The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-02-20
Cass and tho Office Seeker.

A story was told Of Lewis Cass and
an old friend Of his earlier wears, by
General Wcslmore, Of Ncw York, than
whom few then living in Washington
enjoyed more kcenly good story,
Lewis Cass, arrivinga at the Depart
ment of State (he was then Secretary,
found on his desk the card OF gentle
man from lis native State. The door
keeper was told TO show him in, which
he did A blunt old farmer graspcd the
Secrctary's hand with well, I'm
mighty glad to see YOU, but pebbe you
don't remember me, OF course the
Secretary received him cordialy--he
WAS a constituent-~h he looked him over
carcfully--couidn't recall him, and was
compelled to say, "Well, no sir; you
have the advantage Of me. Then the
farmer gave bis name and Cass re-
nembered the comrade Of bis youth,
through all the changes forty years bad
made. The Secretary was profuse in
expressions Of pleasure at seeing his old
friend again, and oil that, and finally
said:
"Wcll. now Joe, what brought you
down here? | am curious to know. l.
there anything ! can do for YOU? You
know would do anything IN the world
for YOU, in my power.
There now, Lew9 That 5 just what
told EN-. said, knew Lev when
he was a youngster, and knew he
wouldn change like that.
Cass-''Neli, now Joe, what is il?
How can help you? Just say it; il it
is IN ny power will do it for you most
willingly; YOU know there's nothing in
the world that wouldn't do for you,
Now what is it,
Farmer--"|Yeil, don't know just
what it Is, hi thought you might get
me o 'sinumcurem ! believe they call
it, any way it's where there : plenty pay
and not much to do You see Lew
amt able TO do much now, and !
wouldu t-a-comc down any way, II
things hadn't goue sopowerful bad--hut
| won't bother YOU about that. | jest
knew you'd put me thro', il YOU knew
my fix You see ain I partik lar, only
something.
Cass--"Mv dear old friend, YOU know
| would do anything in the world |
could for YOU, but, you see, You cannot
understand how many persons there are
trying to get an Office, and how few get
any You see YOU would not under
stand it. I do not see anything just
now, but Joe, III keep my eye on YOU.
Just cal! in whenever you can; | shall
be pretty busy now for awhile.
Tho farmer called the next morning.
The Secretary was very much en-
gagged but in a hurried manner said:
I'm on the lookout I'll keep my
eye on you
Il is unnecessary to lengthen tn,
story DGv after day the answer was
the same in effect" Looking out fol
him;' anything in the world he could
do and keeping his eve on him.
Ten days passed in this way, the old
rustic had seen Washington, His pa
ticnce was used up, and he had only
money enough left to get home with; he
would see Lew once more.
Joe called he was shown in with the
same promptness us ever The Secre.
,ary was very busy but the old
farmer was not 10 be put of this time.
Now, Lew, just listen mint. You've
told me again and again If there was
ANYTHING YOU could do you'd do ii.
have found something you can do for
me- I know YOU can, and that's all
want now, "
The secretary-"My dear old friend,
! | am so glad Just tell me, You know
would DO anything in my power tc
help YOU You cannot know how
pleased shall be to serve you In any
way in my
"Onice.seeker Yes, yes. ! know
I've money enough to Get home, and al,
ask Is 10 keep your ewes oil me-