persons in addition to the necessary officers and employes. A section of gently rolling and highly productive land two miles north of the city was donated for the use of the home, upon which the build- ings, now forming quite a village, stand, and from the products of which much’of the sub- sistence of the brave old boys who find a home there is derived. A hor; r line connects the home with the city, supplying a cheap and convenient mode of transit for the officers and their wards. The main building is of brick, three stories and basement, with all modern con- venienoss, heated by steam, supplied with water throughout and is surrounded with many smaller buildings, hospital, commissary department, residence cottages, barns, sheds, Implement houses, ete. A beautiful and well kept lawn, studded with fruit and forest trees, stretches away on three sfdes of the ‘main building. This lawn fs the special pride of the population of the home, the soldicrs vieing with each other in its care and in the planting of trees. Arbor day was probably better observed here than on any other of the public grounds in the state, A very large oblong mound, directly in front of the south entrance of the main building, forms a_summer recep- tacle for potted plants which in winter oc- cupy stands in the sunny south windows of parlors in the buildings, tenderly cared for by Mrs. Walker, wife of Adjutant M. K. Walker. A single little No, 4 englne pumps all the water and runs all the machinery of the institytlon. The water works consists of a tank with a capacity of 500 barrels, furnishing. all the buildings, besides water for stoek and irrigation pur- poses. ) The main building:fs 100 feet from the power house, the old4hospital 150 feet, and the new hospital 500 eel, and the loss of steam in transit is a, matter of quite seri- ous moment, adding’ materially to the ex- pense for coal. Thete are seven double cottages for families, forming = the west boundary of the extensive lawn, and six of them are occupled by soldiers and their wives, making twel§g families to be sup- plied with heat, proyfptons, water and care, at a great increasd.af expense over the denizens of the maiy building. One of the many arduous duties gf the matron, Mrs. S. E. Myers, is the super¥ision of the cottages, presided over, as thdy are, by superannu- ated women, but few'of whom are capable of properly caring for their own persons, much less” that of performing the ever re- curring duties pertgihing to the sanitary conditions necessary, for health and com- fort in home life. '} The cottage plan fsjcertainly far superior <o the corridor theorg: which places all in- mates of a state ingtftution under one roof and thus obliterates 1l semblance of real home life, but the greatly increased cost, both as to attendants and supplies, under the former system, raises a barrier which it is not always possible to surmount, es- pecially in the newer ‘western states, where taxpayers object to extravagant appropria- tions ‘for state institutions. THE HOSPITAL. Dr. John Janues Is the present surgeon for the home, and has been in charge for the past four years. He is a painstaking, conscientious and skilled phy- siclan, prepares all his own medicines from the store of drugs supplied by the state, and has twenty patients under his charge at the present time. The wonder is that a competent physician can be obtained for the small salary allowed, Dr. Janues filling the dual office qf surgeon and_ steward, re- celving $50 as surgeon and $25 as steward, hand power resident bound in heavy pape plete. tain one par 30 cents, only for storage. loaves of bread every cther day to supply the There is nothing smacking of luxury in the supplies furnished “ACross Have gone most of thosc mighty men of valor who fought the battles of the Civil War and wrote the articles coms- prised in the great Century War Book. They have, passed, in glorious throng, “To That Bourne”’ whence no tales of war will ever The rest are going fast. General Henry W. Slocum COINC. Gave Up This Life During the Past Week. He it was who told the story of part of Sherman’s March to the Sea (in which he distinguished himself), and also_described the final review in Washington. So Also Has Passed The Confederate General Kershaw, who graphically describes the thrilling attack of his own brigade at the fa- ST U e e T B N T R AT T RS R P YR | General J. B. Kershaw R T ST S Vol Tk A mous Peach Orchard on the bloody field of Gettysburg. Other Contributors Who have joinedthe silent majority are the following: General U. S. Grant, General W. T. Sherman, General G. T. Beauregard, General Abner Doubleday, General B. F. Cheatham, General Thomas L. Crittenden, General Quincy A. Gillmore, General Daniel H. Hill, General Joseph E. Johnston, General George B. [lc- Clellan, General J. C. Pemberton, General John Pope, General E. Kirby Smith, Admiral There has been but oz¢ History of the Great War, written by its makers, (@& and thatis .. ..... Porter, James B. Eads, There can never be another. THE CENTURY WAR BOOK Captain John Ericsson, and many others. Captain It May Be Had Upon These Terms Only: On page 2 of this paper will be found a War Book Coupon. panied with 10 cents, entitle the holder to one part of this book. covers; a new part will be issued ea Mny 4 of these coupons, with 10 cents, entitles you to any issue or number of this book. week, and Four of these coupons of different dates will, when accom The whole work will be completed in about twenty parts, upons will be printed daily until the series i com- FOR CITY READERS—Bring coupons, together with 10 cents, to the ofice of The Omaha Bee, where you can ob- . Other parts will follow weekly. FOR OUT-OF-TOWN READERS-—Mail to War Book Department, Omaha Bee, coupons and 10 cents in coin. The part It takes a baking of 120 table, and other things in proportion. de- by the commissary making $75 per month, partment to the kitchen, but there is noth- The old hospital, which was, for a time, | "8 lacking which could be desired by or- temporarily abandoned for repairs, s now | dinary, eviry-day people. ome of the most conveniently “arranged THE FARM. infirmaries in the west. It Is provided ; y with bath and toilet rooms for each ward Tno, tundradacras vt the: Gl-Rore: arm ] , i | is now under cultivation, and thirty acres malking it very convenient for the decrepit ] 3 & d X i ) more will be broke this year. John Murry, patlents, who, for the most part, are vic- [ [ore Mill be broke tuls ) tims of the varlous forms of paralysis and | Superintendent of the farm, is one of th 4 : ) best farm and stock men in the state, and rheumatism. An ample kiichien and dining [ pest farm and B S room, presided over by special cooks, tempts | 228 ‘I“", asnsanie S, heaapailadty S aen the appetites of the patients, while wide | MOnth each, while Mr. Murry gets $25. In verandas, extending asund. throo sidey oo | OUtHning his past work and future plans the bullding, form a pleasant promenade | M Murry casually remarked that he was overworked and underpaid, but knowing that for those who can walk, or a smooth track all connected with the institution or W i o AN persons oo el chairs for those who have ot | Yora in the same boat, he did not want to who for the past four years has acted as | SCMPlain. nurse, Is most highly spoken of by botk | It 18 a fact that eyery employe at the surgeon and patients, and thelr greatest | 10Me is earning his or her money, and, per- fear {8 that e will not consent to stay | haps more, but under the present economi- much longer on a salary of $25 per month. | ¢al business -administration, salaries are As stated above, the class of diseases to be | 5¢aled down to fit the conditions of the treated are, for the most part, chronic | PeOPle Who pay the taxes. In this con- and of a character which render the pa. | hection it might be well to explain that the tlents helpless, very fow cases of acute | $100 per capita apportioned to inmates of attacks, as In younger persons, occurring, | the State home annually, goes into the which necessitates competent and extremely patient nursing. This fact also adds ma- terially to the expemse, many articles of clothing, bedding and bandages being unfit, for prudential reasons, to be used a second time. I THE LIBRARY. A large, airy and well lighted room in the main building is used for a library and read- ing room, and you would be astonished at the interest centered there. Tha room is never entirely deserted, except at night and meal times. The gray-haired old veterans eagerly devour the contents of the books, magazines and daily papers, and many of | fa; them caii hold the edge on the brightest col- | is lege professor In an argument on current history. The daily papers are snapped up as soon th thi as of 938 Yo states having soldlers’ homes. Walker on “meat day” cutting as fine st state treasury and is not added to the appro- priation, and which I8 nineteen other To arrive at e real cost of maintalning the Nebraska as many suppose, e case in some of the home, $100 per capita of inmates per year should be deducted from the appropriation 80 much earned, The National Home paid to the treasurer Nebraska (not to the home) during 1893, $5,- 8.37, leaving the actual cost to the state only $22,269.87 to be met by taxation. The farm is well stocked with cattle and hogs of high grade and registered animals. Enough beef and pork are produced on the rm to supply the home and the cash fund increased by the proceeds of the sale of several thousand pounds of pork annually. our correspondent saw Quartermaster ak as they arrive and the news discussed with | as ever went on the table from the carc all the vigor if not the intelligence usually | of a young animal bred and raised on the accorded only to the yeang. There Is more | place. A registered Holstein bull and Poland politics to the square:inch in the soldiers | China boar head the herds. At present the hore than any other piice in the state, and the arguments are sometimes clinched with live stock consists of seven horses, seventy-one cattle and fifty-six hogs, head of work blows, In spite of the thorough discipline | not including young pigs. The miik and but- maintained in the institution. tor from twenty-two cows are used at the The library consisté' of a few hundred | home. volumes, mostly histdfical works, with a | ©On the recommendation of Governor sprinkling of fiction, Wnd supplemented by and periodicals. Crounse, who recently paid a visit to the in- current literature in the form of daily papers | g¢itution and made a thorough Inspection, 100 sheep will be added to the stock on the i T B farm KITGHEN AND QIVING BOOM. A neat frame edifice, at a respectful dis- Tha culinary departusént Is sadly defictent, | tance from the other buildings, stands the having been ~planngdiite accommodate not | jiitle chapel, capable of seating about 200 more than fifty persows, while for the past | persons, provided with opera chairs and a six months the average number sitting down | handsome pulpit, the Intorior appropriately to meals in the dinink'room has been 100. | decorated with the stars and tripes. Al The kitchen room s tcg small and the range | though the home has no chaplalf, kind. not of sufficient capacity, while the dining room has been provided with an overflow | table in & small dark room formerly used l in hearted ministers from the city of Grand nd, by taking turns, hold free services the' chagel every, Sabbath, and it is from l here that the little processions wend their way to the cemetery at only too frequent intervals, after religious ceremonies have been obseryed, conducted by ministers rep- resenting the faith of the deceased member, The chapel is also used for an occasional lecture or entertainment not strictly, of a religious nature. OFFICERS AND MANAGEMENT. The management of the home s vested in a visiting and examining board, who are required by law to visit the institution at least nce every three months, and inquire into the management of its affairs, as to the treatment of the members, define the duties of the officers, fix their compensation, ribe rules for admission of applicants, ommend to the Board of Public Lands and Bulldings such expenditures as they may deem necessary, audit all bills and claims, and, in short, govern the entire affairs’ of the home in all its departments, The present visiting and examining board is M. H. Barber, president, Fullerton; Mrs. L. A. Bates, secretary, Aurora; Mrs. B. M. Abbott, Grand Island; A. H. Brown, Hast- ings; W. E. Morgan, Scotia. Officers—D. A. Scovill, commandant; M. K. Walker, adjutant; John Janus, M. D., surgeon; Mrs, S. K. Myers, matron. Commandant Scovill, who, by the way, Is a very qulet, efficient officer, Is fortunate in having under him an_ excellent corps of officers and employes. His experience in public life, having been a member of three different legislatures, stands him in good stead now, and his adjutant and quarter- master, M. K. Walker, who was also in the legislature a few years ago, Is pecullarly well qualified to perform the multifarious duties of his position. Both men have the confidence and respect of all the members of the home. . PAY ROLL. The pay roll of officers is as follow: Commandant, per year. Adjutant-quartermaster, Burgeon-steward, per year. Matron, per year.......... The state 18 not of members of the $1,600 %00 600 & 400 in pensions home, each pensioner being allowed to use his money as he pleases. A few of the soldiers have left wife and family and sought a home here, simply to lighten the burden at the old home, and all such faithfully save every penny to send to the wife and family. Others who Iwve none dependent upon them and still a few others who take no thought concerned of the morrow, as soon as their pension comes, ask for a thirty day furlough, go away and stay away while the money lasts, which 18 usually less than a week, and then return and settle down to the old routine On inquiry It was found that the home shelters elghty-nine pensioners in all. Out of the total number of members forty draw less than $8 per month, and many of the forty nothing. CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES, Under the present administration of stato affairs, successful bidders for furnishing supplies for the inatitution are required to deliver all the goods enumerated In the con- Be particular to (1)state the number of the part desived; (2) your name and full address: (3) incloso the necessary coupons und ou request will be sent, post paid, to your address. tract at the price stated. There is no dodg- ing as tormerly. Herctofore a bidder would take the list ‘and make a price on those articles least used and which represented but a small amount of money, away below the actual value, and on the more staple articles, representing more money, and of which large quantities were needed, a higher figure. For instance a certain contractor put a price on nutmegs which was lower than the wooden Green mountain article could have been delivered for, supposing ot course that but few would be called for, but he thought it was quite a spicy joke wheng Governor Crounse ordercd the entire lot de- livered at once. Tho consequence is the state owns a supply of nutmegs at a mere nomi- nal price. So rigid is this rule that the ment of the Lome is obliged to maks special requisition when any small article 1 wanted which is not covered by the con- tract. 1f it is merely marking tags for the laundry, involying an outlay of only a few dollars or cents, a requisition must be sub- mitted to the board of purchase and sup- plies, and if approved the same must be at- taghed to the voucher, and all artieles pur- chased under the regular contr before approved, The cost per capita for inmates of the home for the last half of 1 which period came wholly under the préent administra- tlon, was $146.07, while for the first half of the 'same year ‘the cost per caplta was $156.40. From figures not available at the present time it {5 known that the per capita cost will be still further reduced fn 1594, It should be borne in mind that this re- duction is not due to parsimony or made at the expense of the comfort of the Inmates of the home, but Is simply and strictly the result of the application of more Wigid business principles —_— Fifty ¥Feet of Rainfall Annunlly, There is always more or less guesswork concerning the amount of rain that falls dur- ing any storm period, says the St. Louls Republic. Threughout the United States the amount that falls on any one day rarely ox- ceeds one inch. There are certain portions of the globe, however, that are frequently, and others only occasionally, deluged with water. On the southern slopes of the Himalaya mountains, at an altitude of 4,500 feet, 610 inches of rainfall have been registered in a single year, of which amount 147 mehes (12 foet 3 Inches) foll in the month of June, At a meteorolggical station in latitude 18, near the western boundary of Hindoostan, the average rainfall for the fifteen years ond- ing with 1593 was 2564 Inches, In the northwestern part of England, at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the average ans nual rainfall is 146 inches, 111 inches in exsess of the mean for St. Louls, which is but thirty-seven inches and a fraction, The wonderful record given above Is still more phenomenal when we consider the fact that all the molsture the atmosphere is capable of holding at any one time | would cover the entire surface of the globe | to a depth of less than four inches should it all be instantly precipitateds