The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-05-05
Hawthorne as an Ufltce-Seeker.
F. A. Durivage in Baldwin's Monthly.

L "A" OU4AVaSO LII OoAO"AA . 2AOAsAAy.
Every one knows that the "scarlet Let
ter" published by Ticknor Fields few
years afterward, made Hawthorne. In 1888
I used to meet him at Goodrich and in tho
drawing room of Park Benjamin, Temple
place, Boston. Hawthorne used to call,
listen, and 60 away, without saying word,
but, as Cole said of the stuffed owl, keep
ing up confounded thinking" I saw
Hawthorne some years afterward in the
private room Of Gen. Peaslee, collector Of
the port Of Boston. He was then in very
good spirits, and expansive. I congratu-
lated him on the recent election Of his class.
mate and friend, Franklin Pierce, and he
reciprocated by congratulating me on my
appointment as private secretary to the col
lector Of Boston.
Il have just been calling on Frank at the
fremont house," said Hawthorne. He
took me aside and said. What can do
for you, Nat?' told him that had long
wished to see Europe, and so I had deter
mined to ask him for some foreign mission
or chargeship. No. no, said Pierce. That
would be a repetition Of Jennifer and Aus
tria. I'll lido better for you, Nat And so,"
continued Hawthorne, gratefully and ex-
citedly, ''although it is now secret, to-
morrow every one will know that the presi-
Then Hawthorne; who, as said. was in
d very expansive vein, repeated the story
Pierce had just told him Of Jennifer. It
seems that just after Gen. Taylor's election,
Jennifer met Todd in Baltimore.
Where are you going, Jennifer?"
"To Washington.
Everybody is going to Washington; and
everybody knows Taylor will give you what
you ask for. Now, the question is, what
will you ask for?"
You know have always wanted to 20 to
Europe Well, shall ask for foreign
mission or chargeship. You see, lean live
on my outfit, and save up all my salary.
I'm those days the outfit and salary were
$4,000 each.) I have thought of Russia.
On this, Todd said promptly
Don't 60 there. st. Petersburg is hor-
rid hole, and the dearest in Europe. Your
outfit wouldn't last there week"
Jennifer thanked him, posted on to Wash
ington and saw Gen. Taylor.
"Well, Jennifer, what can do for your"
"Give me the chargeship of Austria"
"Consider yourself appointed. I was
afraid you'd say Russia, knowing your
Muscovite proclivities. But I've given that
to Todd"
Well, Jennifer went to Vienna, lived
snugly on his outfit, saved his salary, and
was happy in the realization of his plans.
On the eve of his departure, he called on
the Countess, who was mistress Of
ceremonies at court, and expressed to her
his regret that his social position as
bachelor prevented him from reciprocating
the attentions lavished on him.
am glad you have spoken of it" said
his friend "Your country and you will
suffer if you go away without reciprocating.
But never mind. will see to everything
do all the honors. AL you will have to do
will be to pay the bills. will see that you
have them promptly"
The countess, Jennifer's friend, hired
vacant palace, Italian singers and music,
bought flowers, engaged a French cook, etc.
Every one agreed that so splendid an enter.
tainment had never been given in Vienna.
The bills amounted to $4,000. Jernifer
went home penniless, and was glad to take
subordinate clerkship in the treasury de-
partment. Hence Franklin Pierce did not
give Hawthorne clerkship, but made him
consul at Liverpool "a fortune them; and
hence, in my mind, never hear the name
of Hawthorne without thinking Of Pierce,
Jennifer and Todd. Such is the force Of
association