Evening star., 1895-10-12
THE SENATOR'S BLUNDER.
How He Unintentionnlly Secured
Clcrkship for Constituent.


Back in the 70s, when the Mr.. 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 ere of the departments. He
had peen quite q ward politician in his
western home, and imagined both the Sen
ators 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 end sent in
his card to Senator 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 informing the Sen
ator just what kind Of a place he wanted
didn't care much what department it was
in.
well, 1 don't know said the Senator
''Such places are not to be found every
day. and there are hundreds here from
about every state Ia the Union looking for
almost anything in the shape of an ap-
pointment.
Come up to my house about o'clock to-
night" said the Senator, land We'll talk
the matter over
Promptly at the appointed time he pulled
the door bell and was ushered into the Ii
brary, where he found the Senator putting
a cigar and looking over The Evening
Star
"Ah! good evening, Mr. -: I was just
thinking CT you, said Senator Blank. Il
have written a strong letter to Secretary
Chandler requesting him to give you a
position in the Interior Department'-pick-
ing up an unsealed letter from his desk and
handing 1t to the young office seeker, land
l would suggest that you call at his office
and present it about 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. have also mailed the Secretary
a little personal tote, letting him know
that when l want anything in his office
l want it bad
The young westerner was bowed out of
the room with smiles and hearty hand
shake. At his hotel he sat down to think
over his good luck; then he Thought of the
Senator's letter, and pulled it out of his
pocket and read:
Dear Chandler: Some time tomorrow
morning young citizen of my great ami
glorious state will call on you with
strong Endorsement from me for clerk
ship. l have no earthly interest in him, so
l 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. Il wonder what he said in the
little note he mailed to the Secretary"
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
About 10 o'clock the next forenoon the
colored messenger showed a young man
into Secretary Chsndler's 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
laturedly, picking up from his desk an
open letter and glancins over it, THE
Senator speaks of you in the highest terms,
and is very urgent in his request for youl.
appointment Wait a moment" and touch
ing bell he sent his messenger for the
chief clerk. After moments conversa-
ton with the chief clerk. the Secretary
said: .t.,-
You are fortunate. There is a twelve
hundred dollar clerkship made vacant by
resignation this morning, and have order
ed your appointment to the place"
A month later Senator Blank was walk
ilg through the patent office, and In the
corridor met the new clerk in his office
coat. The Senator was surprised and a
trif1e 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" responded
the clerk. And Senator" putting his hand
inside his vest and looking squarely in the
others eye. right in my inside pocket 1
keep that little personal note you thought
you mailed tc Secretary Chandler, telling
him when you wanted thing you wanted
1T 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 eigh-
teen hundred a year.