Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-01-20
An Open Letter From Miss Brown of
the Treasury Department.

RetOced &u:-During last summer, when
the clerks of all other departments and diyi-
siOns were enjoying their well-earned vaca-
ton, we of the Redemption Division hal the
privilege of working extra hours-without
receiving extra compensation, mind, al
though in case of absence our pay Suffers:--and
now. since the redemption of national bank
notes has doubled our work, the extra hour,
daily, has become chronic complaint. Yes
even the half holidays. granted to other
clerks. were but a FttG MoTgdHu in our case:
and in spite of all the philosophy brought to
bear upon the subject the enjoyment OF this
sort of distinction is getting TO be Just the
least bit mOnOtonOus, and we are perfectly
willing TO share the honor of saving The cOun-
try from financial ruin in this manner with
somebody else.
Last fall. when the Growing of all kinds of
democratic roOsters made the swallowing of
large dose of economy absolutely neceS-
sary, we felt it in our bones that, as usual. the
largest portion of the panacea would fall to
those stationed on the lower rungs of the civil
service ladder, and made up our minds 10
swallow our share without winkng. But in
spite of this heroic resolve the overdose fall
ing to our share has proved almost too strong
for our constitutions, and has caused more
downright falling from grace in mild way
than any one, not throughly acquainted with
our gentle ladies', can imagine.
And no wonder that long-suneTing patience
should fail at last, when il is remembered
that. through adding another hour of severe
mental labor, when eyes and brain are weary
with the strain of the regular days work. the
risk of passing cOunter1eitS or committing
errors in count-whch plays the very mis-
chief with our salaries-is increased ten-fold.
Why. the idea that we and We only. should
be selected 10 carry out the saving system Of
economy" and should De compelled 10
smooth down the ragged edges of despairing
currency, while our benign masters were en-
jOying their recess at home among all the good
things which Santa Claus brings 20 all good
NJ. C.s, was enough 10 make uS believe our
mlnce pies made Of Sawdust and dead felineS:
and we used to lie awake nights, trying 10
find n suitable name for the proceeding, until
visitOr-a gentleman from Maryland, my
Mary yland,n whose name has Senator for a
prefx-eaTned our everlasting gratitude and
did ii justice. by calling it q id outrage"
Like the pious Quaker gentleman, who
wanted somebody to ID that mouse" when
IL kept him awake at night with its gnaw
ing, we felt happy when said fine old gentle
man expressed our sent .nentS in dictionary
style-shOrt and to the point-and have since
then set our poor little brains 10 work to dis
cover some method by which economy can
flourish like q Madeira vine, and vet the
business of the office run on with as much
regularity as an avenue ear on ippery
morning; for SlackneSS and circumlOcUtion
in office matters is held one of the deadly sins
by Gen Spinner, and must not be thought OF.
Well, we suggested that we petition for the
ebfe of the worl<hOuse who are said 10 be very
successful in business requiring deft, quick
finners, 10 help us out. But cur beauty miss
objected to them on the ground of their
uniformity of style in dress, declaring that
she never did like run-around patterns any
how.
Then another proposed that the Centennial
tea party be invited TO share our glory. pro-
vided they promised to come in the costume
OF Martha Washington and drink their own
tea; but our cOnnOisSeur declared that their
sin Of sowing villainOus burleSqueS on innO-
cent China broadcast over the land was
enough TO involve Us iA a bloody war with
the tiowery kingdom any day, and until that
danger was tded over they were Ineligible
Tor positions OF grave responsibility and trust
like ours.
Finally one remembered that office Rours'
al flla tIa nj tri - N--'- =,
-, 49,. 40 nUU ucg al until nOOn and as
great deal of good can be accom- plished
from nine TO twelve, ii was proposed that all
true lovers of economy should De invited to
become practical, redeeatia9 features of the
government al once, by serving in our office
for the term of three hours daily, until fur
ther orders.
As that proposition seemed to meet with
universal favor, we stand pledge. SHOULD
we, as usual, be appointed to instruct the
new hands in their duties,( to teach them the
difference between money and counterfeits
with such sanity sweetness that, by the time
the session draws to a close, there'll be more
.ubsided, pacific males ready to ''Step down
and out" than ever before; while /, should
| the leading bear in the appropriation market
happen to be my pupil, warrant that long be-
| fore that time he will see the error of his
ways so plainly that he'll wish he We're an
| an angel, or am not Miss BROWN.