Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-03-04
p'uAA"-- IN WASHINGTON.
Experience of % Man who Cnmc to Secure
n Government Position,

GONernncnt fOsiilOh'
He sat on Lafayette square bench, says
the Washington critic, wooden tooth pick
held mtditatiyely between his teeth, the
picture Of a club-mnn who had dinod we'll
Shutting down one OF the grayeled paths
was mana tramp. He passed the club
man, eycing him closely, and, hating In the
gloom Of "a nearby tree, looked back 90
whore the club-man sat, and then retraced
his steps.
=" Tsur pardon sir,n the tramp said, in Il
husky voice, "will you give me II little ad-
vice"
Wen, what is III" the club-man asked
"A shade of annoyance showing In his good
natured features, for like most heavy
dincrs, he disliked any thing that suvored
Of business after dinner Besides, he
thought the man but bcggar, and dislikod
his not approaching the matter direrily
I'm take but minute Of your time, sir,
II you'll listen To me. | came 20 Washing
ton two months ago TO get u government
position, As you sec, failed, For the last
eight days up to last night | have been
drunk | have boon drukor all my life,
but never drank 80 much nor so steadily
before. | woke up this morning win the
sun shining Ia my face through the troes
Of u park, My clothes were pawned and
replaced with these rags, my watch, money,
every thing gone for drink
"pld you over have mania-a.potui No;
can see that YOU haven't Well, have.
Two hours ago | felt II coming ON me, You
can see, holding up atromuluus hand, chow
unstruug my nerves are can almost see
the devils now as they tighten their fingers
on my throat, Aud the thirst thirst that
nothing but alcohol will quench You can
49,. d 4 sa
hed, powerless, dead 10 every thing but pain,
whllo lizards, ants, toads, worms, snakes,
every thing Shiny, are twisting, wrigglng,
squirming over you, cumming your eyes
together hllng your ears with horrible
sounds, while every joint in your body is
racked and twisted until It seems
ready 10 come apart Your brain ou tire,
your throat parched and swollen, aud tho
hot, feud breath OF devils In your face as
they taunt YOU with great hagnus of liquor,
held just out OF your reach, God, srl This
and a thousand times this | have felt, aud
feel coming over me agan,
II asked YOU Tor advice Well, I've got a
quarter M my pockeL can get "a bed for a
quarter or can got a pint OF whisky that
Will keep me out OF the rcaCh of these devils
tonight until can get to slcon Hut whrro
would slocpi II get bed can't slcvp
unless have something to drink You SEQ
why asked your advice"
When the tramp began hts story tho club.
man woro a look of woariod lpdiivrvnca,
Bar the tramp talked quickly and eNciJedlV
with lcrty, expressive gestures, his hollow
OWES hAcd on the club mans every look aud
every motlon, lending strength o. what ne
sald, until the club mAn seemed fascinated
As the tramp hnished ho got up from the
bench and shook himself like a man rlddlug
hls mind Of an unpleasant tay dream
ugh, man, you ought Ia hc AN actor
hercs htty cents, No, hesu's dOllat. and,
for Gods sake don't talk 10 me any more
about y0ur dellrium tromens. Ugh"
And tho tramp shutiied on through the
deepening gloom, And. a. be passed into tho
glare of the olectrlo Lights la front ~ tho
rp,asury, the dollar aud the quarter
ilnsled merrlly lR his pocket
l.s Wat aa VA'acluf