The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-09
A friend told me of an old gentleman

A friend told me of an old gentleman
from Cincinnati, Mr.. B., a most ami
able, helpless old man, who had with the
tide come on to Washington, on General
HarrisOn's election, to get an office.
81 found him." said my friend, "grind-
ing over the gravel between the Presi-
dents house and the departments, wear
ing out his shoes and looking seedier and
seedier. He seemed to avoid me. At last,
one day, I stepped him, and asked him
how he was getting along?"
81 am not getting along at ALL" he
said."
"Why not ?" asked my friend.
because, sir, the claims of the friends
of General Harrison are not recognized !;
strangers and interlopers crowd in here
and get everything. The loaves and fishes
are all for them"
"What recommendations have you? "
asked my friend.
"Look at this, sir!" said Mr.. B., pro-
ducing worn letter from his pocket
wrapped in bit of brown paper
1t was simply an endorsement on the
back of some of Mr.. B. friends for an
Office from General Harrison, in which he
| said:
"Mr. B. is an old and valued friend of mine,
| and should be gratified if any Of the heads of
the departments should give him employ
| ment. w. H. HARRISON"
"There, sir :" exclaimed Mr.. B., "what
do you think of that? How many of these
fellows who are getting of6ces-fat offices
can claim one on the endorsement of
Gen. Harrison of being an old and valued
friend of his?"
"True," said my friend, "but I expect
that Gen. Harrison has endorsed hundreds
of applications in those very words-I at
| least know of half dozen who have got
| nothing"
"With this endorsement? exclaimed
Mr.. B.
"With that endorsement! whispered
my friend.
"What shall l do ?" exclaimed Mr.. B.
in despair
"Have you any friend-a member of
Congress, here, Or a senator, who has in
| fluence?"
81 have one, "said Mr.. B.
"Well then, spend your last dollar in
getting hack and taking him to the de-
partments, until he gets at least the prom
Use of place for you from one of the Sec
| retaries.'
Mr.. B. departed to follow this advice.
A few days afterwards he saw him looking
spry and sharp, when Mr.. B. accosted him
and thanked him very gratefully, saying
that his friend the member, had got him
put on the contingent fund at a salary of
three dollars per diem, with the promise of
a permanent place.
HOW TO KEEP IN OFFICE
Not many weeks after this my friend
found Mr.. B. looking very much down in
the mouth.
Chow do you come on ?" said he.
81 don't come on at all, sir; am out
of Office
"Out of office! What, has the contin-
gent fund given out? ?"
81 don't know anything about the con-
tingent fund.-" said Mr.. B. "but 1 spent
my whole time copying letters that the
chief clerk gave me, and when took him
the last copied, he said he had nothing
more for me to do, and l took the hint-a
pretty broad one-and left"
"Left Why, my dear sir, go and see
your friend, the NJ. c., and save yourself.
Put back all the contingent fund, and don't
you let your letters ever give out; keep
one on your desk uncopied until you get
another; wait for the contingent fund to
give out"
Net long afterwards my friend entered
the library room in one of the depart
ments, and there he beheld Mr.. B., pen,
ink, and paper, and with letter on his
desk, aid he with his feet against the
wall, high up by the mantle-piece, reading
the mornings paper.
81 am glad to see you back" said my
friend accosting him.
81 am glad to be back" exclaimed Mr..
B. rising and shaking him warmly by the
hand. "I'm much obliged to you. Do
you see that letter there!" Cpointing to
one on his table, I" It is not copied yet.
I'm waiting on the contingent fund.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BANTAM.
And then the removals and appoint
ments to Office, how are they too often
made!
The honorable George Washington Ban
tam, from Buncombe, arrived in Washing
ton in full feather. Bantam has just been
elected by an overwhelming majority. On
the crest of the wave he has reahced the
capital. Hurrah for Bantam. He is Of
tho opinion that he has the world in q
sling. He is welcomed by all parties as
dashing, bold, clever fellow. They like
him about the hotels, for he spends his
money freely. Old Foy said good thing
once of General Dawson, of louisiana
Foy kept the saloon in the capital. The
General was very dressy man. His fin.
gers were full of rings. He wore brilliant
breast-pins, &c., and never took chance
from Foy when he threw down quarter
| 1o1low To- ooSH o< hs,-,