Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-05-23

means OF the Telegraph was euapicu
to secure satisfactory references, even
for that particular and pampered class,
Washington landladies.
On the Monday folio wing I went to
building on Tenth street, think the
same one where President Lincoln was
carried mortally wounded; if not, it
was next d oor to it-where the exam
nations were held. In answer to my
rap was admitted to long, low
ceiled room filled with writing tables
and cha irs. At one of these tables
two ladies were busily bending over
pen and ink, evidently undergoing the
ordeal through which must pass. A
short, stout gentleman with pair of
large green glasses surmounting his
nose looked over my paper OF appoint
mcnt, and giving me chair at one of
the vacant desks. put before ne some
printed questions. l think I passed
crcditably, for was not requested to
rewrite or given any hints, as one of
the other two was.
While my papers were being folded
and written upon l looked with Curl
o'ity at my comrades. One was un-
doubtedly ttschoolmarm." 1tshowed
for itself in many ways. Tall, thin,
plain, with an intellectual face. She
wrote carefully and without study her
answers TO the questions and folded her
papers with precision aud neatncss
that spoke we'll for any work entrusted
to her. and made me feel green with
envy. Both ladie, had reached that
stage in life called one of ''uncertain
age" Why uncertain could never see
plainly. But the other writer interest
cd me. A lady without doubt; once
"of the world" but of it no more, was
written plainly on the strong, thought
full face and in the dignifi ID, queenly
figure. Age and care had lined the
once handsome face and whitened the
hair. Later l learned her history
and that my surmises were correct.
BY stroke of fate our desks were next
to each other for many months and
through her eventually my life's story
was changed. She was the widow of
once noted army officer. Through the
car elessness of trustees her fortune was
swept away. The same government
that honored her hus band while living
soon gave her means of earning L
bread. A bill had been introduced in
congress to give her suitable pension,
but was delayed and seemed almost
hopelessly cast aside. Later it was
granted and she gladly resigned her
position to Others more needy and less
interesting.
We all three left that building and
went to the pension Office on Twelfth
street. 1t was relief to me to be
with the two older ladies, and they
both assumed a care and helpfulness
that have never ceased 10 remember
gratefully. Another office, with several
desks. occupied by men busily writing
and messengers coming in and going
out, carrying papers. We waited some
time, and at last, our papers being seen
and approved, we were given cards,
with our name and number of building
and room thereon. The school
teacher" said '.good- by" and went to
another building, while the other lady
and myself followed messenger up
fight of stairs and into large, we'll
lighted room. 1t was filed with desks,
men, women and chairs, and all swan
in confused circle before my fright
cned eyes. In moment of composure
began counting, and found that th ere
were eighty clerks assigned in this
room. seventy of whom were men and
ten women. The desks were arranged
in rows, as at school, eight rows, with
six in row.
The ladies (all, with one exception,
looked like ladics) had the lightest,
warmest side of the room and were in
row by themselves. The scratch of
pens, or rafting of papers, with an oc-
casional subdued remark. was all that
broke the silence. At the end of the
room and facing the Others were the
desks of the Chief and Assistant Chief
of the division. ] almost expected to
sec apples, knives aud marbles there; it
seemed like 'grown-up" school-room
over which two teachers presided. A
soldierly looking gentleman came for
ward, and offering chairs, looked at