The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-02
A Young Lady Whose Light VIII Not
De Hid Under u Basket.

"The most overwhelming display of
nerve that | ever met up with, face to
face" said an official who was connected
with the last census organization from
the start and who is now factor in the
present nucleus of the big 1900 census
force that is to be. was furnished by n
Chicago young woman, n very pretty,
clever and generally prepossessing girl,
who walked into the original Office early
in 1889, when census employees were just
beginning to be selected, and addressed
me thus:
ut is necessary to take an exalana-
tion to get n position on the census force,
isn't it,
"'It s,' said |.
"Wcll' she said, while I don't feel
any doubt about my ability to pass the
examination, | wish you would just let
me have IN exact list Of the questions
that are put to applicants by the cXaln-
incrs ] want to run over them and get
the answers down pat.
~ wiped my glasses and looked the
young woman over carefully.
'Er-isn't that rather an unusual sort
of request! asked her.
"Ies.' she replied. i think it is, but
when so up for the examination | want
to pass with rush. dare say that
could get through it without any trouble
even if | had no previous opportunity to
study up the answers to the questions,
but want to walk through with posi-
lively electrityng speed. For instance,
! understand the examiners nsk appli-
cants how far the moon is from the Cape
of Good Hope We'll, I'd like to have the
list of questions, so that could get some
body to calculate the distance for me and
enable mo to just jot it down without Il
particle of trouble. ] wouldn't care to be
en- n4baTassed by having them ask me how
far the moon was from Cape Horn in
stead. That's why want the exact qucs-
tions. Again, supposing they were to
give me problem something like this in
fractions: "A pole stands Is feet above
the water. II feet in the water. and the
remaining portion of the pole. which is
onc-third Of the whole length. is in the
mud beneath the water. What is the to-
tai length of the po'e?" Well, I'd like to
have thnt all worked out, so that |
wouldn't he subjected to the bother of
having the examiners change the figures
on me-
"'iou are tribe inclined to treat your
self kindly. are you not 2 asked her. try
ing as hard us could not to be sarcas-
tic.
"'Wcll, yes. rather she replied 4 am
going to get into the census bureau some
how Or another, but really prefer the
simplest route. I'd like to be prepared
in advance. It's all very well to go up
before the examiners and bother and ia
tisuc oneself with problems that one has
not got all pat in advance. but I'd really
prefer not to do that unless | have to. OF
course, If have to. I'll do it. But cant
you let ne have the questions in advance
-typcwrltcn, preferabIy-so ! could just
go ahead aud spend Il quiet morning dig
eing out the answcrs|
THAT was ChicasocSque. wasn't it? |
felt like asking the young woman how
things were out in Chicago, but didn't.
said:
DO yon think it would be fair to the
other applicants for positions if, cvcn
suppOsing ! had the questions. | were tu
furnish them in advance to you and not
to them: Why, IL may inquire, do you
prefer such nn extraordinary. such an un.
heard of. request?
Well she replied, looking me square
in the eye. I need the moucy, the salary.
and | want to make dead sure of getting
it.
There was something captivating
about her nerve, and, although she did
not, of course. get any list of examiners
questions in advance, she passed the cx-
animation hands down. worked her way
up to one Of the good bllets in the office
and ID going to be back with us again
when the new force is organized."-