Smyrna times., 1895-11-27
THE SMYkN TIMES.
Smyrna, DeI.,
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Nov. 9th, 1895
HE CLERKSH1P
THE SENATOR MADE A 5LUNDER BY
WHICH THE APPLICANT PROFITED.

~
When Senator Blank Wanted Anything
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 ward poll
tician in his western home and imagined
| both the senators from his state would
be glad to do him 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, I don't know" 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 8
o'clock tonight, " said the senator, "and
we'll talk the matter over. F"
Promptly at the appointed time he
pulled the dOorbell and was ushered in
to the library, where he found the sen-
ator putting Il cigar and looking over
The Evening Star.
"Ah, good evening, Mr.. - I was
just thinking Of you" said Senator
Blank. II have written a strong letter
to Secretary Chandler, requesting him
to give you a position in the interior
department picking up AN unsealed
letter from his desk and handing it to
the young Office seel1er-"and I would
suggest that you call at his Office and
present it about 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. 1 have also mailed the secre-
tary a little personal note, letting him
know that when l want anything i'll his
Office l want it bad. "
The young westerner was bowed out
of the room with smiles and hearty
handshake. At his hotel he sat down tC
think over his good luck. Then he
thought of the senator's letter, and pull
ed it out Of his pocket and read:
DEAR CHANDLER-Some time tomorrow
morning a young citizen Of my great and glo
rious state will call on you with strong in
4, cf.fr,V baxTf =,
earthly interest in him, SO l turn him over t
your tender mercy. Let him down easy
Yours, BLANK.
The young man dropped the letter, AM
a big sigh struggled up from under hi
watch pocket. Il wonder what he sal,
in the little note he mailed to the secre
tary?" thought the young candidate
Then he realized that the senator ha
given him the wrong letter, and he q
once determined to call at the interiC
department the next morning and sc
what the next chapter would bring fortE
About 10 o'clock the next forenoo
the colored messenger showed yOun
man into Secretary Chandler's Office.
"Senator Blank told me last night
had written you and advised me to ca
on you this morning." said the youn
4 gentleman.
"Ah, yes, smiled the secretary goC
naturedly, picking up from his desk g
!, open letter and glancing over it. "Tl
g senator speaks of you in the highe
q terms, and is very urgent in his reque
. for your appointment. Wait moment.
: And touching bell he sent his messel
ger for the chief clerk. After a m
- ment's conversation with the chief clel
the secretary said:
"You are fortunate. There is q 81, q
clerkship made vacant by resignatit
this morning, and have ordered yo
appointment to the place"
- A month later Senator Blank W
walking through the patent office, al
in the corridor met the new clerk in
Office coat The senator was surpris
and o trifie disconnected, but he sho
hands with his young friend and said
was glad to see him there.
"Well, I'm glad to be here, - respon
ed the clerk. "And, senator, " putti
his hand inside his vest and looki
squarely in the others eye, fright
my inside pocket keep that little p,
q. sonal note you thought you mailed
Secretary Chandler, telling him VIII
you wanted a thing you wanted it bad
Explanations were unnecessary. I
senator went out of public life and di
long ago, but the clerk manages
squeeze along through the hard times
his 81, 500 a year. Washington Star.