The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-08-04
HIS APPOINTMENT.
EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES OF A
SEEKER AFTER OFFICE.

the Consul at Tingaiing Had Some Difficult
~ In Locating His Post and In Ascertain
ing What His Salary was-Became Pop
ular While waiting at the Capital.
In this matter of fact narrative dates
ore not important. 1t makes no difference
to the reader whether the following inci-
dents occurred this year or ten years ago.
When l made up my mind to apply for
federal office, went out of business and
devoted my entire time TO the matter In
hand. Everybody signed my application,
and my congressman was confident that
1t would be successful had worked hard
for the administration, and the leaders Of
my party said that my services deserved
some recognition.
Three months rolled by and found that
no progress had been made. My congress
man wrote to me frequently, and the pres
ident replied encouragingly to one of my
letters. But my appointment was delayed,
and In the meantime was using up my
small capital.
My friends advised me to go to Wash
ington, where 1 could push my interests
better, and as this seemed reasonable 1
packed up and went to the Capital City.
In very short time / was on intimate
terms with hundreds of politicians and Of
fceholders. My intercourse with them
was very pleasant They all took an &C.
tive interest in my appointment and talk
ed 1t over with me at our lunches and sup
pers.
OF course footed the bills for these lit
tile outings.
AT the end of two months my congress
man rushed into my room one day in q
state of excitement
Here Is your appointment, he said
hurriedly, land can tell you that 1t took
slick work to get 1t. You will never know,
old fellow, how much / went through 70
get 1t for you
L thanked him nervously and opened
the big document. 1t was my commission
as consul at Tingaling.
For five minutes l glanced over the pa
per In silence, and then ventured a ques-
tion.
Colonel, would like to know why
this place was given to me instead of the
post asked forp'
Because you were considered the best
man for 1t, was the reply Il am not at
liberty to say more.
This was complimentary and 1 felt
grateful to the administration for studying
my case SO closely.
How much rs the salary" was my
next question.
ooh, 1 don't know" was the answer,
4.ssh asss will be 81. FL Fight I must go to the
hodfss5 nov See you later " 'f'-i-.
Hold on, colonel, I shouted. Where
is Tingalingf'
Such o question: replied the colonel
with laugh. Don't ask it again. Every
body knows where Tingaling Is :"
He walked off before could say anoth-
er word, and l at once got my atlas and
tried to hunt up my new post. A search
Of two hours failed to find it on any map,
and 1 closed the book without knowing
whether my consulate was in Europe,
Asia, Africa or South America.
This was disappointing, but felt better
when the afternoon papers came out. They
announced my appointment and said very
nice things about me- None of them, how
ever, stated where Tingaling was located.
The next day called at the state de-
partment and went through the usual
formalities made necessary by my COM
mission.
"By the way, where is Tingaling?"
asked the secretary.
He looked at me thoughtfully for a mo-
ment.
well, that is singular question" he
sold. Everybody ought to know where
1t is. Your commission tells you"
mo, 1t says Tingaling, island Of Ting
aling"
* clerical oversight" said the score
tary. "We'll have 1t corrected when Nc
Gosh returns"
what Is the salary, Mr.. Secretary"
II don't know, but that will be all
right. When McGosh returns next week,
he will tell you all about it
The great man waved his hand, and I
took my departure.
All that week haunted the hotels and
newspaper offices, asking for information
about Tingaling. Nobody knew anything
dsflniter and all agreed that would have
to wait for McGosh.
Once In my desperation I visited the
president. I thanked hirp for my appoint
ment and begged him to tell me where
was 30 go.
He looked at me IN establishment
You will get your instructions at the
state department., he answered CURLY.
I left, more perplexed than ever, but that
very day was lucky enough to meet q
sea captain who knew the location of
| Tingalang. He informed me that the is-
land was on the coast of China and was
claimed by both the French and Chinese.
The French gave 1t q different name, and
that was why had failed to find 1t on the
map. This was also the reason why so lit
tie was known about 1t at the state de-
partment.
McGosh returned the following week,
and oorpered him.
"Tingaling" he said, belongs to
France one day and China the next. The
next steamer will let us know its present
status You are TO be congratulated. The
island has delightful climate, and the
natives live to be 100 years old. "
And the salary"
II will find out Cali again next week. "
McGosh made me feel better, and dur
ing the next few days lunched my friends
and had good time The newspapers had
a good deal to say about the new consul
at TingalinS, and altogether I enjoyed
myself and began to appreciate my posi-
| tion.
My second visit to McGosh rudely end
ed my pleasant dream. This time he was
very cold and businesslike.
"You are expected to leave next week
for Tingaling," he said. Your post pays
no salary, but the fees amount to about
$50 year. You can live on that II you
| follow the custOms of the natives, The