Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-26
WRITTEN FOR THE STAR.
SHORT CHAPTER In THE HISTORY
sEF OF AN OFFICE SEEKER
ICONTINUED.l

UT AN VI SEEhEh.
IcoSTNUED.
The holidays were soon over, as everything
else Is In this transtOry sphere, and Nebat
brimful of pleasing anticipations, spent his
money and enjoyed himself to his hearts con-
tent; his little stock of cash had between his
bill and extras dwindled down to few dol
lars, and he was therefore forced to leave his
comfortable quarters at the hotel and hire an
apartment IN an obscure boarding house on
the Avenue A man will learn a deal of ex-
perlence IN Washington, even in the short
space of a month, and poor Nebat began to
comprehend that he was but one of a hundred
expectants for Office; but naturally enough
imagined himself the favored one, his faith in
Hon. Richilieu Gass was unshaken-he had
been promised twice, and Riehilieu Gass $50
the world saidl was man of integrity and
truth. r--.---..
Nebat waited patiently two or three days
after the resumption Of the Congressional ses-
sion, and receiving no note As relied on, grew
restless, and finally called. Ho was not in, the
next day II was the same thing, and the next
With some misgivings Nebat betook himself
the following morning to the House" Judge
Gass, 80 the page said, - was very busy and
wouldn't he please excuse him." Disappointed
and sick mt heart, he went back to his board
ing-hOuse and amused himself with watching
gay groups traversing the avenue, till evening
came, then he walked over to Gass's lodgings
and rang the bell-as usual, not inn How
Inoiking the negro stared at him, and then un-
ceremoniously slammed the door in his faceI
Nebat sat himself discOnsola tety on the stoop
the truth began to fash upon him undisguised
by partiality, Richileu Gass was deceiving him
Ii was obvious IF he had only told me at the
first, groaned the unhappy ofice-seeker; ''that
he never intended to cancel the obligation, no
would have given me opportunity of leav-
ing the city before il was too late; but nv mo-
ney Is gone. and how can leave this cursed
place. Better, far better would il have been
for me If His sOlilOquy was here inter
rupted by the front door opening, and who
should pop out but the Hon. Richilieu Gass
himself. Happily for that gentleman's con-
science, if he had any, he did not recognise his
dear friend" Nebat, but hurrying onward.
leaving him to a continuation of his reflections
BY no means of the pleasantest kind
Nebat did not go to bed that evening, bat
penned several letters to the honorable mem
Der, half Of them defiant and the remainder
supPlicatory; ended by burning the whole and
writing another which pleased him better. 1t
dealt with much earnestness on his claims and
the manner in which he had been treated, re-
verted to his limited finances, and concluded
with dignifed appeal. About one o clock the
next day an answer came
- Mr.. Nebat will do me the favor of calling
at my lodgings tomorrow at ten O'Clock pre-
eiseIy. RGAss, NJ. C.i'
Nebat did not fail to be there by the hour
indicated, and having sent up his card, follow
bat, my dear sir, was that gentlemans greet
ing, 1t seems have unintentionally wounded
your feelings. Pray allow me to express my
regrets. l regret very much to know that you
entertain such mistaken impression of my
character. lou are too sensitive, Mr.. Nebat
and to assure you that your unkind suspicious
are utterly unfounded, l will confess it has been
my intention from the first to assist you
The Ofice-seeker bowed.
- / have been 50 oppressed, however" con-
81.
hand across his forehead with an air of melan-
ehOly resignation as scarcely to afford a min
ute to myself - We public men have so much
to think of as to generally distract our minds
from little matters. Let me see. You was
wanting elerkship, or something of that sort 20
Nebat's eyes sparkled affirmatiyely.
- Can you write good hand ?''
"Oh, Of course '" was the Ofiee-seeker's re-
ply.
We'll then" said Gass, abstractedly- ga
zing at the ceiling. . Yes, yes Let Inc see -
And, turning to his table. he dipped his pen
careIessIy in his inkstand, and, with congress
sionnl dexterity. scribbled note. Handing il
to him, the member remarked:
This is a letter of introduction to my es-
pecial friend, Col Grabb head Of the &c, &c,
once. You will please hand it to him. The
Colonel will do the work
And Nebat was bowed out Of the apartment
before he could return his thanks
The note ran as follows:
Mas. CALLS, TNesdGY Morning, !
January - l34-. (
Colonel Allow me 10 introduce to you my
worthy young friend Mr.. Israel Nebat, who
desires me to recommend him to any vacancy
YOU may have in your immediate bureau. 1t
would crafty me TO see him employed, as he
is rsTy poor.
Hoping you will excuse the liberty have
thus taken, remain, Colonel, with many apol-
Ogies, your very Obedient
RICHELIEU GAss, NC
To the Hon. Felix Grabb. &c, &c
1t was we'll for the feelings of the poor Office
seeker that the above note was sealed. as it
spared him some heart burnings, but Nebat
without stopping to pry into its contents. lost
no time in hasting away to the Office of the
Commissioner and after few formsIities was
admitted into his august presence.
A solemn-faced, close-shaved parsonage
looked up inquiringly, from his desk. Mr.
Nebat sir" said the Ofice-seeker with an in
trcductory bow. Take n seat, Mr.. Nebat, "
replied the Official coldly cycling him through
his speetacles receiving the note which Nehat
eagerly stretched forth, he proceeded to pc
ruse il in very deliberate manner, pausng
once or twice 10 stare at the subject of its con-
tents As he finished his double inspection his
face grew sterner and sterner and slowly fold
ing the note he remarked
my dear sir, we have hundreds of such
recommendations as this daily. / very much
regret that it is entirely out Of my power to
give you any employment
Nebat's heart, innocent as hopeful, sank
within him, and the Commissioner, in the same
chilling tone, continued
There is no vacancy Of any kind whatever.
will. however, to oblige Mr.. GAS, place this
letter on the hle Of applications for future ref
erence; you are fayorably considered. =" The
Commissioner resumed his pen.
Can you tell me, began the ofice-secker-
Mr.. Grabb laid down the quill with the air
of an annoyed man
Did you address yourself to me, sir ?"
Il was going TO say" replied Nebat rather
hesitstingly-
II have no time, SIR" impatiently inter-
rupted the Commissioner waving his hand with
magnificent grandeur, - not the least.
Israel Nebat Indignantly retired, sick at
heart, and disguised with all the world; his
his eyes were opened, the veil drawn away
and he now felt and ssw all bitterly he up
braided himself for his foolish extravaganza in
sIuandering money that would have enabled
him to leave the city; but he had already cut
Ill T. L. DnEh