The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-16

nee toned them DOWN TO SOBER ClutS. neg
lar in his Office hours, provokingly slow
1t more trustworthy than clockwork and
|ner than steel, such is the colonel or
|udge'' who has been government clerk
r twenty, thirty or even fifty years. There
little danger Of his being dismissed.
Then he shall have become feeble and use
be- he will still drag himself down to the
Fpartment every morning, still will draw
8 salary, still will wear his look of re-
possibility when strangers eyes are
the department. entrance shall miss the
|3oping figure and his quavering Good
|orning," every one will know that he has
ssed the portals of the great department.,
here there are no desks, no lazy negro
|essengers, no Grabbed chiefs, no long and
barry Office hours, but where every day is
gal holiday, and where all men are pro-
'oted and none discharged.
THE young fellow who shares the JUDGES
|ice, like Dick swiveller, wears shooting
cket as an Office coat, smokes cigarettes
Instantly, receives visits which he does
Il relish from his tailor's collector, and
mail consists chiefly of duns. He spends
ach time in preparing to 20 home and
ayes his Office promptly at four O'Clock,
ke Charles Lamb, to offset the irregularity
tn which he arrives every morning. He
YES cravats and pins and the theater, and
sometimes takes q ''lady friend'' out
+uqQy riding" When he walks the halls
his department. he tries to look as though
was mere visitor. yet he is proud of his
lployment, and after he shall have become
is restless in spirit, shall have been better
oxen to harness, he will make good
srk, and strongly suspect that the old
lge, or colonel, was like him in his younger
In the next room we see different being
middle-aged, rusty, barely respectable. q
ill-educated and ill-trained, and treats
% work Of the government very much as
would treat the digging of potatoes "a
ing that must be gone at Justify, with the
at off and the hat on. Capitalization, as
9 civil service commission love to call it,
is learning, but, after the manner Of the
mortal Cobbett, he persists in regarding
me of the people," and he looks with dis
vor upon the college bred man." Yet
means well-means 80 we'll, in fact, that
is often left undisturbed in q position
: which his intelligence and knowledge
p inadequate.
but now let us look upon his colleague,
ID here must ask you to pause moment,
: this is the type of government clerk
lom protest love. Young, middle-aged
old, it makes no difference, for the posi-
on that he may hold as an old man is the
'sitlon that he has held ever since he was
man. He is real, bona fide swell. He
es not write very good hand-a gentle
an should not. He is, perhaps, rather
reless in his work-he has other things to
ink of. If you want information about
e department he is in would not advise
y to question him, but if you want an in
cation to german go to him by all means.
s official position Is incidental. His real
70 is in Society" No secretary dares to
is true; may be he has poor opinion of
m, but he always asks him to his parties.
is as much Of Q necessity there as a
nch-bowl or bouquet He is a
man, this fellow, no vulgar bar-room
mixer. He may be stupid, or he may be
sver- generally he strikes genteel medi-
p between the two-but his position is the
me. During "the season. be is sleepy by
ylight and mods over his desk, but when
crested note is handed him by Miss
oesus' messenger he wakes sufficiently to
.awl an acceptance of the invitation it
nveys. Age cannot wither his prestige
= custom stale the distinction which his
essence adds to the drawing room. have
own him to get married, but since the
vernment began there have been but three
ses of the government clerk of this class
mmitting such an indiscretion. OF course
% three married rich girls, and, resipninp
cir positions, lived miserably upon theil
YES ever afterward-and just consider the
dependence that they lost!
If Sam Weller's inquiry az to what be.
mes Of old post-boys and donkeys was a
hcult one to answer, it is still harder &c
y what becomes of the government clerl
10 is discharged. He hangs around his
partment seeking reinstatement. He
sms to have become absolutely dependent
on the government. and to expect EN-.
oyment from no other source. Sometimes
gets desperate and commits suicide
are have been several cases of this kind to
rnish grim dreams to disturb the spoil
an's rest-sometimes he dies from sheet
ief and hopelessness-and the cases OF
lis character are painfully frequent; bu'
nat becomes of him when he isn't restored
d doesn't die is mystery indeed. HI
AXIS out of sight, new clerk has hi
ace, the waters of official life close owe
head. and he is forgotten.