The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-16

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~ 90 " politics but in other
VI n pursuits was to secure
Ee%@ the possession of go
| k[S3H w - good pull and plenty
WHO of gall" Many men
Ny there are who have
~ = learned this lesson be.
~ sides that man who
y gained the Mayoralty
through his discov.
cry Of the secret.
But perhaps the most conspicuous of those
who have gained smaller successes is that
local chieftain of the East Side who is known
to his friends as the Orator" In his case the
possession of the attribute which is colloqui-
ally known as gall was the result Of severe
self.discipline. for he was modest man in his
earlier days, and moreover of somewhat pious
inclination. But the pull with which he first
established himself was not that moral and
subtle influence which arises from sense of
favors given and yet to be given, but was an
actual pull, with no sense of slang intended in
the use of the word.
The Orator sat upon q high stool one evening
some years ago in the little closet back of the
College, which was the dignfed appellation
which appeared on the curtain which concealed
the eer-pump, the cracker bowl and cheese
platter, and the rows of dingy bottles which
were the inspiriting insignia of this East Side
College. Moreover, they furnished, backed by
q license the Orator with living. The closet
at the rear was dedicated to intellectual re-
pasts while the saloon gave bodily entertain
ment, at 10 cents glass, for the Orators nu-
merous friends in the ward When the inspir-
alton seized him the Orator would retire to his
closet perch himself upon his high stool, and
you could hear him muttcring rhythmic
phrases and rolling ont long words as he tested
with his ear the melody of the sentences which
he was putting upon paper. Thus he composed
speeches for the distinguished guests at East
Side receptions, target.shOots and chowder
parties, But his great work was the compost
ton of speech upon which he had been en-
gagged for several years. and which at some
time in the dim future he hoped to deliver in
accepting an unexpected nomination for Con-
gress, or perhaps for Alderman.
The Orator was just composing sentence
reading somewhat as follows: And SO, my
enlightened and freedom. blessed fellow-citi-
zens of the land over which the starry banner
floats, Tapping nowhere more vigorously than
over the steeples and cupalos of the old Sixth
Ward" when the Orator thought he heard
sound of interruption. He frowned, put the
spectacles down to the tip of his nose, lifted
himself SO that he stood upon the rounds of
the stool, and glared over the top Of his high
desk, when Of a sudden sweet and pleasing
smile came to his lips as no said: "Ah, Mary,
my dear, thought it was one Of the heelers
coming to disturb me in my precious moments.
But what is the matter, my child2 There is
tear in your eye and your chin is quiverine."
"Oh, Mr.. Clancarty," said the girl "my
heart is broke, my heart is broke"
The Orator dismounted. and taking Mary by
the hand led her to his parlors, which were up
stairs and calling Mrs. Clancarty, said: "This
child is in trouble. ] never saw the tear on
her cheek before. Tell US what it Is that aiis
you, Mary"
well, it's this way" said Mary, and as she
looked up at Mrs. Clancarty she revealed az
pretty pair of blue eyes and as rosy pair of
cheeks as were ever seen on Fifth Avenue on
Sunday afternoon: Father Is that sick with
sciatic rheumatism that he screams all day with
pain and means all night, for the election is at
hand and the boss says he must carry the dis
trict by $50 or he loses his place in the Street
Department. But that amt the worst" Here
the girl began TO cry go that for five minutes or
more Mrs. Clanearty was almost beside herself
failing to soothe the weeping maiden, and the
Orator himself was in despair, for the girl
seemed not to heed his gentle supplication to
dry her tears Or to care for his warning that
tears, unless they are shed for the dead, spoil
the complexion.
At last, the girl having overcome her parox-
ysm, began to fan herself vigorously with her
hat and with staecato-like utterance, she
said:
VII, yOh BOO DIl. SihuSdityy thGe AatuOl
got George appointed on the force. You know.
Mrs. Clancarty, that George has been my steady
for year."
Indeed do, Mary, and It's been q wonder
to mo and Mr.. Clancarty that you should have
taken up with greenhorn who came from
Utkay when there's 50 many fne-favored
young men in the ward who'd cut off their
right hand to have you, Mary"
well, now, Dir. Clancarty," Mary continued,
6if want GeorDa n nd GanrOa wanta me TN ats
between us, amt it, SO long as father Is will
ing? And it was Georges uncle up in Albany
who got the bill through the Assembly for
father last year. He's no dude with Prince
Albert coat and spring bottom pants and if he
gets on to the force he'll be Captain within a
year, and superintendent when Walling dies"
Here Mrs. Cancarty was about to renew the
in favor of the young men Of tho
ward, but the Orator interfered.
"Surely, my darling" he said, George is
q fine fellow who knows the speeches of the
great men of Utikay by heart, and many's the
hour spent with him discussing the orators
Of the past and future, and if Mary casts her
eye upon him with favor surely It's her right
and who are we that we should interfere when
her father does not say nay to itP Go on,
Mary, my dear, tell US your trouble"
Mary cast look of gratitude at the Orator,
and glance Of proper resentment at Mrs.
Clancarty, for she knew we'll that Clancarty's
wife had In mind particular young man Of
the ward who was her own nephew. Then the
girl went on. YES, father got George ap-
pointed on the force. His recommends were
fine and didn't Boss Kelly himself 90 bail by
word of mouth for him. But they took George
into a big room and they were indecent with
him, for they made him fake Off every rag he
had upon his body and put him up against the
wall" Els
ayes, and finer man they never saw, Pm
wsging," said the Orator. 1--WE seen the mus
Gle of his arm and it's like backsmith's. He
can lift barrel Of -four and he can run like
deer. Surely the doctors passed him, and
Mary, you must take no effense, for it is one of
the rules of the Department that before man
puts on the uniform and swings the club the
doctors shall see him as God made him, for in
these days of fine clothes many skeleton man
is made to look like one of strength"
But the doctors wouldn't have him, Mr..
Clsncarty. They gave him all manner Of
praise, but they said that he was too short"
"Too short!" said the Orator. what are his
Dimensions in hight? Surely he is as tall as
OConnor, the detective sergeant. aud he cap
tured the Northampton burglars"
"Ihey measured him in his bare feet with
his head against the wall and q yard-stck on
top OF it, and the doctors said he was but five |
feet FIVE"
The Orator seemed puzzled. He tugged at |
his black chin-whskers and unused. gazing |
with q dreamy expression at Mary for many |
At last he said: "The rules of the |
Department, Mary, are more rigid than Tam
many law, and no man can stand on tiptoe and |
be measured onto the police force. Five foot |
Six Is the law, and they say George is only i've |