Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-08-17
MARY JAMES LETTER.
She Relates Number OF Stories Which
Are Said to Be True.
-


Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON. Aug. 16.-I have had
something TO say about the women in the
departments at Washington, and if re-
member correctly it made the woman APP
pear as the weaker vessel.
But she is not always so.
Attest; -
In one Of the departments is a woman
highly connected and sharp as a briar,
with a snap TO her eyes and an edge to
her tongue that are delightful to con-
template when you are not the objective
point. She has been in Office q long time,
and has grip on her place which is not
likely to be soon shaken off, as one high
official can testify, who once tried it. 1t
is an example of woman's gentle power.
| will cite the case. 1t appears that OBJ
lection was made to the number of visit
ors the lady had during business hours,
Notwithstanding they included senators,
members, governors, generals and that
sort of people, who in the matter Of infiu-
ence are not to be "sneezed at" So the
official called her up one day and told her
that it must be stopped She explained
that she could scarcely insult such promi-
nent men, especially as they came on other
business than merely to see her by tell
ing them to get out. but if the chief would
issue orders to that effect she would only
be too glad to obey them.
The claws showed through the obedient
smile she gave her chief, but he did not
see them, and the orders were issued.
Nothing happened for day or two or
three, and then the chief interviewed her
at her desk.
well" he said in slightly triumph
ant way, you don't have any trouble
with visitors now"
"0h. no. she smiled; Senator x was
here yesterday with Gen. Y; and Con-
gressmen A. and b., with Mr.. s., of New
York, were here the day before, but /
told them you had issued orders for me
to send them away, and sent them in to
see you"
But they didn't come. he said in some
alarm
Indeed? Didn't they9" she asked in.
nocently II thought they might, from
the way they talked. ! was coming in
with them, but you know l couldn't leave
my desk and neglect my duties"
The official twisted about uneasily.
And by the way" she continued,
Governor Blank was here about an hour
ago, and l sent him off in five minutes
with a flea in his ear about the orders l
had"
Good heavens. woman fairly groaned
the chief, you'll ruin me. An insult to
that man is worth my place. Why
didn't you let me know he was here2"
Il had no orders to that effect" she
said, with a pretty tiger skin smile.
You said send them away, and I'm send
ing them away as fast as they arrive.
There comes Col. D. now; step into the
next room and watch me obey orders"
But he did nothing of. the sort. On the
contrary he assisted" her in receiving
the colonel. and he not only did that, but
he changed her desk to where she would
have more room for her distinguished
visitors, gave her easier work to do, and
in dozen deferential ways let her see
that he had picked up the wrong humble
bee, and that he was perfectly willing to
put it down again and give it a honey
suckle to roost in if it wanted it.
Everything is going along lovely in that
Office now, and one bright witted woman
is boss Of her boss, and he submits like
little man, because he knows she has too
much sense to abuse her position, and she
does not presume upon her power. All
she asked was her rights, and she got
them. -.
A certain head of o department in
Washington was at one time auditor Of
his native state, and his friends proposed
to run him for governor, to succeed u gen
tleman who was very fat and comfortable.
He discussed the matter with his family
and decided that as the work was very
much easier-there was more time at his
dispOsal-and the honors greater, he
would accept. While the matter was un-
der advisement his son, a very bright
seven-year-old, who knew the difference
hot or,I
tleman one day on train and the two
became friends and proceeded to discover
their respective identities. The gentle
man had been attracted to the boy by
hearing him explaining various things to
his little sister, so his questions were
rather of character to draw the young
ster out.
What is your name?" he asked, after
confidence was established
Harry Brown, replied the boy.
Where do you liver"
"Blankville."
That's the capital Of the state, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir.
what is the capitals"
The boy hesitated.
cts where the state house is"
what is your fathers manner"
Col Brown. He's the auditor Of the
state, he is"
"Ah, yes, know him. Do you know
who the governor of your state isl
Yes, Sir. Thomas jefferson Johnson.
He's governor.
"And what is q governors"
The boy thought quite long while, but
the answer came to him out of the dis
cussion he had heard between his father
and mother on the subject.
"a governor" he said softly, els a
large portion of flesh and blood that sits
in the governors chair and doesn't work
half as hard as the auditor"
This startling answer paralyzed the
gentleman. and confessing to the boy that
he was member Of congress from his
state lac invited him if he ever came to
Washington to come to the house and call
him out. The gentleman is still in the
house but the boy has not yet been to sec
him. MARY JANE.