Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-23

slider to appreciate the perfect order, per-
haps / might say symmetry, of the civil
service and Mr.. Perkins spoke with tone
of condescenson as to a little child. The
head goes himself to the one sIb-depart-
ment in the morning and to the other in
the afternoon, and he acts with absolute
impartiality.
why, sir'-Mr. Perkins began to warm
and grow enthusiastically have received a
letter from the other sub-department Sc
verely criticising a draft ne had highly
commended in ours two days before, and
1 saw his hand in the letter-.distinctly; an
able review, too very able, indeed
"'Very we'll put, Perkins, he said to me
himself; they've found the weak points: we
must send an amended draft and SO we
did, and got a very satisfactory reply 1t
was schedule about swine fever 80 in
the Department of Agriculture. l nave had
the pleasure of reading it in public circula-
ton when on my holidays
docs your head sign the letters ad-
dressed to himself?'
Certainly; letters between departments
are always signed by the chief officer" Mr.
Perkins seemed 10 have found another il
lustration of public ignorance, and recog-
nized his duty as a missionary of official
ism. 1T would afford me much pleasure to
give you any information regarding our OK
cellent system, which has been slowly built
up and VIII repay stu ly; but you will cX-
cuse lne this evening, as l am indisposed-
a tendency to SILVER, which annoyed me in
the Office today"
Next morning I rose half an hour late, as
Mr.. Perkins did not take his bath, and was
not surprised when Mrs Holmes came to
my room. Overlooking with concern and dis
connected speech.
les that regular II. is ways that when
'Annah Marian says is water at is door
at s o'clock, 1 went up that 'urried that l
couldn't speak; AMI l ears him speaking
to ITSELF, which is not what you would ex-
pect of him, he being: the qutetest gentle
man as ever"
rs Mr. Perkins i'll, d. you mean?" for
Mrs. Holmes seemed now in fair breath,
and was always given to comparative re-
views
$50 1 knocks and says, Mr. Perkins,
'ow are you feeling? and all l could ear
was temperance it's little as he needs of
that, for excepting a glass of wire at his
dinner, and it might be something 'ot be-
fore SoiI to bed in winter
80 l goes in resumed Mrs. Holmes,
IAN there e was sitting up in is bed. with
is face as red as fire, an not knowing me
from Adam. If 1t wasn't for is 'abits an
a catching of is breath you wud ave said
drink for e says, How often have the
drains been sluiced last year? After
which l went up to Mr.. Perkins room with
out ceremony.
He was explaining. with much cogency, as
it seemed to me- that unless the statistics of
tempera ture embraced the whole year they
W ould afford no reliable conclusions regard
ing the sanitary condition of board schools,
but when l addressed him by name with
emphasis he came to himself with a start.
Excuse me, sir. 1 must apologize
| really did not hear In fact" and
then, as he realized his situation, Mr. Per-
kns wasagreatly embarrassed
Ibid l forget myself so far as to
send for you? = I was not feeling well.
l have a slight difficulty in brea thing, but I
am quite able to go to the office in a
cab.
You are most kind and obliging. but the
schedule l am it just comes and
goes thank you, no more water
7" = is important and intricate;
no one can complete it ex-
cept myself
in a few minutes 49, 10 o'clock dear me
this is most unfortunate not
But the doctor had come, and Mr..
Perkins oheyed on one condition.
Yes, doctor, l prefer, if you please, to
know; YOU see 1 am not a young person
nor nervous thank you very
much quite so; pneumonia is serious
= :" and double pneumonia dangerous, |
understand no, it is not that
one is not alarmed at my age, but
yes, I'll lie down letter must go to
office . dictate 1t to my friend
certain form leave of absence, in
fact trouble you too much
medical certificate"
He was greatly relieved after this letter
was sent by special messenger with the key
of his desk, and quite refreshed when clerk
came up with the chiefs condolences.
my compliments to Mr.. Lighthead
| an excellent young official; very promising
| IL deed and would he step upstairs
| for q minute will excuse this I'M