The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-19
MARY JAMES LETTER.
She Relates n Number OF Stories Which
Are Said to BE True.
SPECIAL Correspondence.l

toItC1dl tDfifsponucDcfI
WASHINGTON. Aug. 16-I have had
something to say about the women in tho
departments at Washington. and if no
member correctly it made tho woman ap-
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 briar.
with 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 long time
and has grip on her place which is not
likely to be soon shaken off, as ono high
official can testify, who once tried it. 1t
is an example Of womans gentle power
| viii 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 iniiu-
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 10y 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.
"Oh. 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 they?" she asked in.
nocently. II thought they might. from
the way they talked ! was coming in
with them, but you know | couldn't leave
my desk and neglect my duties"
Tho official twisted about uncasily
And by the way" she continued,
Governor Blank was here about an hour
ago, and ! sent him off in five Minutes
with flea in his ear about the orders
had.
Good heavens, woman fairly groaned
The chief. you'll ruin mo. An insult to
that man is worth my place. Why
didn't you let me know he was hereT
II had 10 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 no did nothing of the sort. On the
contrary lac assisted" her in receiving
the colonel, and he not only did that, but
he changed her desk TO where she would
have moro room for her distinguished
visitors, gave her easier work to do, and
In q 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 10 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 o
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 department In
Washington was at one time auditor OF
his native state. and his friends proposed
to run him for governor. to succeed 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-therc was more time at his
disposal-and the honors greater. he
would accept. While the matter was I'M
der advisemcnt his con. very bright
seven-year old, who knew the difference
between governor and auditor. met II gen
tleman one day on train, and tho two
became friends and proceeded TO discover
their respective Identifies. 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 manner" he asked. after
confidence was established.
Harry Brown, replied tho boy.
Where do you liver"
"Blankville.
That's the capital of the state. isn't i'll"
Eyes. sir"
What is the capital'"
The boy hesitated.
"lt's where the state house is.
What is your fathers manner
Col Brown. He's the auditor Of the
state. ne is.
"Ah, yes, know him. Do you know
who the governor of your state Isl
Eyes. sir. Thomas jefferson Johnson. !
He's governor.
and what is o governor
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. sis
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 coniessing to the 10y that |
he was a member of congress from his !
state, he invited him if lie ever came to
Washington to come to the house and call
him out. The gentleman is still i'll the
house but the bow has not vet been to SEQ