Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-16
A Very Good Story.

Don Piatt tells the following good
story about ex-Sec' y Chandler and Gen.
Miles:
Miles was in Washington while Zach
ariah was in the Interior, and the first
named being appealed to by clerkess
discharged from the Interior Office,
wended his way to that interesting To-
cality to use his influence to have the
discharged restored. Miles felt in his
military soul that he had influence.
Was he not a relative of the great Sher-
man and Ewing families? Was he not
a rising West Pointer, with record be-
hind and a career before him? He
thought to find the doors fly open of
themselves as he approached the high
Office of the high old Michigander.
He sent in his pasteboard and was bid
to take seat. No, it was not worth
while sitting, and our military rooster
walked to and fro, expecting every mo-
ment to be summoned. But moments
went by on leaden wings without sum-
MONS There must have been some mis-
take. He sought the messenger. The
messenger replied that he had placed
the pasteboard before the Secretary.
Miles sent in another, and yet no doors
flew Open He walked impatiently un-
til tired and then he hinged on his mill
tary center and waited, fretting his mil
itary soul at the delay.
He sought to pass the time by study
ing the people about him. They were a
motley group-running from we'll dress
ed men and women down to common la
borers At last the messenger returned.
Miles started forward. Here was his
call. Not bit of it. The stupid fellow
nodded out one of the crowd who had
preceded Miles. This went on for two
hours, and Miles would haze abandoned
the business but for the tenacity of pur-
pose his late Indian business indicates.
At last he was called into the presence
Of the great Michigander, who was worn
down by troublesome demands, and was
in bad humor. Miles helped himself
to chair, and Zach said, gruffly:
Well, sir, what is your business? =
Il came, Mr.. Secretary" responded
Miles, smoothly, ito get a poor woman
restored to her clerkship."
What" exclaimed Zach, with an
emphasis that gave the force and explo-
sion to the word as if shot from the
deadly level of gun.
Il came" repeated the distinguished
relative, ''to get discharged clerk re-
stored
Zachariah rose solemnly from his
chair, stalked to the door at which our
rrienu entered, aud poin+;ns 20 a print Oh
placard thereon, rOared:
Can YOU read. Sir?"
Certainly" responded the military
relative with good deal of the spunk
taken out of him.
Then read that"
Miles reads:
"No Vacancies IN this Department."
Good morning, sir growled Zach,
and the Sherman-E Ewing relative hauled
off to repair damages.
1t happened that the very next Sun
day Miles was entering the grounds Of
the Soldiers Home, on visit to COL
Pitcher He had driven in his buggy
when Zach dashed up, but the Sergeant
I'M charge closed the gate, refusing him
admittance. Zach had friend with
him to whom he was desirous of show
ing the Soldiers Home, and noticing the
military gentleman on the inside, sang
| out:
II say, Colonel, tell this fellow who I
am, will your"
Miles dismounted from his buggy,
went back through the gate, and said
slowly to Zachariah:
Can you read, sir?"
Certainly l can" roared old Zach
arlah.
"Well, sir. read that" and Miles
pointed with the end of his whip to the
sign on the gate:
"No admission on Sunday"
"Good morning, sir" said Miles, as he
drove away.
The Sergeant on duty heard a stout
| old party in the carriage say:
"Well, I'll be blamed"