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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1894)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , MAY 13 , 1891-TWENTY PAGES. 19 flo you know about them ? Just tctl yourself that you know nothing at all , and that the Impossible , according to our Idc.is , la being accomplished al about us , iU every Instant. Well , we have talked a long time , It wilt noon bo 11 o'clock , and you must noon go back to the grotto. Dut I Khali expect you at halt past 3 and take you to the medical bureau of certification ! ! , where t hope to nhow you Rome thins * that will surprise you. Do not forget , at half peat 3. " After sending I'lcrro away ho remained alone on the bench. The Irat was Increas ing , the distant hills looking burning hot In the brilliant furnace heat of the sun. And ha muted awhllo , dreaming In the subdued light of the Rhadowfl , listening to the con tinuous murmur of the ( iavc , ( hat sounded llko n voice from far away , a beloved volco cpeaklng to him. I'lcrro hurried away to rejoin .Mario. He did so without difficulty , the crowd wan thinning out , far many had already gone off to breakfast. Near the young girl , sitting quietly , he Haw the father , M. do fluenmlnt , who commenced at once to explain his long absence. For moro 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 ho sud denly happened to flml two rooms , small and under the roof , to bo sure , but at a good hotel , the Hotel of the Apparitions , one of the best In the town. The people who had engaged them had Just telegraphed that their Invalid was dead. It was Indeed great luck , and he Boomed In great spirits. Eleven o'clock struck and the lamentable procession reformed to walk back through the sunny squares and streets , and when they reached th ? Hospital of Our Lady of Sorrows Marie begged them to go and break fast quietly at the hotel , then to rest a while , and only to come back for her at 2 o'clock , Just before It waa time to take the Invalids back to the grotto. JJut , after break fasting at the Hotel of the Apparitions , the two then went up stairs to their rooms , and M. do Gucrsalnt , overcome by fatigue , had gone to sleep so soundly that 1'lerre had not the heart to wako him. To what end ? Ills presence was jiot Indispensable. So ho re turned to the hospital alone , and the proces sion started again through the avenue of the grotto , fllad down the place of Merlasse , crossed the square of the Uosary , In the midst of the growing crowd that shuddsrea and crossed themselves In the enjoyment of the perfect August day. It was the culmi nating hour of a splendid day. When once moro placed In front of the grotto .Mario asked : "Is my father coming ? " "Yes , he Is resting for a whlld. " She motioned that she was glad , and then said In a volco 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 in racle she felt terrified , and as she was telling that she had eaten nothing a young girl came up. "Dear Madamolselle. If you are feeling so badly you know we have soup here for you. " She recognized Uaymonde. Young girls were thus occupied at the grotto , distributing soup and milk to the Invalids. In fact , dur ing the preceding years bo many had In dulged ; In such foolish coquetries by way cf smart aprons trlmmEtl with luce that a mod est kind of uniform apron of blue and white check had been substituted by the authori ties. And notulthstandlng this Uaymonde had contrived to look very charming In Its simplicity , with her fresh skin and busy air of a good housekeeper. "Is It not so ? " she repeated. "Just iiod 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 mov ing crowd , he found he was going In the direction of the pool , where ho met with such ou extraordinary sight that , ho stayed. In front of the three eddies where the baths wore. In rows of three , six for women and three for nun , there was a large space under the trees , hemmed In by a thick rope tied from tree to tree. The Invalids , either In their carriages or on the mattresses of their Utters , 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 cf 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 waiting for a long tlmo. pale With anguish , finally entered , carrying her precious burden , her darling little girl that looked llko a waxen Image of Jesus. The Capuchin fell on his knees , with arms crossed , crying : "Lord , heal our siok ! " This ho repeated ten times , twenty times , each with growing energy , and each tlmo the crowd , too , repeated It , screaming louder at every supplication , sobbing and kissing the ground. It was llko a mad Whirlwind , throwing down all heads Into the dust. Pierre stood overcome by this sob of suffer ing that scorned to como 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 volco , decafonlng 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 Orlvottc was crying plteously because they would not bathe her. "They only say so because I am consump tive , and they cannot plunge consumptives Into cold water. Dut I saw them do It to one this morning , why not do It to me ? I am killing myself by swearing to them for tflo last half hour that they are offend ing the Holy Virgin. I am going to bo curqd , I fool It , I am going t6 bo cured. " Fearing lest she might create a scandal , ono of the almoners of the pool approached her and tried to calm her. They would see about It presently , they would ask the opinion of the reverend fathers. Perhaps , It she was very well behaved , they might bathe her. Still the cry kept up : "Lord , heal our sick ; Lord , heal our sick ! " Pierre , who had Just noticed Mmo. Vetu , who was likewise waiting at the cntranca to the pool , could not take his eyes oft that face , BO tortured by hope , with Its eyes fixed on the door from which the happy ones , the elect , came out cured. Ilut a fresh frenzy , a rage of supplication , again attracted him , affecting him oven to tears. It was Mme. Vincent , who reappeared with her daughter Mill In her arms , that miserable yet adored daughter , who had Just been plunged faint ing Into the Icy water , and whoso poor llt- tla face , half dried , was still as palo as over , 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 ovqn to the condition of her child , was sob bing bitterly. Yet when Mme. Vetu In her turn wont In with the strength ot a dying person who expects to drink now life , the cry rang out once more , without dis couragement or lassitude : "Lord , heal our sfck ; Lord , heal our sick ! " Thn Capuchin once moro fell on the ground , crossing his arms , howling and biting the ground as ho kissed It. Ple-io tried to Join Mme Vincent to say on encouraging word to her , but a fresh wave ot pilgrims prevented him from passIng - Ing and carried htm forward toward- the fountain , beselgod 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 watting In line. Many cama to fill their bottles , tin cans and porcelain Jug * . In order not to lone any water each faucet ran only when a button was pressed. AVgmort with their weak hands helped them selves , wetting tholr feot. Those who had no Jugs to flll came at least to drink or wash tholr faces. Plerro noticed one young man who drank Bovim glasses and washed his face aoven times without drying the latter. Others drank out ot shells , pewter mugs or leather cups. And ho was most particularly Interested In watching Ellse , Ronquot , who , thinking It ucelem to go to the pool to beiu'lH the frlgKful sore an her face , had continued ever since the morning to bathe it In tha fountain every two hours. Shu knelt down , threw aside the scarf and ap plied on the Bore a hamlkorchlef folded lengthwise that she soaked like a sponge In tha miraculous water , whllu all about her the crowd surged in auch excitement that people no longer saw her fearful looking fice. but used ard even drink from Ilia kamo stream ntvlHch & utsa c nstantly wetting her h < r } \ - t Just at that M r r > e-ir ! ' - > was passIng - Ing , drawing M r I" ' * < - t > ft i il , seeing th t Pierre wi .1 * nil * I to hjm He asked him to come alrng &u4 give a help ing hand , for the paralyzed man wan not cany to move or gel Into the watnr. It was thus that Plerro remained for nearly half an hour at the men's pool , waiting with the Invalid , while Gerard returned to the grotto to fetch others , The pools seemed very well planned. They consisted of three divisions , each ono 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 bo drawn to hldo the Invalid. In front wai a. general sitting room , paved with stone , furnished only by a bench and two chairs , that served as a waiting place. The Invalids were undressed there , and dressed again quickly with awk ward hoate , A kind of false modesty. A man was there , still naked , who , half hid den by the curtain , was trying to readjust a , b.indago with trem bling fingers , Another , a consump tive , frightfully thin , was shaking llk a rattle , his livid skin stained with purple stripes. I'lcrro was particularly Interested In Urother Isidore , whom they were taking out of on ? of the batln. He had fainted , and for a moment they thought he was dead , but he commenced to utter n cry ; and It was a fearful sight , his great body withered by suffering , llko a human sacrifice thrown on a butcher's stall , his hip perforated by a running sore. The two hospital assistants that hod Just bathed him had the greatest difficulty to get on his shirt , for they feared to have him die should they shako him. "PIcaso Abbe , you will help us , will you not ? " asked the ono that was undressing M. Sabathlcr. Plerro at once acquiesced , and recognized as ho looked at the * man who was performing these humble offices , the marquis of Salmon- Hoquebcrt , whom M. de Guersalnt had pointed out to him at the station , Ho was a man of absut 40 , with a large .pointed nose , sot In a long facd ; 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 , Hue de Lille , and an Immense country seat In Normandy. During the three days of the national pil grimage ho came every year to Lourdes sim ply for charity's sake , without any religious motive , for ho was nothing moro than a good fellow. He was determined to be noth ing more than an ordinary assistant , that year bathing the Invalids , his arms breakIng - Ing from fatigue , his hands full from mornIng - Ing till night taking off their rags , adjusting and changing bandages. "Take care , " he said ; "remove his stockings without hurryIng - Ing a moment ago when they were jjresslng that poor man yonder the skin came away. " As lie left M. Sabathlcr for a while to go and put on the wretched man's boots , he felt that the left shoo was wet In his hands. He looked some matter had run down filling the end of the shoe , and he had to empty It out before replacing It on the Invalid's foot , which ho did with infinite precautions , so as not to touch the lg l , which was eaten by an ulcer. "Now , " said ho to Pierre , coming back to M. Sabathler , "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 oft the largo open space that was kept clear by the ropes ; so the ar dent supplications ot the crowd were heard In a continual clamor , whilst the shrill voice of the Capuchin was still heard repeating without stopping : "Lord , heal our sick- Lord , heal our sick. " A palo light foil from high windows , while there arose a faint odor as from wet ceJ.'ars and constant dampness. M. Sabathler was naked at last , and for decency they tied over his stomach a narrow apron. "I beg you , " ho said , "to let me down Into the water little by little. " The cold water terrified him. He related that the first tlmo ho had experienced such a fearful shock that ho had vowed never to como again. To hear him there was no greater torture. Then , too , as he said , the water was not Inviting ; for lest the supply from the spring should be Insufficient , 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 bo 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 nursery1 for poisonous germs , an essence of the most horrlblo contagion , and it was a miracle that any ono came out from the human mud alive. "Carefully , carefully/ repeated M. Saba thler to Pierre- and tha marquis , who had taken him underneath his thighs to carry him to the bath. He looked at the water with the fear ot a child that thick and livid looking water whonf. 'floated glistening scales or clouded scraps of flesh. Onn the edge to the Jeft there was a red clot , as though an abscess had burst Just there. Hits of rag , as well as of flesh , were swimming about , and still his dread of cold water was so great that ho preferred the dirty afternoon baths , be cause after so many bodies had been soaked. In them the water became somewhat warm. "Wo will let you slide down on the steps , " explained the marquis In a low tone. Tt\en ho advised Pierre to hold him up well by the arm pits. "Do not be afraid , " said the priest , "I will not let go. " Slowly M. Sabathler 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 nolso was heard llko a breaking bone , while ho choked with all breath gone. Instantly the almoner standing In front ot the bath cried out with a fresh fervor : "Lord , heal our sick ; Lord , heal our sick ! " At each Immersion M. do Salmon-Iloqucbert repealed the cry , which was the rule for the assistants to do. Pierre also was obliged to utter It , and his pity was so moved at the sight of BO much suffering that he experi enced a kind ot faint. Ho had not prayed thus for so long , and he thought there must be a Rod In the heavens whose omnipotence was able to comfort such miserable human ity. After three or four minutes they took M , Sabathlcr out ot the bath , livid and ( Tem- bling , Pierre felt a deeper and moro hopeless sensation , to see him so wretched , almost overcome and una"ble to afford any relief. Another useless trial. For the seventh time the Holy Virgin had not deigned to listen. Ho shut his eyes , while two great tears rolled from his closed eyelids while they dressed him. Presently Pierre recognized llt- tlo Gustavo Vlgneron , who entered with his crutch to take his first bath. At the door the family were Knoellng the father , mother and the aunt , Mmo. Chaise , were all there , substantial and of an examplary piety. It was whispered among the1 crowd that this was a superior employe of the minister of finances. Just as the child was beginning to undress there was a commotion , and Father Fourcade and Father Masslas 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 the resurrec tion of the man. Outside the prayers continued a wild cry of voices 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. Ilaron Sulre , president of the Hospltallte , followed It , as did also Uerthaud , ono of the heads of departments , for the trial affected the entire society , and several words wore exchanged In an under tone between these gentlemen and the two fathers of the Assumption. Then thcso 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 , "Savior , hear us ! Savior , gfant our prayer ! " They hail carried M. Sabathler out , and of tha Invalids only Gustavo re mained , halt undressed , forgotten In a chair. The curtains of tha litter were drawn and the corpse ot the nun was seen , already stiff , reduced and shrunken , with great eyes that remained obstinately open. Dut they had to undress him , for ha was entirely clothed , and the assistants hesitated at this terrible duty. Pierre noticed that the Marquis do Salmon-Roquebert , so devoted to the living , had turned aside , and knelt down besldo him. as It he did not want to touch the body. So he Imitated the marquis , and did likewise , to have some one to keep him In countenance , Jly degrees Father Musslai became exalted and his loud voice drowned that of hU su perior , Father Fourcade. "Lord , give us bnck our brother' Savior , do this tor thy glory' " One of the assistants had decided to pull oft 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 uafaitonlug the old top coat , said In a tow voice that It would bo quicker to cut everything off with the scissors , other * wise they would never get to the end , Uerthaud rushed forward. In a few words he had consulted with Daron Sulro. In his heart as a political man he disapproved of Father Fourcado's trial of this miracle. No\V It was no longer possible to draw back , the crowd was waiting , and had been supplicat ing God ever since the morning , The wisest coilrsc was to finish at once , In the most respectful way they could toward tha dead man. Therefore , In place of moving him too much to get oft his clothes Uerthaud thought It best to plunge him Into the pool Just as ho was. There would still be tlmo 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 , whllo Father Masslas redoubled hH fervor : "Savior , breathe upon him and ho will bo born again ! Savior , glvo back his soul , that he may glorify Thee ! " With a great effort the two assistants lifted the man on the slings , took him to the edge ot the bath and slowly let him down Into the water , fearful lest ha might escape fiom them. Pierre , seized with horror ror , could not help but look , and saw plainly the body immersed , with Its miserable clothei. that stuck to the bones , outlining the skeleton. Ho floated llko n drowned man. The most horrible thing was that , 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 of the bath. How then could ho recover his breath , with his mouth full of water and his large open eyes looking os though ho were , under this element , dying n 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 deslro and faith , forced themselves to Implore heaven to loudly that their voices fairly strangled : "Lord , look only upon him , and he will Vlso again ! Saviour , let him rise at Thy voice , to convert the world ! Saviour , Thou hast but to speak ono word and Thy people will praise Thee. " As though a vessel had burst In his throat , Father Masslas fell on his elbows choking , with only sufficient strength to kiss the pavement. And from outside came the clamor ot 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 Plerro felt worse than ever. He felt the marquis shiver next to him. And It was general relief when Uerthaud , much put out by the Incident , said In a harsn volci to the assistants : "Tako htm away , take 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 Masslas' shoulder , dragging his gouty leg that he had forgotten In the moment of sad heaviness. 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 did 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 Gustavo , however , had followed the scene with his curious and pene trating eyes without feeling afraid , and was now finishing his disrobing. His miserable body of a scrofulous child might be seen , with his skinny ribs and bony spine , so thin that his legs looked llko 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 hla hip the latter most fearful looking , with proud flesh. He smiled , however , so 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 Salnion- Roquebert , who had taken him quietly In his arms , refused any assistance from Pierre. "Thanks , ho does not weigh moro than a bird. And do not bo afraid , my little man ; I shall go slowly. " "Oh. sir , I am ! not afraid ot the cold water. You can plunge mo into It. " He was plunged Into the same bath where they had bathed the man. At the entrance' Mme. Vlgernon and Mme. Chaise , who were not allowed to come In , had again fallen on their knees and were devoutly praying , while the father , M. Vlgneron , admitted Into the room , was making great signs of the cross. Pierre went away , seine he was no longer useful. The sudden thought that It was long1 past 3 o'clock and that Marfe must be waitIng - Ing for him caused him to hurry. Uut as ho was trying to stem the tldo 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 ovec : me by the certainty that she was finally In-a state cf grace. And she uttered just one word of reproach : "Oh , my friend , did you forget all about mo ? " He had nothing to say , and watching her enter the women's pool he fell on his knees , terribly sad. He would wait for her there , thus prostrated , to take her back tc < the grotto , cured , of course , and singing praises. Since she felt so sure of being cured , would she not be healed ? Vainly did he hurriedly seek for words of prayer In his troubled being. Ho was struck down still by those terrible things ho 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 tar solicitations and of humility In the thought that the young , when they love greatly and supplicate the Mighty , end by obtaining mercy. And he felt 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 her 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 ta drag her back In front of the grotto. And the cry of the faithful went up In growing folly , with crossed arms and kissing the ground on bended knees , augmented by the sharp voices of th Capu chins : "Saviour , heal our sick ! Lord , cure our alck ! " When Pierre was placing Marie In front ot the grotto again she had a faint turn. At ones Gerard , who was there , ran to fetch Itaymondc , who brought a cup of soup , and between them there was an ac cession ot zeal about the Invalid , Raymonds Insisted that she should take some soup , holding her cup 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 oflfe ready to take charge ot a house with a firm hand , yet not ceasing to bo amiable. Uerthaud was right ; this was the kind of wife he needed. "MudamoUoIle , do you want mo to lift her a little ? " "Thanks , sir ; I am quite strong enough. I shall make her take it from a spoon ; that will be better. " Hut Marie , refusing to break her fearful sllenco when she rame to herself , declined the soup by motion. Shs wished to bo left alone , not to bo spoken to. And It was only after the two others had gene away smiling to one another that she said 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 isleop and he. has probably not waked up. " Then Marie.falling once more Into her state cf weakness. , sent him away with a motion that she refused any help. Motion less , she no longer prayed ; she regarded > vlth her largo fixed cyti the marble Virgin , the White statue. In tbo glittering grotto. And is 4 o'clock struck Pierre , with an aching heart , went off to the bureau of certifications , remembering the rendezvous that Uctor Chassalcnc had given him there. ( To bi 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. ' IJeWltt's Little farly [ Users , Small pllU , late pills , beat pllli. A Olanco at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Horn at Grand Island. AN ECONOMICALLY CONDUCTED INSTITUTI Dctnllcil Kutlotr Slinivlnc thn 1'nre the Ititimtes ami Comparative Cost nt Present mid In the Past. GRAND ISLAND , r Neb. , May 8. ( Corrc spondcncc of The Dec. ) Grand Island Is t llttlo city of about 10,000 souls , built on i level plain on-the nqrjli shore of the Platti river , In Hall county , 151 miles \\csl o Omaha , on the main * line of the Union Pa clflc railroad , and iff voted not less for Hi beautiful location Ulan for the entcrprlsi and commercial actlVltv of the Inhabitants Grand Island has fnjm the first been notei for the energy and enterprise of her citizen ! and the permanent character of her com' inorclal and Industrial Institutions. The Union Pacific company several yean ago established and'stlll , maintains exten sive shops In the eastern suburbs of the city. The buildings are largo 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 ot thu largest beet sugar factory In the west , built and operated by the Oxnards. Dut probably the mcst noted Institution In the city , and one which will always stand as a monument of the fidelity of the people ot the state of Nebraska to the nation's de fenders In tholr declining years. Is the Ne braska Soldiers' and Sailors' home. The lat ter Institution was founded In 18S7 , by legis lative enactment , $30,000 being appropriated for carrying out the provisions of the act and for the maintenance of tha homo for the years 1S87-8. The bill provided for the erection of a central building capable of ac commodating not less than twenty-five not 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 ot the home , upon which the buildIngs - 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 homo there Is derived. A horse car 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 veniences , heated by steam , supplied with water throughout and Is surrounded with many smaller buildings , hospital , commissary department , residence cottages , barns.sheds. Implement houses , etc. A beautiful and well kept lawn , studded with fruit and forest trees , stretches away on three sides of the "main building. This lawn is the special pride of the population of the home , the soldiers vicing with cacli 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 hand power engine pumps all the water and runs all the machinery of the Institution. The water works consists of a td'nk with a capacity of COO barrels , furnishing * all the buildings , besides water for stock end Irrigation pur poses. j' The main bulldlnprflts 100 feet from the power house , the oldHhospltal 150 feet , and the new hospital 500 tfeel , and the loss of steam In transit Is a , matter of quite Seri ous moment , adding' materially to the ex pense for coal. Th'e're are seven double cottages for famlllas , j forming the west boundary of the extensive lawn , and six of them are occupied Uy soldiers and their wives , making twel cCfamllies to bo sup plied with heat , provisions , water and care , at a great IncreasifVat expense over the denizens of the main building. One of the many arduous dutles.lif" the matron , Mrs. S. E. Myers , is the supervision ot the cottages , presided over , as theVv are , by superannu ated women , but fewtof whom are capable of properly caring fpr their own persons , much less that of perfoimlng the aver re curring duties pertdftilng ( o the sanitary conditions necessary 'lor health and com fort In home life. JV 1 The cottage plan ls < Scertalnly far superior to the corridor theorji' , which places all In mates of a state Institution under one roof and thus obliterates" 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 resident surgeon for the home , and 1ms been In charge for the past four years. He Is a painstaking , conscientious and skilled phy sician , prepares all his own medicines from the store of drugs supplied by the state , and has twenty patients under his charge at the present tlmo. The wonder Is that a competent physician can bo obtained for the small salary allowed , Dr. Janucs filling the dual office ijf surgeon and steward , re ceiving $30 as surgeon and $25 as steward , making $75 per month. The old hospital , which was , for a time , temporarily abandoned for repairs , Is now one of the most conveniently arranged Infirmaries In the west. It Is provided with bath and toilet rooms for each wapl , making It very convenient for the decrepit patients , who , for the most part , are vie- Jims of the various forms of paralysis and rheumatism. An ample kitchen and dining room , presided over by special cooks , tempts the appetites of the patients , while wldp verandas , extending around three sides of the building , form a pleasant promenade for those who can walk , or a smooth track for wheel chairs for those who have not the use of their limbs. Mr. T. Pridemore , who for the past four years has acted as nurse , Is most highly spoken of by both surgeon and patients , and their greatest fear IB that he will not consent to stay much longer on a salary of $25 per month. As stated above , the class of diseases to be treated are , for the most part , chronic and ot a character which render the pa tients helpless , very Tow cases of acute attacks , as In younger persona , occurring , ivhlch necessitates competent and extremely patient nursing. This fact also adds ma terially to the expense , many articles of ilothlng. bedding and bandages being unfit , tor prudential reasons , to be used a second time , THE LIBRARY. A large , airy and well lighted room In the main building Is used for a library and readIng - Ing room , and you would be astonished at the Interest centered there. Tha roam Is never entirely deserted , except at night and meal times. The gray-haired old veterans aageily devour the contents of the books , magazines and dally papers , and many of them can hoJ ! tha edge on the brightest col lege professor In an argument on current lilstory. The dally papers are snapped up as soon is they arrive and tho' news discussed with ill the vigor It not thlr Intelligence usually icoorded only to the young. There Is more politics to the square-'Inch In the soldiers Ionia than any other ) > IUce In the state , and : he arguments are sometimes clinched with ilowa. In splto ot Ui4 > thorough discipline nalntalned In the Institution. The library conslslU' of a few hundred , -olumes , mostly historical works , with a iprlnkllng of fiction , 'ttnd supplemented by current literature In tl/P'form / ' nt dally papers md periodicals , ' " ' KITCHEN AND , yiNINO ROOM. Ths culinary department Is sadly deficient , laving been planned1-to accommodate not lion- than fifty person's , whllo for the past itx months the average 'number sitting down o meals In the dining room has been 100. fha kitchen room Is t. . o binall and the run go lot of sufficient capacity , whllo the d nlng oem has been , provided with an overflow able In a small dark room formerly used Across the Range ! " Have gone most of those mighty men' of valor who fought the battles of the Civil War and wrote the articles com prised in the great Century War Book. They have passed 5 in glorious throng , uTe That Bourne" - whence no tales of war will ever come. The rest are going fast. Gave Up This Life During the Past Week. General Henry W. Slocum He. it was who told the story of part of Sherman's March to the Sea ( in which he distinguished himself ) , and alsodescribed _ the final review in Washington. So Also Has Passed _ The Confederate General Kershaw , | General J. B. KersHaW. who graphically describes the thrilling attack of his own brigade at the fa 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. flc- Clellan , General J. C. Pemberton , General John Pope , General E. Kirby Smith , Admiral Porter , Captain John Ericsson , Captain u James B. Eads , and many others. There has been but one History of the Great War , written by its makers , Sp" * and that is THE CENTURY 7 here can never be another. WAR BOOK THE CENTURY WAR BOOK It May Be Had Upon These Terms Only : On papo 2 of this paper will bo found a War Book Coupon. Four of thcso coupons of different dates will , when accom panicd with 10 cents , entitle the holder to ono part of this book. The whole work will bo completed in about twenty parts , bound in heavy paper covers ; a now part will bo issued each week , and coupons will bo printed dully until the series is com- ploto. Any 4 of those coupons , with 10 cents , entitles you to any issue or number of this book. FOR CITY READERS Bring coupons , together with 10 cents , to the olllco of The Omaha Boo , where you can ob tain ono part. Other parts will follow weekly. FOR OUT-OF-TOWN READERS Mail to War Book Department , Omaha Boo , coupons and 10 cents in coin. Bo particular to ( letato ) the number of tlu part desired ; (2) ( ) your name und full address : (3) ( ) incloao the necessary coupons and 30 conts. The part you request will be sent , post paid , to your address. only for storage. It takes a baking of 120 loaves of bread every ether day to supply the table , and other tilings In proportion. There is nothing smacking of luxury In the supplies furnished by the commissary de partment to the kitchen , but there is noth ing lacking which could be desired by or dinary , ov ry-day people. THK KAKM. Two hundred acres of the 040-acro farm Is now under cultivation , and thirty acres mere will b ? broke this year. John Murry , superintendent of the farm , Is one of the best farm and stock men In the state , and has two assistants who are paid JIG per month each , while Mr. Murry gets $25. In outlining his past work and future plans Mr. Murry casually mnarkod that ho was o\erworked and underpaid , but knowing that all persons connected with the Institution were In the same boat , he did not want to ccmplaln. U Is a fact that every employe at the home Is earning his or her money , and , per haps moro , but under the present economi cal Business administration , salaries are scaled down to lit the conditions of the people who pay the taxes. In this con nection It might bo well to explain that the $100 per capita apportioned to Inmates of the state homo annually , goes Into the state treasury and Is not added to the appro priation , as many suppose , and which Is the case In some of the nineteen other states having soldiers' homes. To arrive at the real cost of nialntalnlng the Nebraska homo , $100 per capita of Inmates per year should bo deducted from the appropriation as so much earned. . The National Homo paid to the treasurer of Nebraska ( not to the home ) during 1893 , JS- 933.37 , leaving the actual cost to the state only $22,209.87 to no met by taxation , ' The farm In well stocked with cattle and hogs ot high grade and registered animals. Enough beef and pork are produced on the farm to supply the homo and the iash fund Is Increased by the proceeds of the sale of several thousand pounds of pork annually. Your correspondent saw Quartrrmniitor Walker on "meat day" cutting as fine steak as over wont on the table from the carcass of a young animal bred and raised on the place. A registered Holsteln bull and Poland China boar head the herds. At present the llvu stock consists of seven head of work horses , seventy-one cattle and fifty-six hogs , not Including young pigs. The milk and but ter from twenty-two cows are used at the homo. On the recommendation ot Governor Crounse , who recently paid a vlilt to the In stitution and made a thorough Inspection , 100 sheep will be < added to the stock on the farm. A neat frame edifice , at a respectful dis tance from the other buildings , stands the little chapel , cjpablo of seating about 200 persons , provided with opera chairs and a handsome pulpit , the Interior appropriately decorated with the stars and stripes , Al though the homo has no chaplain , kindhearted - hearted minister * from the city of Grand Island , by taking turns , hold free services la the chajjcl every SabbatU , and It to from here that the little processions wend their way to the cemetery at only too frequent intervals , after religious ceremonies have been observed , 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. S AND MANAGEMENT. The management of the homo Is vested In a visiting and examining board , who are required by law to visit the Institution at least once every three months , and Inquire Into the management of Its affairs , as to the treatment of the members , dcflno the duties of the olllccrs , fix their compensation , prescribe rules for admission of applicants , recommend to the Hoard of Public Lands and Buildings such expenditures as they may deem necessary , audit all bills ami claims , and , In short , govern the entire affairs of the homo In all Us departments , The present visiting and examining board Is M. II. Harbor , president , Fullerton ; Mrs. L. A. Hates , secretary , Aurora ; Mrs. E. M. Abbott , Grand Island ; A. H. Drown , Hast ings ; AV. E. Morgan , Scotia , Officers D. A. Scovlll , commandant ; M , K. Walker , adjutant ; John Janus , M. D. , surgeon ; Mrs. S. 13. Myers , matron. Commandant Scovlll , who , by the way , Is a very quiet , efficient officer. Is fortunate In having under him an excellent corps ot 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 peculiarly well qualified to perform the multifarious duties of his position. Doth men have the confidence and rcxpect of all the members of the homo. . PAY HOLL. The pay roll of officers Is as follows : Commandant , per year . , . $ lr.OO Adjutant-quartermaster , per y/mr . KK ) Surgeon-steward , per year. . . . . . . , . 600 Matron , per year , . . , . . . , , . . , 400 The state IB not concerned In pensions of members of the homo , each pensioner being allowed to use hla money as ho pleases. A few of the soldiers have left wife and family and sought a homo here , simply to lighten the burden at the old home , and all such faithfully save every penny to send to the > \fo | and family. Others who Ivye none dependent upon them and still a few others who take no thought of the morrow , as noon as their pension comes , ask for a thirty day furlough , go away and xtay away while the money lasts , which la usually lest ; than a week , and then return and settle down to the old routine. On Inquiry It was found that the homo shelters eighty-nine pensioners In all. Out of the total number of members forty draw less than $3 per month , and many of the forty nothing. CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES , Under the present administration of state affairs , successful bidders ( or furnishing supplies tor the Institution are required to deliver alt tbo good * enumerated In tha con tract at the prlco stated. There Is no dodg. Ing as formerly. Heretofore a bidder would take the list and muku a prlco on thosa articles least used and which represented but a kmall amount of money , away below the actual value , and on the moro staple articles , representing moro money , and of which largo quantities were needed , u higher figure. l > 'or Instance a certain contractor put a prlco on nutmegs which was lower than the wooden Green mountain articla could have been delivered for , supposing ot course that but few would be called for , but ho thought Itiia quite a spicy joke when * , Governor Crounso ordered the entire lol de livered at once , The consequence Is the stata owns a supply of nutmegs at a mere nomi nal price. So rigid Is this rule that the commandment of the homo is obliged to malto special requisition when any small article Is wanted which Is not covered by the con tract. If It Is merely marking tags for the laundry , Involving an outlay of only a few dollars or cents , a requisition must bo .sub mitted to the board of purchasa and HUP- plICH , and If approved the name must lip at tached to the voucher , and all articles pur chased under the regular contract are com pared with a copy In the hands of the board before approved. The cost per capita for Inmates of tha homo for the last half of 1893 , which purled cjmo wholly under the prout administra tion , was $140,07 , whllo for the first half ot the same year the cost per capita was $180.10. From figures not avallablu at the present tlmo It Is known that thu jicr capita cost will bo still furthir mlucod In 1891 , It should bo berne In mind that this re duction Is not duo to parsimony or made at HIP expense of the comfort ot the Inmates ot the home , but ID simply and strictly the result of the application of moro Irlgld business principles. Fifty 1'oot of Itulnfull AnntmHy. There Is always moro or less guesswork concerning the amount of rain that falls dur ing any storm period , says the St. Louis lU'publlc. Throughout the United States the amount that falls on any ono day rarely ox- cecds onu 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 4,600 feet , 610 Inches of rainfall have been registered In a single year , of which amount 117 inches (13 ( feet 3 Inches ) fell In the month ot Juno , At n meteorological station In latitude 18 , near the western boundary of Hlndoostan , the average rainfall for the fifteen years end ing with 1S93 was 25i Inchea. In the northwestern part of England , at an altitude of 1,300 feet , the average an nual rainfall Is lid Inches , 111 Inches In oxsess ot the mean for St. Louis , which Is but thirty-seven Indies and u fraction. The wonderful record given above Is still moro phenomenal when wo consider the fact that all the moisture the atmosphere U capableof holding at any ono tlmo would cover the entire surface of the globate to a depth ot I'-an than tour Inchett should It all bo Instantly precipitated.