The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-04-23
.Illnr the Pre.ideal Be |. vaiting.

telling the President he Is waiting. "The
President is engaged" answers the man,
rather shortly. Before Mr.. Smith can say
more be is hustled away BY seventeen geo.
tlemen, each anxious to know when his owe
turn is coming. They bear and go pacing
up and down again. What u noise! Full
enc hundred boots tramping up and down
in eeaseless foot. falls. Men can't sit still
waiting in suspense. They must keep in
motion. Mr.. Smith thinks be never saw SO
much walking. Hardly two gentlemen
walked in pairs. Every man seemed to
paee up and down alone, and to be shy Of
his neighbor. Doubtless all were strangers
to each other. aud felt that the presence OF
the rest interfered with their own success
and prospects Of audience. Mr.. Smith
thought they all wore seowl aud had a
sheepish look. After waiting an hour, he
begins to feel sheepish hiG.self. He feels
it is beneath his dignity to be dancing at
tendance this way--he, free American!
He has seen full score admitted one by
one. It 10 fast approaching one O'Clock.
He sees man about to go in his turn, when
three Members Of Congress appear, and the
man is gently put back, and the members
admitted. "Wby is this!" he. 6ercely de-
mands. members Of Congress always
have precedence Of all who 60 in by card,
sir" answered the attendant. Mr.. Smith
signs ut this new obstacle. His fancy con.
ceivesa continued procession Of NJ. C.'s
calling on the President. Mr. Smith goes
away at one o'clock, his card the thirty
fourth on the list. "Come again Tomorrow
says the patient attendant.
The next day he is at his post with four
score more. But it is committee day.
and the Pre.ident is closeted with the de
tailing committees from the Senate or House
from ten to one. Not a soul is admitted by
card: After three weeks, Mr.. Smith sees the
President to be told "to leave his papers and
they will be examined" He wsts three
weeks more in the ante room to get a sec.
Ond interview with the President, to ask
him If he has "examined bis papers," The
President refers him to the proper depart
menr, where his papers have been sent. II
takes him thirty three days Of heel kicking
in the Secretary's ante-room before he cau
get an audience with this great man. Five
times his bill. has been made out and lad OF
his dressing table. AT length, in despair, HI
waylays the Secretary as he is stepping in
to his carriage. 4"Oh, oh, Mr.. John Smith
True, sir! Yes, your papers have been ex
tamtned, and they are perfectly satisfactory
But" A''''
| "Perfcctly satisfactory, sir! I am dc
lightedr' exclaimed Mr.. Smith, with cx
quisite happiness.
"But l am sorry to say that the Office yo
seek is not vacant. 1t is our determinatio
to retain the present incumbent. Goo
norning Mr. Smith" ..-...
Mr. Smith looks after the Secretary
carriage as it rolls away. His eyes are di'
with tears. He thinks of bis debt at Gads
by's incurred on hope; Of the borrowed mon
ey on which be came to Washington. to b
paid on his return; OF his wife and children
aud the next moraing MIR. Smiths body
found in Goose river!
The coroner's inquest reported, "death b
drowning." The Recording Angel record
"death by Office seeking" ........ss