Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-29
The SENATOR'S sLuMDER.

The SENATOR'S eLuNDER.
Row He Enthusiastically secured q
CleFkship for . Constituent.
Back In the '70s. when Zach Chand.
er was At the head Of the Interior De-
,artment, q young man from one Of the
Western States came to Washington
% try clerical life In one Of the depart
nents, says . writer in the Washington
star. He had been quite Q ward poll
ician in his Western home and imag-
ned both the Senators from his State
would be glad to do him q favor. He
spent several days taking in the sights
It the capital, then went up to the Sen
lte one afternoon and sent up his card
% Senator Blank. The Senator re-
'ponded promptly. had the visitor
shown into the marble room, and for
ZONE time they sat on the sofa to-
yether. talking of home news and home
.rops. Then the young man broke the
ce by informing the Senator just what
Kind Of q place he wanted-didn't care
much what department 1t was In.
'Well, don't know" said the 6ena-
or. "Such places are not to be found
svery day. and there are hundreds here
from about every State in the Union
boxing for almost anything In the
Ihape Of an appointment.
Come up to my house about 8 o'clock
o-night," said the Senator. 'and we'll
ak the matter oyee."
Promptly At the appointed time he
o the library. where he found the Sen
itor putting a cigar and looking over
he evening paper.
"Ah. good evening, Mr.. -: I was
lust thinking Of you" said Senator
Blank. II have written q strong letter
% Secretary Chandler requesting him
% give you q position In the Interior
Department"-picking up an unsealed
etter from his desk and handing II to
he young office seeker-'and I would
uggest that you call at his Office and
present 1t about 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. l have also mailed the Secre-
ary a little personal note, letting him
know that when I want anything in his
bfice l want II bad"
The young Westerner was bowed out
# the room with smiles and a hearty
landshake. At his hotel he sat down
o think over his good luck: then he
:hought Of the Senator's letter and
pulled 1t out of his pocket and read:
Dear Chandler-Some time to-mor-
:ow morning a young citizen Of my
great and glorious State will call on you
with a strong Endorsement from me for
l clerkship. have no earthly interest
n him, SO turn him over to your ten
Ter mercy. Let him down easy. Yours,
BLANK"
The young man dropped the letter.
ind big sigh struggled up from un-
Ter his watch pocket. Il wonder what
he said in the little note he mailed to
he Secretary!" thought the young can
iidate. Then he realized that the Sen
itor had given him the wrong letter,
Ind he at once determined to call at
he Interior Department the next morn.
ng and see what the next chapter
would bring forth.
About 10 O'Clock the next forenoon
he cOlored messenger showed the
7oung man into Secretary Chandler's
,ffice.
Senator Blank told me last night he
ad written you and advised me to call
N you this morning." said the young
,entleman.
"Ah, yes" smiled the Secretary, good
picking up from his desk an
pen letter and glancing over 1t. "The !
senator speaks Of you in the highest
erms, and is very urgent In his re.
luest for your appointment Wait n
and. touching a bell he sent
lis messenger for the chief clerk. After
! moments conversation with the chief |
Jerk the Secretary said:
"You are fortunate. There is a ST.
90 cierkship made vacant by resisna-
ion this morning, and 1 have ordered
our appointment to the place"
A month later Senator Blank was
Walking through the patent office, and
n the corridor met the new clerk in his |
flee coat. The Senator was surprised |
nd a trifle disconnected, but he shook |
ands with his young friend and said |
e was glad to see him there.
"Well, I'm glad to be here" respond
d the clerk. And, Senator" putting l
is hand inside his vest and looking |
quarely in the others eye, right In nv
inside pocket keep that little personal
ote you thought you mailed to Secre-
ho ond1or n
1anted thing you wanted 1t bad"
Explanations were unnecessary. The
enator went out Of public life and died
,ng ago, but the clerk manages to
queeze along through the hard timer
q his 81 800 a year.