The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-04
MAKING A VACANCY.
How Helping Hand Was Extended to an
UnfortuDate.

How "a Helping Hand Was Extended to an
Unfortunate.
Correspondence Boston Journal.
A gentleman who was in position to know
the details of the inside history of the Grant ad-
ministratons once wrote the following story,
which l believe to be correct During the ad-
ministraton of Grant there chanced to be a
young man in one of the departments. who,
like so many others then and now had entered
on that horrible declivity which begins with
the gilded tipping saloon and ends--who shall
say wherel He was a capable clerk, and his
sprecs and shortcomings were condoned for the
sake of the memory of his honored father
Senator -. But the road was sure and in
time. with a discharge in his pocket and
dr1nkards record behind him, step by step he
passed the down grade of dissipation, until wife,
children and friends cut loose, and the quondam
gentleman slept in the parks and lived on
charity. He was abandoned by all-save
the angel of mercy lowering near,
though unseen. A temperance reform
movement claimed him as trophy, and he be-
gan the upward struggle. Wife and children
came back: hut who believes in reformed
drunkardr 1t was struggle for years to find
bread for the little ones, but he fought bravely,
and, disappointing those who looked for his
failure, ne held on, and even saved others from
going over the precpice President Grant who
=
sent for him. Congratulating him on his reform,
he said: II want to help you; what can dos"
II want work." was the reply. You shall have
it. Where would you prefer to go-ln new
scenes or oid!" The young said: Send
me, sir whore left backened record. It may
encourage others if Iregain new name, and
would be more useful in my former position
The President wrote note to the Secretary OF
that department and handed it to the young
man, who left, but ere long returned"with an
anxious face. ''The Secretary sent out word
that my application would 90 on fle." The
Preaident, with an iron clad exp!etive, said:
You can't put your wife and children on file,
can you!" Writing another note and handing it
to him, he said: "Give this in person and bring
me an answer" Armed with this mssive he con-
fronted the awfulpresence beyond the baiZe doors
and met an impatient refusal What shall tell
the President" he calmly inquired. That there
are no vacancies when this was delivered at the
White House the imperturbable Grant, biting
the end of acigar seized a red ink pen and
wrote across the end of his former note, Make
a vacancy Or ] willn' Take that, and bring his
answer" Yet again did the young man return
unsuccessful The President obtained tempo
rary employment for his friend, taking him in
person to another department. and awaited the
Cabinet meeting the following day Here the
Presiden: seemed as quietly imperturbable as a
sphinx. AS the members left the room the Pres
ident followed Secretary - to the door and
said "By the way, Mr.. Secretary, who would
you recommend for your SuccessorW The aston
ished gentleman replied, and passing to another
department, wrote a hasty resign alton and sent
it in He was relieved of his portfolio the fol-
lowing day. That young man made excellent
use of the faith shown in him by this wonderful
Judge of character and rose to position of en-
inent usefulness and responsibility, which he
occupies to-day in one of the largest cities in
land SO did the friendless stranger win his
place and the honorable Secretary lose his, be-
cause the warrer chief had traced his course in
lurid characters, not with the sword tip, but
with pen, make vacancy or will;" and now,
as of yore, to say was to do and the man Who
would fight it out on this line, etc, undevlat-
ingly kept his word.