A few minutes later a funeral of some old soldier passed. There were several coaches, and then a post of Grand Army men. The sight was a sad one to Richard.
"My father was a soldier," he said to his companion. "He was shot, too," he added, with a sigh.
"Yes?" said Frank. "Then your mother gets a pension," he added, after a pause.
"No, she does not. She ought to have one, but we cannot get our claim passed. My father let it rest so long that when he did try he could find no witness."
And Richard related the full particulars of the case. Frank Massanet listened attentively.
"I think, as your sister Grace says, I'd turn the whole country upside down before I'd give up the hope of finding a witness," he said. "Why, it would amount to several thousand dollars! A small fortune!"
"I'm going to try as soon as I get settled," replied Richard. "I haven't any money to do anything with yet."
"I'd advertise as soon as I could afford it," suggested Frank. "And I'd write to the secretaries of all these old soldiers' organizations, too, giving your father's full name and what he belonged to."
"That's a good idea," exclaimed Richard. "I'll do that this week. I have plenty of time in the evening, and can get the addresses from the directory."