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.
