Connecticut western news., 1883-01-10
THE MAN FROM ARKANSAS.
HOW STERN WASHINGTON OPEL CIALS HEART WAS MOVED TO
 PITY.
A Washington Correspondent Tells this Story of Omee-Seeking Life at the Capital.

Among the crowds which thronged the ante-rooms of the State Department seeking for Consulships at the beginning of General Garfeld's Administration, there came man of modest, patient de- meanor, who hailed from Arkansas.
 He aspired to be Consul at some un- important point, and he had secured the indorsment of number of Congressmen who vouched for the excellence of his record as soldier. The case was one which appealed to tho sympathies of the Assistant Secretary, before whom the ! matter came primarily for decision. He was, however, unable to take action for several weeks. The man was 8 daily visitor at the Department, and as it seemed to the kind-hearted official was growing seedier and leaner as the weeks passed by. Toward the end of May, as the man entered the office one day, MT. Hit said
 "You have been here long time, have you not ?"
 The man hung his head and meekly admitted that he had.
 "Now tell me truly" said the Assist ant Secretary, "haven't you been here since the 4th of March, seeking this offce?' The applicant blushed and, after moments hesitation, admitted that he had been in Washington since the inauguration of the new Administra- | hon.
 "Have you wife ?" 'Yes."
 "And you have her here, too, have you not ?"
 The answer was whisper in the affirmative.
 "And have you children?"
 'sYes, 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 as he verified the Assistant S.ecre- tary's suspicious. "Well, now,'' said MT. Hit, his sym pathies for the misguided fellow over- coming his customary official reserve. Twill make you promise which I have made to no other appicant-but on one condition. If you take your wife and children and start for home tomorrow. I will make your case special one, and I will see the President personally about it during the week."
 The applicant heaved sigh of relief, reflected 8 moment, and with choking voice asked if he might not return the next day. "No,' said the Assistant Secretary. ''You have been here too long already. I will do as I have said, but only on the condition that you go to your home tomorrow.
 The applicant again reflected, and pleadingly asked to be allowed to come once more.
 "No, sir" said the official. "You have your fate in your hands. Go home, or I | do nothing in your case.
 The man turned slowly on his heel, heaved 8 sigh, and with his hand on the l doOr-knob said he would think of 1t,
 Just at that moment the door was pulled open from without, and local re- porter entered. The reporter and the ofice-seeker saluted each other familiarlv with "Hello, Bob;" "How are you, Tom?'' as the one passed in and the other out.
 "What," queried the Assistant Secre- tary, addressing the reporter, "do you know that man from Arkansas ?''
 "Man from Arkansas p repeated the reporter, with an infection indicating surprise and amusement. "He's no man from Arkansas. He's clerk in the Pen sion Office; his wife keeps boarding house on F street. I've known 'em for eleven years used to board with 'em."