Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-06-10
Nuke a Vacancy, or 1 Will.

/ During the late administration OF
Grant there CHANGED to be a young man
In one of the departments who, like so
many others then and now, had entered
on that horrible declivity which begins
with the gilded tippling saloon and
ends-who shall say where? He was a
capable clerk, and his sprees and short
comings were condoned for the sake OF
the memory of his honored father, Sem
ator -. But the road was sure, and
IN time, with discharge in his pocket,
and drupkard's record behind him.
step by step he passed tho down grade
OF dissipation, until wife, children and
friends cnt loose, and the 'absud one d
gentleman slept in the parks and lived
on charity. He was abandoned by all
all save the angel of mercy lowering
near. though unseen. A temperance
resnrm movement claimed him as Q
tf6pry, and he began the upward
struggle. Wife and children came
back, but who believes in reformed
drnnkard?" 2" 1t was a struggle for years
to lind bread for the little ones, but he
fonght bravely, and disappointing
those who looked for his failure he held
On, and even saved others from going
over the preoipice. President Grant,
who had known his father, heard of his
struggle and sent for him. Congrstu-
latihg him on his reform, he said:
~ want to help you; what can
do?"
L want work." was the reply.
You shall have it. Where would
you prefer to go-in new scenes or
old? q
The Young man said: "Send me, sir,
where left blackened record. It
may encourage others if I regain good
name. and | would be more useful in
my former position"
The President wrete q note to the
Secretary of that department and
handed it to the young man, who left,
but ere long returned with an anxious
face.
:" The Secretary sent out word that
my application would go on fle"
The President. with an irou-clad ex.
pletive, said: You cant put your wife
and children on file, can you ?" Writing
another note and handing it to him, he
said: Give this in person and bring
me an answer" Armed with this mis-.
sive he confronted the awful presence
beyond tina baizs door and met an i'm.
patient refusal.
What shall I tell the President ?"
he calmly Inquired.
THAT there are no vacancies"
When this was delivered at the White
House the imperturable Grant, biting
the end Of cigar, seized red-ink pen
and wrote across the face of his former
note: Make vacancy, or willl'
Take this and bring me an answer"
Yet again did the young man return
unsuccessful. The President obtained
temporary employment for his friend,
taking him i'll person to another de-
psrtment, and awaited the Cabinet
meeting the following day. Here the
President seemed as quietly impertur-
baole AS a sphynx. As the members
left the room the President followed
Secretary - TO the door, aud said:
by the way. Mr.. Secretary, who
would you recommend for your sue
cessor?' The astonished gentleman
replied, and, passing to another de-
pa tment, wrote hasty resignation and
sent it in. He was relieved OF his
portfolio the following day.
That young man made excellent use
Of the faith shown in him by this won.
derful judge of character, and rose to q
position of eminent usefulness and re-
seectability, which he occupies to-day
in one of the largest cities in our land.
So did the friendless stranger win his
place and the honorable secretary lose
his, because the warrior chief had
traced his course in lurid characters,
not with sword tip but with pen,
"make vacancy. or WILL" and now,
as of yore. to say was to do, and the
man who would fight it out on this
Iine." etc.. undeviatiugly kept his
word.-I Washin ston Republic.