Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-12-07
HE GOT A CLERKSHIP
THE SENATOR MADE A BLUNDER BY
WHICH TIE APPLICANT PRoFlTED.

When Senator Blank wanted Anything
From Secretary Chandler, lie Wanted
Down Easy and Remained.
Back in the seventies, when Zach
Chandler was at the head Of the interior
department, a young man from one of
the western states came to Washington
10 try clerical life il 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 tho 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 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, / 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 s
O'Clock tonight, . said the senator, "and
We II 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, Mr.. --i was
just thinking of you,'' said Senator
Blank. II have written strong letter
to Secretary Chandler, requesting him
to give you position in the interior
department'-picking up an unsealed
letter from bis desk and handing it to
the young office seeker-"and 1 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 senator's letter, and pull
ed it out Of his pocket and read:
DEAR CHANDLHR-some time tomorrow
rious state VIII call on you with strong in
dorsemen5 from me for clerlsship. 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 pockst Il wonder what he said
in the little note he mailed to the secre-
tary?" thought the young candidate.
Then be realized thai 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 colered messenger showed 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 letter ard CHANGING over it. "The
senator speaks of you in the highest
terms, and is very urgent in his request
for your appointment. Wait a moment. -
And touching bell he sent his messen-
ger for the chief clerk After 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
in the corridor met the new clerk in 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.
well, I'm glad to be here" respond
ed tho clerk And, senator, putting
his hand inside his vest and looking
squarely in the others eye, fright in
my inside pocket l keep that little per-
sonal note you thought you mailed to
Secretary Chandler, telling him when
you wanted 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 81 500 a year, -Washingtou Star.