The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-16

Colt agreed with the widow Of his dead
captain to oppose Low for the postoffice
and to divide the emcluments OF the OF
fee il they were successful. Il was felt
that the death on the battlefield Of the
captain would be a strong card 10 win
favor In Washington. This story Of the
widows experience as an ofYice-seeker
Is taken from the diary OF her father,
who accompanied her.
Saturday. July i5-Th.s Is day long
20 be remembered After breakfast Lucy
and / started with trembling hearts for
the presidents mansion. Lucy had a
card all ready and gave ii to the usher.
and we went into the east room 10 wait.
She thought IL quite uncertain as 10 our
getting hearing, and suggested that
try 10 find Mr. Clark. but l did not sue
coed, and when 1 returned could no, find
Lucy, but on inquiry found she had gone
TO the reception room and that none but
ladies were admitted today. This was
gratifying intelligence 10 me. and I re-
turned To the east room TO patiently wait
the result.
After an hour and a ha.s Lucy came
down stairs: her face full of sunshine and
hope. We went out into the grounds.
and she told me with great animation
OF the cordial reception the president gave
her and the warm sympathy OF his feel
ings for her situation. seemed disheart-
ened that the president told her he feared
the appointment had been made two days
ago. This had a saddening effect on
Lucy's hopes, but the president told her
TO so to the postmaster general and In
quire and then return. We walked and
had plenty OF time 10 confer together.
When We reached there Lucy went In
with more confidence than she did to the
president. She was not long in getting
a hearing from Mr.. Denison; though very
polite and gentlemanly. he seemed de-
srous of closing the interview by telling
her the appointment was made to Mr..
Low. Mr.. Burt Van Horn (member OF
congressl had been down and insisted
that the appointment be given TO him:
that IL was their practice TO give to the
men they wished. Altogether Mr.. Deni-
son seemed DESTROYS TO dismiss her. but
she held upon him to get some ray OF
hope. l had waited in the vestibule
nearly an hour when she came out in
deep grief, her eyes red with weeping.
her grief alarmed me, but saw at once
that she was still hopeful, and said she
would see the president again. for he
had told her to come back and see him
after she had seen Mr.. Denison. But
she wanted TO go TO our hotel and wash
away her tears. l urged her right in at
once, telling her that her tears We're the
best argument she could use She con-
sented 10 try IL, and no sooner presented
herself than the ushers told her to walk
right in. as they were so instructed by
the president when she left.
President Johnson Gets . Kiss.
ut was / o'clock WIN she went In the
second time, and the president was at
lunch. He soon came in and went direct
~ to Lucy. and looking earnestly at her.
told her to come into his private ROOM
Here none but private officials are re-
ceived. She was seated by him on sofa:
he sat by her in most confiding and
friendly way; took her by the hand, and
told her to dry her tears: then went into
most minute inquiry all about her hus-
band and children, her parents, brothers
and sisters. how her husband came to go
into the army. and all about his DEATH
hiking his penetrating eyes on her counte-
nance as II to determine whether she
was truthful. He said he was impressed
the first time he saw her: felt that he
had seen her before. and felt that he
was acquainted with her. He could see
by her fingers that she used her needle:
asked she made her chiidren's clothes;
said that was very creditable to her.
Conversation grew very familiar and
Lucy said she felt no more embarrass-
ment in his presence than IL he had been
personal friend or relative. He became
very familiar, and playfully and pleasant
ly asked If he might have kiss. She
told him as president Of the United States
he might. but no other man under pres
eDt circumstances could. Kisses were
exchanged: he said she ought to have
this appointment: that she was compe-
tent for its duties. then asked IL there
was not some other place she would like:
that he wanted to do something to help
her. They spent an hour together and
she often playfully reminded him that
she was occupying too much Of his time.
once one of his secretaries came in and
whispered to him that Gen. Grant wanted
to see him. He said: Let him wait
that he wanted rest, and must turn TO
something agreeable. As this remarkable
interview was about closing he said TO
her: Go to the postmaster general and
tell him il he will reverse this appoint
ment he would indorse it, And then
with hearty kiss and most cordial
God bless YOU she retired from his
presence, feeling that this interview
seemed TO her more like romance than
reality. and 1T must so seem 10 all who
hear the account OF IL. that a young and
inexperienced and artless widow, in hum
BILE life, should have SO fascinated the
president Of the United States as To hold
him an hour in perfect simplicity OF child
hood. Is passing strange.
No Odor of Liquor.
After LuCy's return from the second