Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-05-23
THE MAN AND THE TABLE.

Translated from The Morning POST" StugguTdt,
for its nanicsakc OF Boston,.
A poor simple man possessed nothing
but sick wife, six small helpless children.
Il pine table. and black dress rather the
worse for wear. He had made every ef.
fort of which he was capable, to support his
iany-but, as his abilities we've small aud
he had no money, his efforts were unsuc.
cessiul. He consequent. complained o.
iorluue, which is usually made responsible
for i'll success. His wife complained and
suffered, his children tasted and cried, and
he rested his elbows on his table and medi.
tsted. Thus, day utter day, the family pas
sed their time.
This man had but one earthly passion
one wish, one fixed idea aud that was t.
get into Office. After ten long years Of So
iIcilallon. he had rs yet received no ap
pointment. For all his pains he had nc.
CURED nothing but II pretty thorough know.
ledge of all The administration localities.
I lie could have gone from the poiter's lodge
to The private cabinet OF the minister blind.
folded.
On one occasion, about day break---hc
had moi been able to close his eyes the whole
nghl-he leaped with the energy of sudden
resolution, from hls miserable bed. His
poor wife, fearing that hunger had disturb.
ed his reason, followed all his movements
wi h anxious eyes. His first step was care.
fully 10 brush and arrange in the best pos.
slble order, his denying suit Of black -
lie next shaved himself with degree o.
care and attention quite unusual with him
Having finished dressing, he proceeded To
walk back and folh in his hile chamber,
| apparently absorbed IN the most profound
reflection. When the clock struck nine, he
seized his pine table, examined il TO see ii
it was in good condition, took it upon his
shoulders and went forth. His wife con
cludcd that he intended to sell it. and the
hope thus inspired of being able to provide
| :. Little food for her children, lighted up her
pale countenance with melancholy smile.
Half an hour later, the Swiss sentinel n,
the gaze Of the Minister'S hotel encounter.
cd man in a black dress, and bearing q
iable on his shoulders. Surprising him to
be mechanic bringing home Il table he
had been ordered to make, the sentinel per.
mltted him 10 pass unquesiioncd The
clerk of one of the bureaux, who were
ra.her new and inexperienced IN their Off.
ces, Likewise observed, without nlistrust, a
new conner among them. He had taken
the procnulion to bring his table with him.
which he sat down in a corner where 1t
would discommode no one, drew an ink
stand from his pocket, appropriated an emp
] ty chair, and seated himself in an import.
ant and busy air. Soon little bel was
heard to ring. The stranger Immediately
started from his seat, proceeded through the
two adjoining rooms like one who was suf.
fcently familiar with the premises, opened
the door of one Of the cabinets, and with a
low bow, respectfully asked: "What u
wanting, Herr Director7" IL did not wish
to speak with you, but with Louis" "Louis
has gone out, and therefore came" "Do
YOU know where the bureau of the army
paymaster isl" "Perlecfly well, Herr Dl-
rector" go and request him TO come to
me this forenoon"
At every sound of the bell he continued
10 evince the same zeal. Before his com.
rades had time to move, he was always hal
wnv 10 the room whence tho sound came
The question was indeed often asked among
! his comrades what sort of situation the
new conner held--butihs latter was so com
PLEASANT, obiiging, land active in the discharge
Of every duty, that they suffered him to ~
OH without interruption, while they were
consequently left at leisure. He soon be-
came general favoritc, and no one ofthcn
any longer troubled himself to learn his
origin or the nature of his employment.
But the Director. great lover Of order
al length became curious 10 know who this
new employer could be, whose name die
NOT appear on the list; and the poor man
was obliged to undergo much questioning
"Who are youf" "Herr Director, an