The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1890-12-27
wAsHINGTONs POVERTY.
a SAD STONY OFTEN REPEAT
Ed THERE.



nameP No matter about that The
metropolitan papers did not mention
IL The associated press took no
notice Of his exit. Tho busy. selfish
swarm that GIBBS apdyffows unceasing-
ly over the tiled floors and through
tie noble corridors never paused an
instant to regret that one OF their
number had fallen by Che wayside and
laid down the burden OF life. The man
who died was but an atom in the mass,
an insect in swarm. Yet he was a
man OF superior talents and he had q
history, oh so sad and pathetic, which
ought to be written and published as
warning to the thousands OF young
men who leave comfortable homes and
bright individual careers to seek
official positions under the govern
ment.
A brief outline Of this unfortunate
mau's struggle, failure and death
must suffice. The reader may supply
the omissions. not overlooking the
hope renewed each day, the torture Of
anxiety, the despair which finally ex-
tinguished expectation and left moth
ing In life for which to struggle.
This numeless man had been q po-
tent factor in the local politics OF the
town where 10 lived somewhere in
Central illinois or Indiana the annals
OF the national Capitol are not clear on
that point nor does il matter. He
was competent physician, scholar
and evidently gentleman, unassum-
ing, dignified and on-communicative
For years he held lucrative position
as chief surgeon in the employ Of n
riilrord company. and enjoyed a wide
acquaintance with public men. Like
many others he anted to see more of
the world and when the Cleveland
administration came into power he was
in Washington, well supplied with in
dorsements for II high Office. 1t is
said that he aspired to u foreign mis-
sion. 1t did not reach him. There
were not enough TO 60 round. Then
he decided to accept the next lower
rank, that OF consul-general. He
waited in vain. A first rate consulate
was tried next and after nearly year
OF waiting that was denied him. His
funds were running low and doubtless
his frame OF mind became SO meek that
he would take anything.
1t is said that place was finally
offered him in Washington, with fair
salary. He FASTENED home. packed his
household goods and removed his wife
and babies to the capital, only to find
that some other man had meanwhile
been given the Office he had hoped to
obtain. But he was possessed OF a
great incomprehensibl stock OF
patience, aud ne decided to wait for
something else.
He rented a modest residence on a
good street, paying $40 month while
his money lasted. Then he no longer
paid anything. The Office for which
he waited was as far away as ever,
but his landlord came frequently TO
see him. and he, being an honorable
gentleman, gave him mortgage on
the home out In Illinois. The land
lord WIS likewise grocer and sup
piled his table for year or two on
the strength OF the mortgage, but
finally told the tenant that he must
move. Where? He had no idea, but
all would be made square when he
got his appointment The Cleveland
administration was nearing its end, and
when Harrison was elected the man
from Illinois or Indiana was still with
out an office. Then occurred an Incl
dent which sounds like fiction. but Il
Is strictly true. The landlord rented
a smaller, cheaper house, paid two
this rent in advance and moved his
tenant, wife, babies and chattels into
it, telling him kindly that he must
now look out for himself. The mort.
gage on the home in Illinois was fore.
closed and the place sold. bringing
S275 III excess OF the mortgage aud ex
| penses, but he owed his landlord more
than $500. Instead OF keeping the
$275 TO apply on his bill. that landlord
actually took the whole amount ant
| gave it TO the wife OF his ex-tenant
Was there eve ran Other like himp
The man from Illinois or Indian,
still hopelessly sought work. Non,
came his way. He sought to practic,
his profession. but no one was sicl
enough to need his services, ant
finally he became guide in the Capt.
tol. Tor which he ought to be well fitted
by four years OF tramping through
those halls. He picked up littl,
money this way, but keen observe
would notice that he Qlided about tn
building with averted face, ashamed Il
have his congressional friends per
ceive the straits into which he ha,
fallen. He was too honest and diff
dent to make a success OF his new call
ing. and. worst OF all he began to dull
his despair with opium.
The end came few days ago. H
was dead. No inquest was need ed
but the verdict should have been
died OF Office seeking. resulting in
broker heart"
| The wife OF his former landlord, VIII