The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-19
--f From the Boston Traveller. --i3I
RUSTY SEEKS AN OFFICE
By THE YOUNG 'UN.

Mr.. Richard Rusty desired an Office under
the new administration, and he went to
Washington to get it. |
At home, Rusty was known as plain
Dick" Dick Rusty-high private in the
Volunteer Minute Guard" at Squam. g,
Dick Rusty had lied his seven dollar
coat severely, bearing torch in the Wide
Awake PROFESSIONS ,-he had served as under
Secretary to the town and county conven-
tions, he was the very, first man, in his
neighborhood, who had thought of " Old
Abe" for President, and he determined to
be " counted in," sure, after the inaugura~
tion. And so, carpet-bag in hand, one fine
morning recently, be found himself jogging
up Pennsylvania Avenue, in the great city
of " vultures, hacks and magnificent dis
tances." -'t-
Washington is very nice place! Dick
had his "papers" with him-to wit, few
badly spelled and worse written vouchers
for his good character and "sterling" DO.
litical principles, and knowing himself lin
his own esteem) sound on the goose, upon
reaching Washington he said in for the lit
tie government Office he coveted in his
native town.
Having carefully enveloped his credeu-
tials, he started them to the Department to
which they were addressed, and triumphant
ly sat himself down in the garret-room of
his boarding house, to await an answer
from the Hon. Secretary. And thus he
waited.
One day-two, three, 6ve-a week,
expired. But no reply by post, as he had
expected Now, this was very singular
circumstance, lin Mr.. Rusty's opinion) and
the delay very unusual, in his experience.
Indeed, after time, it came to look very
much like a slight toward him. What
could it mean? He wrote to inquire why
his little matter" had not been attended
He got no reply to this, either Again
he addressed the Department upon the
same subject. But he received no answer.
This was an outrage. Whereupon, having
waited another week, be determined, vali-
antly, to " know the reason why"
Mr.. Rusty had not omitted to stir up the
Hon. Representative from his District, (who
assured him he would "look into his case, y
and then he waited once more. He found
the County Editor, too, who chanced to be
also an applicant for place, and he prom
ised to attend to Mr.. Rusty directly. And
again be waited. Still, no reply. And
thus four weeks run on, and Rusty money
run out.
Astonished, and exasperated, be started
at length for the Department in person.
He found at least six hundred persons there,
before him, all religiously bent upon an
errand similar to his own. He waited six
mortal hours in the great windy passage
way, where be was squeezed, and elbowed,
and jammed, and nearly sufocated /; but
still he struggled for his "turn."o He got
sight of the inner door just in season to see
the Honorable Secretary emerge and pass
out to his carriage, for home. Business
was over for the day, and the mob rushed
down the stairs and retired.
But Richard Rusty, of Squam, was q
man of business SO he followed up his OBJ.
ject next day, and the next. and the next.
At last he succeeded in getting inside, where
the following colloquy ensued: div gasi
"Good morning, Mr.. Secretary" says
Rusty, confidently; and be grasped the
Secretary,s hand like q "Son of Malta" who
has passed his twenty >thirdo degree. 9di COOS