Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-06
Gen. Jackson and His Clerk.

lille NCncral jackson was ITcslueut OF
The United States, be was tormented day after
Jay by importunatc visitors las most chief
magistrates are) whom he did not care to see,
and in consequence gave strict directions to
the messenger at the door to admit only GER
tain persons on a particular day, when he was
more busy with state affairs than usual
In spite of the peremptory orders, however, :
the attendant bolted into his apartment dur
ing the afternoon, aud informed the General 7.
that person was outside whom he could not
control, aud who claimed to see him, orders
or no orders.
81 won't submit to this annoyance" ex-
claimed the old gentleman ncryously. "Who
is it2"
Don't know, sir"
Don't know What is his name2'
His name? Beg pardon, sir, it's a
woman
"a woman show her in" said the Presi.
dent, wiping his face and the next moment
there entered the Generals apartment a neat
ly clad female past the middle age, who ad-
vanced courteously toward the old gentleman,
and accepted the chair offered her
" Be seated, madam" he said.
Thank you" replied the lady, throwing
aside her veil, revealing handsome face to
her entertainer.
"My mission hither to-day, General, con-
tinued the fair speaker, 4" is a novel one, and
you can aid me, perhaps"
Madam" said the General, command
me-"
"You are very kind, sir. am poor
woman General"
=" Poverty is no crime madam
4" No, sir; but | have little family to
care for-Im widow, sir, and the clerk
employed in one Of the departments Of your
administration is indebted to me for board to
considerable amount, which | cannot col
lect | need the money badly, and came to
ask if portion Of his pay cannot be stopped
from time to time, until this claim Of mine
an honest one, General, Of which he had the
full value, shall be cancelled"
al roally--madam- is | have no
control in that way. What is the amount Of
the bill y
"Seyenty dollars, sir here it is"
Exactly, see and bis salary, madam ?"
1t is said to be 81 200 year"
"And not pay his board bill?"
AS you see, sir this has been standing
Eve months unpaid. Three days hence he
will draw his monthly pay, and thought, sir,
if you would be kind enough to-"
Yes, | have it. Go to him and get his
note at thirty days"
=" His note, sir 1t wouldn't be worth the
paper on which it is written; he pays no one
a dollar voluntarily
But he will give his note, will he not,
madam? ?"
"Oh, yes, he would be glad to have res
pite that way for a month, no doubt"
That's right, then, Go to him and OBJ
tain his note, at thirty days from to-day
give him a receipt in full, and come to me
this evening"
The lady departed, called upon the young
clerk and dunned him for the amount at
which he only smiled, as she finally asked
him for his note
To be sure" said he, with a chuckle.
"Give a note Sartn and much good may
it do you, mum"
you'll pay it when it falls due, won't
you" said the lady.
Oh, certainly" was the reply.
In the evening she again repaired to the
White House with the note. The President
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 on a
particular day. and he was requested to pay.
At first John could not conceive the source
from whence the demand came and suppos-
ing it had been left for collection, was hall
resolved to take no notice of it. But, as he
passed down the avenue, the unpaid board
bill suddenly entered his head.
% Whn has haon foolish anou1h IN ha1p Az
old woman 10 this business, | wonder ?" said
hum, know; but Ia like to know if she
really fooled any body with that bit of paper,
and, entering the bank he asked for the note
which had been left for collection against
him.
1" II was discounted, said the teller.
Discounted who in the world will dis
count my note ?" asked John.
Anybody with such a hacker as you've
got on this"
/" Backer me--backer-who 2"
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, truly !" exclaimed John, with !
hysieric gasp, and he drew forth the money
for he saw through the arrangement at a
glance.
The note was paid Of course, and justice
was awarded the spendthrilt at once
On the next morning be found upon his
desk note which contained the following bit
Of personal intelligence;
"Sm;-A change has been made 10 your
Office. | am directed by the President to in
form you that your services will no longer be
needed in this department.
Yours, ETC.,