Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-11-15
Patience and Perseverance.

When Hannibal Hamlin WAS in
stalled as Collector at Boston, he
found, as collectors had found in all
times before him, an avalanche of
applications for Office in the Custom
house. The hardest thing for Han.
Hamlin to do is to say "No" to a
friend, Ia genial, fun-loving, big
hearted man, he is never so well
contented as when able to make all
happy and c0ntcnted about him.
and when he found scores of appli-
cations fol. every place be had to
give, he was excessively frcttcd.
One day, John Pullman, quiet,
unobtrusiye young man, with bang
up recommendation, and who had
done his share of work at primary
political meetings, ventured to call
upon the Collector to know if his
application for an Office could not
be favorably considered. He was
a good accountant, q ready penman
clear headed in business, and nu-
merous responsible men had avouch-
ed for his honor and iategrity.
'The only place possibly vacant
said the Collector, "is not a first,
class otiicc. If you thought that
worth your acceptance, | might give
it to YOU"
Pullman thankfully nodded, and
Signitied that he would accept.
'But," said Hamlin, with comi-
cal leer. ~ don't like to be making
frequent changes. If you take this
place, do You think You will stick?"
"If the duty is within the scope
of my ability-ycs, sir"
Ilamlin wrote the oit-repcatcd
note to the keeper, and the
youth took it, and went his way.
Now John Pullman had expected
clerkship worth at least twelve
hundred dollars per annnm, and he
was not Il little taken aback when
he discovered that he had been
only appointed u Light Weight
Mover" upon salary of seven
hundred and fifty dollars. In short,
his position was among those UNI
kempt sons of tail who trundle bar
rows, and are ycleft "laborcrs."
But John Pullman was not to be
SO easily crushed out. He scratched
his head, and meditatcd. Ike saw
the point at once.
elias this place been rendered 20
anybody before me?" he asked.
eyes," answed the Colonel. ga
dozen, at least, have looked at it,
and let it drop, within two weeks
every well,'' said Pullman, shut
ting his mouth hard, swell see! |
told the Collector I'd stick, and |
will. He won't get rid of me in
that way"
"Then you'll go at work."
eyes"
The Colonel liked the young mans
grit, and was inclined to favor him;
yet John Pullman pulled off his coat
of broadcloth and went at work.
He took n barrow, and made turn
around the store-room. During the
remainder of that day he made him
self generally useful, and on the
following morning he was at his
post in due season.
AT the expiration of about a
month, as Jack Pullman stood at
the window of the Office of the De
livery Clerk, he saw the Collector
coming across the street from the
Custom-house.
"Good-morning, Mr.. Hamlin?"
Hamlin stopped, and beheld y
young man in his shirt sleeves, with
a barrow, and on the barrow a bale
Of goods; and the young man was
nodding and smiling in Il friendly,
cheerful way"
Han. llamlin never forgets face
nor is he apt to forget name which
he has once heard. He recognized
the youth, and smiled back.
"Pullman, is this you?"
eyes, SIR" said the light weight
mover, dropping the barrow, and
taking the Collectors extended
hand. "You didn't expect to find
me hcre?"
"Well-no,-I hardly thought You
would stick"
'But have, sir; and l hope. if !
stick long enough, | may f"ho root
and groac."
Hamlin laughed heartily, and a
few moments later he was in close
confab with the Store-kecper.
That was on Wednesday. On
the following Monday morning John
Pullman received 4 note from the
Collector informing him that he
had been appointed to a responsible
and important clerkship.