Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-02-02
A Meek Ofnce-Seeker.

While the civil service reform debate
was going on in the Senate day or two
ago a number Of gentlemen sat together
on one of the Senate sofas discussing the
practical side Of the subject and es-
pecially the opportunities of Office
seekers. Congressman Hit, Of Illinois,
formerly Assistant Secretary OF State,
was one of the group, and he told n
story.
Among the crowds which thronged
the ante-rooms Of the State Department
seeking for Consulships at the beginning
OF General Gariield's Administration,
there came a man OF modest, patient de.
meanor, who hailed from Arkansas.
He aspired to be Consul at some
unimportant point, and had secured
Endorsement OF number of Con-
gressmen, who vouched for the ex-
cellence Of his record as soldier.
The case was one which appealed to
the sympathies Of the Assistant Sec
retary, before whom the matter came
primarily for decision. He was, how
ever, unable to take action for several
weeks. The man was daily visitor al
the department, and, as it seemed TO the
kind hearted official, was growing seed
Ter and leauer as the weeks passed by
Toward the end of May, as the man en-
tered the office one day, Mr.. Hit said
"You have been here losg time
have You not?"
The man hung his head and meekl,
admitted that no had.
Now, tell me truly" said tho Assis
tant Secretary, "havent You been here
since tho 4th Of March, seeking this
officer"
The applicant blushed, and after
moments hesitation, admitted that he
had been in Washington since the in
auguration OF the new Administration
"Have you @ife?"
Eyes"
"And you have her hero, too, hav'
you mott"
Tho answer was q whisper in the af
iirmative.
And have YOU children
Eyes, sir.
"iIow manyi"
-Four"
"And you have had them here all thi,
time, too-wifo and childron-have you
notY"
Tears choked tho voice Of the poo
man as he verified the Assistant Secro
tary's suspicious.
"Well, now" said Mr. Hit, his sym
pathes for tho misguided fellow over
coming his customary official reserve, 81
will make You promise which / hav,
made to no other applicant, but on one
condition. II you take your wife ant
children and start for homo tomorrow
will make your case special one, and
will see the President personally about i
during the week."
The applicant heaved sigh, reflecte,
moment, md, with choking voice
asked if he might not return the mex
day.
NO." said the Assistant Secretary
you have been here too long already.
will do as i have said, but on condition
that you 60 to your home tomorrow.
The applicant again reaacted, ant
pleadingly asked to come once more"
mo, sir" said the official. "Yoi
have fate in your own hands. Go home
or do nothing in your case. The MAJ
turned slowly on his heel, heaved I
sigh, and with his hand on the door
knob, said he would think OF it.
Just at that moment the door wa
pulled open from without and loco
reporter entered. The reporter and tn
office. seeker saluted each other famil
iarly with "Hello, Bob;n Glow ar
you, Tom as the one passed in an
the other out.
"What, queried the Assistant Secre
tary, addressing the reporter, "do yol
know that man from Arkansas ~
'Man from Arkansas" repeated tn
reporter, with an infection indicating
surprise and amazcment. Hes N,
man from Arkansas, He'sa clerk in tn
Pension Office; his wife keeps board
ing house on Il street I've known 'on
for eleven years; used to board will
'em.