The Portland daily press., 1881-02-15
New Story about Grant.
Make a Vacancy, or WILL"
Washington Republic. l

washington hepubhc.l
During the late administration of Grant
there chanced to be young man in one Of the
departments who like many others, then and
now, had entered on that horrible decliyity
which begins with the gilded tippling-saloon
and ends-who shall say where? He was a
capable clerk, and his sprees and shortcomings
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 drunkards g record behind him,
step by step he passed the down grade of dis
sipation, until wife, children and friends cut
loose, and the quondam 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 reform
movement claimed him as a trophy, and he
began the upward struggle. Wife and children
came back; but who believes in reformed
drunkard?' 1t was struggle for years to
hnd bread for the little ones, but he fought
bravely, and, disappointing those who looked
Ior his failure, he held on, and even saved
others from going over the precipice. Presi-
dent Grant, who bad known his father, heard
OF his struggle and sent for him. Congratu-
lating him on his reform. he said: "T want to
help you; what can do?" 81 want work."
was the reply. "You shall have it. Where
would you prefer to go-in old scenes or new?"
The young man said: "Send me, sir, where
left blackened record. 1t may encourage
others If regain new name, and would BE-
more useful in my former position" The Pres
ident wrote note to the Secretary of that
department and handed it to the young man,
who left but ere long returned with an anx-
lous lace, The Secretary sent out word that
my application would 60 on fle." The Presi-
dent, with an iron-clad expletive, said: "You
can't put your wife and children on file, can
your, Writing another note and handing it to
him, he said, "Give this in person and bring
me an answer" Armed with this missive he
confronted the awful presence beyond the
balze doors and met an impatient refusal
What shall tell the PRESIDENT" he calmly
inquired. THAT there are no vacancies"
When this was delivered at the White House,
the imperturbable Grant, biting the end of q
cigar, seized red ink pen and wrote across
the face OF his former note, "Make a vacancy,
or L will!'' "Take that, and bring his an.
swer." Yet again did the young man return
unsuccessful The President obtained tempo
rary employment for his friend, taking him in
person to another department, and awaited the
cabinet meeting the following day. Here the
PRESIDENT seemed as quietly Imperturbable as q
spnlnx AS the members left tho room the
President followed Secretary - to the door,
and said, by the way, Mr.. Secretary, whom
would you recommend as your successor"
The astonished gentleman replied and passing
TO another department., wrote hasty resigna-
tion, 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 wonderful judge of character, and rose
TO position OF eminent usefulness and respect
ability, which he occupies to-day in one Of the
largest cities in our land. So did the friend
less 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
nr will ~ .x,1r u
do, and the man who would fight it out on
this line, etc., undeviatingly kept his word.