The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-05-26
washington Correspondence Chicago Tribune.l
A Tale of Bob IngersOll.
THE STORY OF LITTLE HUMPBAoK.

hardly credit her with strength to go
about. But in all sorts of weather
she went bravely upon her small black
crutches, hunting Washington, over
for place where her thin little hands
could find something to do. She came
here from Brooklyn with letters from
people who had been interested IN her
forlorn condition. She was twenty
years old, an orphan, without rela-
tive or near friend in all the world.
In Washington she met with no en-
couragement. No one had even a
kind word for the little, humpbacked
woman, who had no friends. Day by
day she haunted the ante-rooms OF
officials, where she was jostled by pol
iticians and place-seekers until any
one less patient than she would have
given up entirely. Finally, when her
resources were nearly all gone, some
one told her that there was one man
in Washington who was the friend OF
the friendless, man with heart so
large and tender that it could not lis
ten to the simplest story OF pain and
suffering without tears Of sympathy.
This man, Colonel Robert G. lnger-
soil, whose sole happiness consists In
making others happy, is besleeged
night and day with crowds OF unhaap7,
py people. Although he IS regarded
by many pious people as an enemy to
mankind, yet there is not one OF them
who each day scatters so much kind
ness and goodness in the path OF his
fellow-creatures. To him the patient
faced cripple went, and at once found
that there was one man in the city OF
Washington who does not discrlml-
nate between his callers. With HIM
the lame, halt, and blind find as much
favor. if not more, than the rich and
powerful. The little cripple told him
her story briefly and simply. She was
alone in the world. She wanted work
She was able to do much in spite OF
her deformity. All that she wanted
was one chance to show what she
could do.
"What have you done already?'
was asked. ;,
II have called to see the President.
did you see him?"
"No."
wv lily hOG9
"Some way never managed to get
in. I would go there and give my
letter to the messenger, and he would
say, The President is busy now; you
must wait Then | would wait for
hours, and then the messenger would
say, The hour for the Presidents re-
ception of callers is at an end. Come
again tomorrow at 10.
"And you went again ?"
Eyes. / was always there as the
clock struck, but someway | could
never get there so early but that
others would be ahead Of me. | have
gone up there for many days, but
never got any further than on thf
first day."
well, I will see what can do to-
you"
He then took her address. A da,
later, before he could do anything t.
help her, he was obliged to go ava.
for a week or two. He called upol
the little cripple and asked her blunt
ly how much money she had. Sh
told him. The amount was onl
enough to last her two or three day
longer. The generous public MAJ
said; "Well, | guess | will have to Sc
you through in this matter. So h
dove down in his pocket and gave he
enough money to last her until b
returned. Then he gave her a lette
to the President. With that she OK
tanned an interview with him. 1t di
not appear to be satisfactory, howe7
er, for the next day she appeare
again at Colonel Ingersolls.
"Well?" said he.
"The President was very kind
me-" said the cripple, ''but he woul
not give me note to any Of the d
partment chiefs as [ wanted him
do. He said that he had made ru
to not ask personally any appoin
ment in the departments
"Well,'' said the Colonel, 'you g
ready and 60 up with me to-morro'
and I will talk to the President +
you"
The next day Colonel Ingerst
walked in to the President una
nounced, as is his privilege. Said b
'Mr. President, there is little hum
backed woman outside | want you
see.'
."But, my dear Bob," said the Pre-
ident, ''there are Senators and mel
bers here in this room waiting to s
me"
'sLet them wait. You have th
class here every day. Let them col
again If need be. | want you to s
nv little humpbacked friend"
ssBut what can [ do for her?
can't write her letter, as it is again
my rules
your rule. You can say: I will WI
no letters except for orphan hun
backed women with no relatives
friends To do such deed Of XII
ness as this is worth all there is in
ing President. Anybody can give
fees to politicians, but it takes
highest aspirations and noblest
minds to use the great power of P1
ident to help the helpless and aid
friendless.
'sThe President smiled as he So
swell, Bob, for the Lords sake,
your sake, and for her sake [ will
it."
'Never mind about the Lords sa
According to your view Of the Lort
work, He is responsible for the aft
ton that now makes this poor {
suffer. So we will leave Him c
Also, please leave me out of the CT
and do it as you ought, for her SAX
"Very well; as you say, it shall
done for her sake" Here the Pr
dent dashed off a hasty order for
appointment, and as he did so, c.
mel Ingersoll said, laughingly: 9TH
ronard that az one of the most