The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-02-25
.MAKEA AvAcANcY. oRIwiLL."
a Rem,niseenes of f"rh. Silent Man. ("

During the late administration Of Grant
there chanced to be young man In one Of
the departments, who, like 50 many now and
then, had entered upon that horrible declev-
ity which begins with the g'lded tippling-sa-
loon and ends-who shall say where? He
was q capable clerk, and his sprees and short
comings 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 drunkard's re-
cord behind him, step by slep, he passed the
down grade Of dissipation, until wife, chill
dren and friends cut loose, and the quandam
gentleman slept In the parks and lived on
charity. He was abandoned by ail-all save
the angel Of mercy lowering near, through
unseen. A temperance reform movement
claimed him as trophy, and he began the
upward struggle. Wife and children came
back; but who believes in reformed drunk
ard? 1t was astruggle for years to find bread
for the little ones, but he fought bravely and
disappointing those who looked for failure,
he held on, and even saved others from 60
down. President Grant, who had known
his father, heard of his struggle and sent for
him. Congratulating him on his reform, he
| said:
"1want to help you; what can I do"
al want work" ....
"You shall have it. Where would you
prefer to go--in new scenes or old %
"Send me, sir, where left blackened
record. 1t may encourage others If regain
my good name, and would be more useful
in my former position" AL. agT..5
The President wrote note to the Secreta-
ry 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 ap-
plicarion would 60 on filew g. ,.. ,
The President, with an iron-clad expletive,
said: "You can't put your wife and childre
on file, can you?" Writing another note
and handing It to him he said: "Give this
| in person and bring an answer" Armed
with this missive he confronted the awful
presence beyond the baize doors and met an
impatient refusal. .... e.. 70.
"What shall tell the President ?" aH
"That there are no vacancies" ..lT !.
When this was delivered at the White
House the imperturable Grant, biting the
end of q cigar, seized red+ink pen and wrote
across the face of his former note: .U .
aMake vacancy or will" .....a.'. .
"Take that and bring his answer" /.
Yet again did the young man return un
successful. The President obtained tempo
rary employment for his friend, taking hin
in person to another department, and await
ed the cabinet meeting the following day
Here the President seemed as quietly imper
tubable as q sphynx. As the members lef
the room the President followed Sec-etar,
Ito the door, and said:r " BY the wa
Mr.. Secretary, who would you recommen'
as your successor ?" The astOnished gentle
man replied, and, passing TO another depart
ment, wrote hasty resignation and sent
in. He was relieved Of his portfolio the fol
lowing day. D..
That young man made excellent use
the faith shown in him by this wonderful
judge of character, and rose to position
eminent usefulness and respectability, whic
he occupies TO day in one Of the largest cite
In the land. So did the friendless strange
win his place and the honorable Secretar
lose his, because the warrior chief had trace
his course in lurid characters, not with swor
tip but with pen, snake vacancy or will,
and now, as of yore, to say was to do, andth
man who "would fight 1t on: ON this line,
etc., undeviatingly kept his word.-Wash
ingson Republican.