, with a card inviting the
family to take possession at once, and remain as long as they chose.

I can not describe the scene that followed; there were tears and broken
voices; suffice to say, the members of that household were made happy
and comfortable for many long months; and I venture to assert that those
now living recall those days with the fondest recollections.

The contributions to the general committee had been so liberal that it
was possible to erect and provide for the great burial-place of its
dead--"Grand View," that overlooks the city. It was also suggested that
a benevolent society, as a permanent institution, be formed by the
united action of the general committee and the Red Cross. This was
successfully accomplished by the generous provision of eight thousand
dollars from the committee on its part and the turning over of our
well-made and supplied hospital buildings, and the funds we had left
placed in charge of a faithful custodian under our pay for the following
six months.

This is the present "Union Benevolent Society" of Johnstown to-day.

I remained five months with these people without once visiting my own
home, only returning to it when the frost had killed the green I had
left in May.

In that time, it was estimated, we had housed, handled, and distributed
$211,000 worth of supplies--new and old--for, by request of the weary
chairman of the general committee, at the last, we took up the close of
its distribution. It is our joy and pride to recall how closely we
worked in connection with that honored committee from first to last, and
how strong and unsullied that friendship has remained.

The value of money that passed through our hands was $39,000, as stated
in the official report of the general committee, to which all required
returns were made, recorded, and published by the committee.

Our usual quota of assistants was fifty persons, the higher grade of men
and women assistants largely volunteers. Two railroads brought our
supplies. To handle these the strongest men were required, and seven
two-horse teams ran daily for three and a half months in the
distribution, at customary rates of pay. These were the workingmen of
the town who had suffered with the rest.

It was a joy that in all the uncertainties of that uncertain field not a
single complaint ever reached us of the non-acknowledgment of a dollar
entrusted to us.

The paths of charity are over roadways of ashes; and he who w