Middletown transcript., 1876-09-16
THE swEErs OF oFFIoE.
When President Franklin Pierce vi

THE SWEETS OF OFFICE.
When President Franklin Pierce vis-
tied Boston, soon after his Inauguration
he sent for his old friend and playmate
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author, ia
meet him at the Trement House, ex-
pressed his desire to serve him, and
asked him what his views and wishes
were with regard to an official appoint
ment. Hawthorne said that he had for
years had desire to visit Europe, and
he thought he should like an appoint
ment as minister to some foreign court
in country where living was cheap,
SO that be could live on bis outfit. and
save all the salary.
~ will do better for you." said
Pierce. II will give you a consulate,
the yearly income of which is for
tune" Every one knows that President
Pierce appointed his friend consul to
Liverpool, the fees then amounting to
$40, 900 or $50. 200 a year.
"But your plan Of q diplomatic ap-
pointmeut, that" said Pierce, and
saving up your salary. reminds me Of a
capital story which I will tell you"
PRESIDENT pIERoE's STORY. 1
Soon after General Taylor's inaugu-
ration, Mr.. Jenifer passed through Bal
timore on the way to Washington to
seek an Office. He had pitched on the
Russian mission. because he had heard
that living in Russia was very cheap.
and he thought he could live on bis
outfit and save up all his salary. In
Baltimore be met General Todd and de-
tailed all his plans.
"Russia!" said Todd Russia is the
dearest hole on the face Of the globe. !"
"But the honor of a full mission J"
/. Nonsense said Todd. . that
amounts to nothing. Go to Austria
It's only chargeship. but you can live
on nothing in Vienna and save up all
your salary Vienna is the place, my
boy. Ask old Taylor to give you that. !"
Thanking Todd for his valuable ad-
vice, Jenifer sought President Taylor.
"Of course you're after an office, !"
said Old Rough-and- Ready. Every
body is. What can | do for you Z"
I 'I'm after foreign mission, gene
ral." ssa
$50 heard. What do youiwant +"
II want to be appointed charge d
affaires to Vienna. p
"Good again! I was afraid you were
{ after the Russian mission. But Todd
has picked out that. and I've promised
it to him."
Todd's advice, therefore. was not so
very disintcrested, after all
Well. Mr. Jenifer went to Austria,
pleaded his bacholorhood as an excuse
for not giving entertainments. lived in
humble lodgings, and. at the end Of
four years, had balance Of $75 900 in
his favor at his bankers.
When be had made every engagement
for returning to the United States, he
made parting call on the Countess
Konigstein, the leading court lady; in
fact the one who run the, machine, !"
as one might say. To her be expressed
the great regret he felt at having been
unable to reciprocate the hospitalities
which had been lavished on him. If be
hadn't been forlorn old bachelor he
would not leave Vienna without one en-
tcrtainment at least s 1.
"Mr. Jenifer." said the countess, 81
am very glad you have broached this
subject to me, because | am in a posi-
ton to extricate you from your dilem-
ma. To speak frankly. if you left
Vienna without doing something, your
reputation and that tof your country
would suffer badly. But if you will
leave everything to me I will arrange a
ball that shall do you credit. issue the
invitations and receive your company,
and all you will have to do will be to
pay the bills" gsass
OF course Jenifer had to empower
the lady to do as she saw fit. -, She hired
for the occasion an elegantly furnished
house and host Of servants. All the
greenhouses in the city were ravaged to
furnish floral decorations. A French
cook and staff were hired. Strauss and
his orchestra were engaged, and the
leading prima donna Of the Italian opera
to furnish the music. Through the IL
Illuminated halls and gardens Jenifer
wandered miserable man, for he was
mentally calculating the cost of his d.
plomatic fete. The next day the count
ess. who was woman of business. sent
her steward to Jenifer with the bills.
requesting check on his banker for
the amount. Jenifer footed up the
items, and. with deep groan, signed a
check for $4,000. exactly the amount
Of his four years. savings.
He had enough left. however, to take
him home. He went to Washington,
and was glad enough to get clerkship
in the Treasury Department. So much
for the profits of foreign mission.
KEEPING ENGAGEMENTS.
Miss Marie Poirson, of Paris. has