The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-04-14
Make a Vacancy or I Will.
Washington Republic .

Washington Republic.
During the late administration of
Grant there chanced to be young man
in one of the departments who, like so
many others then and now, had entered
on that terrible declivity which begins
with gilded tippling-saloon and ends
who can tell where? He was capa-
BILE clerk, and his sprees and short-com-
ings were condoned for the sake of the
memory of his honored father, Senator
But the road was sure and in
time, with discharge in his pocket and
a drunkard's record behind him step by
step he passed the down grade of dissi-
patton, until wife, children and friends
cut loose, and the quandam gentleman
slept in the parks and lived on charity.
He was abandoned by all-all save the
angel of charity lowering near, though
unseen. A temperance reform move
ment claimed him as trophy, and he
began an upward struggle. Wife and
children came back; but who believes in
a reformed drunkard? 1t was strug-
gle for years to find bread for the little
ones, but he fought bravely, and, disap-
pointing those who looked for his fall
ure, he held on, and even saved others
from going over the precipice. Presi-
dent Grant, who had known his father,
heard of his struggle and sent for him.
Congratulating him on his reform he
said;
81 want to help you; what can do ?"
81 want work." was the reply.
''You shall have it. Where would
you prefer to go-in new scenes or
old ?''
The young man said, ''send me where
l left a blackened record. 1t may en-
courage others if regain good name,
and would be more useful in my for
mer position"
The president wrote note to the Sec
retary 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 file."
The president, with an iron-clad ex-
pletive, said: "4ou can't 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 missive he confront
ed the awful presence beyond the baise
doors and met an impatient refusal.
"What shall tell the PRESIDENT? he
calmly inquired.
aThat there are no vacancies
When this was delivered at the White
House the impertuI bable Grant, biting
the end of cigar, seized red-ink pen
and wrote across the face of the note
make vacancy, or L willm
'Take that and bring his answer"
Yet again did the young man return
unsuccessful. The president obtained
temporary employment for his friend
taking him in person to another depart
ment, and awaited the cabinet meeting
the next day. Here the president seem
edas quietly imperturbable as sphinx
| As the members left the room the presi-
dent followed Secretary -- TO the
door, and said: "By the way MIR. Sec
retary, who would you recommend for
your successor?'' The astonished gen.
tleman replied, and passing to another
department, 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 tins Won
derful judge of character, and rose TO a
position of eminent usefulness and re-
spectability, which he occupies to-day
ih one of the largest cities in our land