Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-09-28
THE SWEETS OF OFFICE.

THE SWEETS OF OFFICE.
When President Franklin Pierce vis-
tied Boston, soon after his ihanguration
he sent for his old friend and playmate,
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author, to
meet him at the fremont 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 he could live on his outfit, and
save all the salary.
81 will do better for you," said
Pierce. 81 will give you consulate,
the yearly income OF which is a for
tune" Every one knows that Presi-
dent Pierce appointed his friend consul
in Liverpool, the fees then amounting
to $4,000 or $4,000 a year.
"But, your plan Of a diplomatic ap-
pointment, that" said Pierce, land
saving up your salary, reminds me OF a
capital story which | will tell YOU"
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 his
outfit and save up all his salary. In
Baltimore he 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 full mission ~
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. J"
Thanking Todd for his valuable adj
vice, Jenifer sought President Taylor.
..Of course you're after an office"
said Old Rough-and-Ready. every
body is. What can do for your
I'm after foreign mission, gene
rail-"
$50 l heard. What do you want 2"
-. 81 want 10 be appointed charge d.
affaires TO Vienna"
Good again! Twas 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 dislnterested, after all.
Well, Mr.. Jeniter went to Austria,
pleaded his bachelorhood as an excuse
for not giving entertainments, lived in
humble lodgings, and, at the end of
four years, had balance of S75,0 900
in his favor at his bankers.
When he had made every engage
ment 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" Z"
as one might say. To her he expressed
the great regret he felt at having been
unable to reciprocate the hospitalities
which had been lavished on him. If he
hadn't been forlorn old bachelor he
would not leave Vienna without one
entertainment at least.
"Mr. Jenifer, said the countess, "I
am very glad you have broached this
subject to me, because am in a posi-
ton to extricate you from your diem
ma. To speak frankly, if you left Vi
emma without doing something, your
reputation and that of your country
would suffer badly. But if you will
leave everything to me | 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"
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 Jcnifer
wandered miserable man, for he was
mentally calculating the cost Of his di-
plomatic fete. The next day the count
ess, who was a woman Of business, sent
her, steward to Jenifer with the bills,
requesting a check on his banker for
the amount. Jenifer footed up the
items, and, with deep groan, signed a
check for St5, 900, 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.