The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-12-05
HE GOT A CLERKSHIP
THE SENATOR MADE A 6LUNDER BY
WHICH THE APPLICANT pROFlTED.

From Secretary Chandler, He Wanted
1t Bad-How the Young Man Was Let
Down Easy and Remained.
Back in the seventies, when Zach
Chandler was at the head of the interior
department young man from one of
the western states came to Washington
to try clerical life in one of the depart
ments. He had been quite a ward poll
tician in his western home and imagined
both the senators from his state would
be glad to do him a favor. He spent
several days taking in the sights of the
capital, then went up to the senate one
afternoon and sent in his card to Sena-
tor Blank The senator responded
promptly, had the visitor shown into
the marble room, and for some time
they sat on a sofa together, talking of
home news and the home crops. Then
the young man broke the ice by inform
ing the senator just what kind Of place
he wanted-didn t care much what de-
partment it was in.
Well l don't know, r" said the sena-
tor. ''Such places are not to be found
every day, and there are hundreds here
from about every state in the Union
looking for almost anything in the shape
of an appointment.
Come up to my house about S
o'clock tonight, said the senator, land
We'll talk the matter over.
Promptly at the appointed time he
pulled the doorbell and was ushered in
to the library, where he found the sen
ator putting a cigar and looking over
The Evening Star.
"Ah, good evening M. - l vas
just thinking of you" said Senator
Blank. 81 have written strong letter
to Secretary Chandler, requesting him
to give you position i'll the interior
department picking up an unsealed
letter from his desk and handing it TO
the young office seeker-"and | would
suggest that You call at his office and
present it about 10 O'Clock tomorrow
morning have also mailed the secre-
tary little personal note, letting him
know that when / want anything in his
office | want it bad. -
The young westerner was bowed out
of the room with smiles and hearty
handshake. At his hotel he sat down to
think over his good luck. Then he
thought of the senators letter. and pull
ed it out of his pocket and read:
DEAR CHANDLER-Some time tomorrow
morning young citizen of my great and glo-
rious state will call you with "A strong in
dorsement from me for clerkship. have no
earthly interest in him, so turn him over to
your tender mercy. Let him down easy.
Yours, BLANK.
The young man dropped the letter, and
big sigh struggled up from under his
watch pocket II wonder what he said
in the little note he mailed to the secre-
tary?' thought the young candidate.
Then he realized that the senator had
given him the wrong letter, and he at
once determined to call at the interior
department the next morning and see
what the next chapter would bring forth
About 10 o'clock the next forenoon
the colored messenger showed a young
man into Secretary Chambers office.
Senator Blank told me last night he
had written you and advised me to call
on you this morning." said the young
gentleman.
"Ah, yes" smiled the secretary good
naturally, picking up from his desk an
open lettor and glancing over it. THE
senator speaks Of you in the highest
terms and Is very urgent in his request
for your appointment. Wait d moment. "
And touching bell he sent his messen.
ger for the chief clerk. After a mo-
ment s conversation with the chief clerk
the secretary said:
You are fortunate. There is a 81, 200
clerkship made vacant by resignation
this morning, and have ordered your
appointment to the place. "
A month later Senator Blank was
walking through the patent office, and
III the corridor met the new clerk III his
office coat The senator was surprised
and a trifle disconnected, but he shook
hands with his young friend and said he
was glad to see him there.
We'll, I'm glad to be here, respond
ed the clerk And, senator" putting
his hand inside his vest and looking
squarely in the others eye, right In
my inside pocket keep that little per
sonal note you thought you mailed TO
Secretary Chandler, telling him when
you wanted a thing you wanted it bad. "
Explanations were unnecessary The
senator went out of public life and died
long ago, but the clerk manages to
squeeze along through the hard times ON
his 81 800 year Washington Star.