Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-27
A MAN FROM
AmusiBg Little IlemInis.
eenee ILLUSTRATIVE Of the Tricks
in which OAiceseekers SOme-
tunes Iadulge.
sces,alt to Courier journal.

EVrfthl 10 kou~lltI1uuIual
INV YoRK, December %. -
Washington correspondent Of the
Tribune tells the following story:
While the civil service reform debate
vas going on 10 the Senate. a day or
two ago, a number OF gentlemen sat
together on one ofthe senate sofas dis
oussing the practical side of the sub
iect, and especially the importunities
of oficeseekers. COngres man Hit,
of Illinois, formerly Assistant Score.
tary of State, vas Que Of tue group
and he told a story Among the
crowd which thrOnged the ante
rooms of the State Department seek
ing for Consulships at the beginning
Of General Garfeld's administration,
there came a man of, modest,
patient demeanor, who hailed
from Arkansaw. He aspired to
be a Consul at some important
point, and had secured the indorse
ment Of a number Of congressman,
who vouched for the excellence Of his
record as a soldier. The Ease was one
which to the sympathies Of the
Assistant Secretary, before whom the
matter came principally for decision.
He was, however, unable to take
action for several weeks. The mar
was a daily VISITOR to the Department
and as it seemed to the kind hearted
official, was growing seedier and leanel
as the weeks passed by.
Toward the end OF May, as the mar
entered the Office one day, Mr.. Hun
said: You have been here a long time
have you mott" The man hung hi
head, aud meekly admitted that b.
had.
"Now tell me truly" said the As
sistant Secretary, haven't you beef
here since the fourth of March, seek
ing this Officer"
The applicant blushed, and ate
a moments hesitation admitted tia
he had been in Washington since thI
Inauguration of the new administra
ton.
Have you a Wife,"
Yes.
"And YOU i've her here, too, hav
you not2'
The answer was a whisper in tn
affirmative.
And have you children
"Tes, SIR"
How many"
-Four
And you have had them here Al
this time, too, wife aud children, daY
you nOt2'
Tears chOked the voice Of the boo
man, as be verified the Assistant Sec
retary's suspicious.
We'll. nov" said Mr.. Hit hi.
sympathies for the misguided fellow
overcoming his customary eEeizI re
serve, Il viii make you . promis,
which | have made to no other appli
cant, but on one condition. If 20,
take your wife and children and star
Tor home TO morrow. | will make you
case a special one, and / will see tn,
President personally about it durinl
the week" ffn
The applicant heaved a sigh, re
heoted a moment, and, with chokint
voice, asked ii he might not return tn,
next day.
mo" said the Assistant Secretary
you have been here too long already
will DO as YOU have said, but only Of
the condition that YOU 20 TO YOUR HON,
tomorrow"
The applicant again reflected anc
pleadingly asked to be allowed to com
once more.
mo sir said the official. "Yo,
have your fate in your hands. G,
home, or | do nothing in your case.
The man turned slowly on his heel
heayed a sigh, and, With bis hand O
the door knob. said be would think q
1t. just a that moment the door wa
pulled open from without, and a locs
reporter entered. The reporter an
the oIice seeker saluted each othe
tamiliarly with, Hello, Bobl" "Hor
are you, Toml" as the one passed i
and the other went out.
What" queried the Assistant Sec
rotary, do you know that man iror
Arkansaw?n
Man from Arkausaw," repeate
the reporter, with an infection ind
eating surprise and amusement.
Hes no man from Arkansaw: He
q clerk 10 the Pension Office. His vii
keeps a boarding house on + stree
I've known EN- for eleven years, an
used to board with them"