Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-01-06
AN ARKANSAS MAN.
us DeplOrable Condition while
Awaiting Consulate.


Awaiting u COmsuIote.
Washington correspondent of the
Tribune tells the following story:
While the civil service reform debate
was gOiny on in the Senate, a day or two
ago, a number of gentlemen sat together
on one of the Senate sofas, discussing
the practical side of the subject, and
especially the opportunities of Office
seekers. Congressman Hit of Illinois,
formerly assistant secretary Of state,
was one of the group, and he told a
story. Among the crowd which throng-
ed the ante-rOOm of the state department,
seeking for consulship at the beginning
of General Garfield's administration,
there came man of modest, patient de-
meanOr who hailed from Arkansas. He
aspired to be consul at some unimpOrt-
ant point, and had secured the indOrse-
ment of number of congressman who
vOuched for the excellence of his record
as soldier. The case was one which
appealed to sympathies of the assistant
secretary, before whom the matter came
primarily for decision. He was how.
eyer, unable to take action for several
weeks. The man was daily visitor at
the department, and. as it seemed to the
kind-hearted Official, was growing
seedier as the weeks passed by. Toward
the end of May, 40 the man entered the
Office one day, Mr.. Hit said:
"YOu have been here long time, have
you nOtY"
The man hung his head and meekly
admitted that he had.
Nov tell me truly" said the assistant
secretary" "haven't you been here since
the 4th Of March, seeking this Officer"
ho Of n
moments hesitation admitted that he
auguration of the new administration.
EYES,"
"And you have her, here to, have you
not?" The answer was whisper in the
affirmative. "And have you children?'
Eyes, sir" "HOw many?" -Four" "And
you have had them here all this time
too; wife and children, have you nOt?"
Tears chOked the voice of the poor man
rs he verified the assistant secretary's
suspicious.
well, now" said Mr.. Hit, his sympa-
thies for the misguided fellow 0verc0m-
ing his customary official reserve. 81
will make you promise which 1 have
made to no other applicant. but on one
condition. II you take your wife and
children and start for home tomorrow,
1 will make your case special one, and
will see the President personally about
. it during the week." The applicant
heaved sigh, reflected moment, and,
with choking voice, asked if he might
not return next day. NO." said the as
sistant secretary, "yOu have been here
too long already. l will do as l have
said, but only on condition that you 60
to your home tomorrow" The appli-
cant again reflected and pleadingly ask
ed to be allowed to come once more. mo,
sir" said the official. "YOu have your
fate in your hands. Go home, or / will
do nothing in your case"
The man turned slowly on his heels
heaveda sigh, and with his hand
on the dOor-kn0b, said he would think OF
it. Just at this moment the door was
pulled open from without and local re.
porter entered. The reporter and the
Office-seeker saluted each other familiar
ly with "Hello, Bob" "How are you
Tom," as the one passed in and the other
went out. What" queried the assist
ant secretary, addressing the reporter
ado you know that man from Arkan-
sas"
"Man from Arkansas" repeated the
reporter with an infection indicating
surprise and amusement. HE is nc
man from Arkansas. He is q clerk In
the pension Office. His wife keeps 9
boarding house on + street. I've known
Fem for II years. Used to board with
them"