The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-17
SELECTIONS.
Gen. Jackson and his Clerk.

While Gen. Jackson was President OF the
United States, he was tormented day alter day
by importunate visitors (as most chief magis-
trates of this great country are whom he did
not care to see-and in consequence gave
strict directions TO the messenger at the door
to admit only certain persons on particular
day, when he was more busy With State affairs
than usual.
In spite of the peremptory orders, however,
the attendant bolted into the apartment dur
ing the afternoon, and informed the General
that person was outside whom he could not
controls and who claimed TO see him, orders
or no orders.
II won't submit to this annoyance" exclaim-
ed the old gentleman nervously. "Who is
it2"
Don't know, SIR
"Don't know What's his name ?"
"His name Beg pardon, sir; it's wo-
man."
"a womanl Show her in" said the Presi-
dent wiping his face, and in the next mo-
ment there entered the Generals apartment
a neatly clad female of past the middle age,
who advanced courteously toward the old
gentleman and accepted the chair offered
her
"Be seated, madam" he said.
"Thank you," said the lady, throwing aside
her veil, revealing handsome face to her en-
tertainer.
"My mission hither to day, General" contin-
ued the fair speaker, sis novel one, and you
can aid me, perhaps"
"Madame," said the General, command
me-
"You are very kind, sir. l am poor wo-
man, General"
"Poverty Is no crime, madam"
"No, sir. But have little family TO care
form widow, sir, and clerk employed in
one of the departments ofyour administration
L IL 40 f.rk aar L.
amount, which / cannot collect. / need the
money badly, and came 10 ask If portion Of
his pay cannot be stopped from time to time,
until this claim of mine, an honest one, Gen
eral, of which he had the full value, shall be
cancelled"
II reslly-madam- is, have no con-
troll In that way. What is the amount of the
bin?"
Seventy dollars, sir; here it ISL
Exactly, | see; and his salary, mad
amp"
at is said to be $1,000 year"
"And not pay his board bill ?"
"As you see, sir; this has been standing I've
months unpaid. Three days hence he will
draw his monthly pay, and / thought, sir, you
would be kind enough to"
"Yes, have it. Go to him again and get
his note at thirty days"
His note, sir! 1t wouldn't be worth the pa
per on which it was written; he pays no one
dollar Voluntarily"
"But he will give you his note, will he not,
madam"
"Oh, yes, he would be glad TO have respite
that way for month, no doubt"
"That's right, then. Go to him and obtain
his note, at 80 days from to-day; give him a
receipt in full, and come to me this even
ing"
The lady departed, called upon the young
lark, and dunned him for The amount; at which
he only smiled, and she finally asked him for
his note.
"To be sure, said he, with a chuckle; "give
note? Sart'n, and much good may il do you
num-"
"You'll pay it whenit falls due, won't you ?"
said the lady.
20, certainly" was the reply.
In the evening she again repaired to the
White House with the note. The Presl-
dent put his broad endorsement on the back
and directed her to obtain the cash at the
bank.
In due time notice was sent to the clerk
that a note signed by him would be due
particular day, which he was requested TO
pay.
At first John could not conceive the source
from whence the demand came; and suppos-
half esoveP u llssq n LEFT for collection was
he passed down the avenue, the unpaid board
bill suddenly entered his head
who has been foolish enough to help the
old woman in this business, wonder" said
John to himself an go and see. It's a
hum, know; but I'd like to know if she's
really fooled anybody with that bit of paper"
and, entering the bank, he asked for the note
which had been left there for collection against
him.
ut was discounted" said the teller
discounted! who in the world will discount
my note ?" asked John
Anybody with such hacker as you've got
on this"
"BackerP me-backer-who?
Here's the note; You can see," said the
teller, handing him the document, on which he
recognized the bold signature OF President
jackson.
"Sold, trulyp exclaimed John, with a
hysieric gasp, and drawing forth the money,
for he saw through the arrangement at a
glance.
The note was paid ofconrse, and Justice was
awarded the spendthrift at once.
On the next morning he found upon his desk
anote which contained the follow wing bit of per-
sonal intelligence:
'SIR:-A change has been made ia your
Office. am directed by the President to
inform you that your services will no long
er be needed in this department. Yours,
ETC.,
John Smith retired 10 private life at once,