The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-24
AN ALARMING SITUATION.
Frightened Out of His Wits ny
Matchmaking Woman.
(From the New York SUM-

| From the New York SUM-
| Ordinarily the Office OF private secreta-
~ to a United States Senator does not
bring with it any exciting adventures or
f, thrilling hairbreadth escapes" sad an
old newspaper man who had had such
! Job, "but there was an exception in my
case right at the beginning OF my Senate
rial career, and I had such a fright that
wanted to quit right then and there. 1t
happened at the Senator's house one morn
| ing while he was at breakfast. He lived
| in large house with big lobby or hall,
| and every morning most Of the available
space in it was occupied by all kinds OF
| people wanting Senatorial assistance OF one
+, kind or another.
ION this particular morning there must
have been fifty people OF both sexes sit
ting around waiting. when very hand
some young woman beautifully dressed,
came in and asked to see the Senator.
1t was my business to be out in the lobby
looking after applicants, and noticing that
she was not of the common run of call
ers | politely escorted her to small al
cove down the hall, where she would
be out of the crowd. She told me she
wanted to see the Senator on particular
business. and l informed her that she
could not see him that morning there, but
she might see him during the day at the
CdpllOl. one luSlSleu Oh seSiUS tueI,
and / told her that as her business would
be referred TO me in any event she might
as well state it to me there and would
attend to 1t if possible. She declined, and
| insisted, assuring her that 1 was the
Senator's private secretary and personal
representative and as such was entitled
to her respectful consideration. You see
she was a rafting pretty girl, and man
will go out of his way to render .A-' i.i..d
service.
Finally she became less insistent on
seeing the Senator and asked something
more about my authority in the premises.
OF course. 1 made myself out to be just
as important as could. and then she came
directly at me.
al want some money she said. nerv-
ously and l must have 1t. Do you I'M
derstand? l must have it,
IF that's what you want said |, then
you will have to see the Senator himself.
for | have no authority to give anybody
money
But you said you were his representa-
tive and could act for him, didn't you?'
she enquired.
Yes. madam. But in such matters the
Senator must act for himself
well I've got to have the money she
asserted in an ugly tone. and if you don't
give it to me right now I'll scream
You'll what almost shrieked at her,
as felt the beads OF perspiration breaking
out on my brow at the thought OF what
scream under the circumstances would
sound like by the time it got into the news
papers.
I'm scream she repeated. as cool az
a load of ice in February, If you don't
give me the money.
Il saw my finish right there. and
knew there was no good in struggling. The
time had come for some quick thinking.
and did it then If ever in my life. II she
screamed l was a ruined man. for there
were men and women all around who
didn't know me at all and would believe
the woman first always, no matter what
had to say. Even if they did not. the
scandal of such thing right in the Sem
ator's house would make it necessary for
him to let me go. was poor enough. but
had $50 in my pocket that | had just re-
ceived as salary. from the paper I still
worked for. and i went down after it.
There said /. dragging 1t out and
handing it over TO her in a nice roll. is
$50. all the money I've got Take it. and
welcome
rs that alI?' she asked, as if disap-
pointed.
Yes said /, all except a few cents in
change which you can have if you want
them. l am a new man here and have
family to support and if you make a
scene ii will ruin ME and do you no good.
For Heavens sake take the money and
GO
oh. you may keep the change she
said with naughty wave Of her hand.
and very deliberately she stuck my roll
OF bills into her jacket, got up and walk
ed out
Il followed her to the door. and l never
so much wanted to lay violent bonds on
woman and fire her out as did that one
When she had got outside l flew back to
the dining room door in a cold sweat and
beckoned frantically to the Senator to
come out. / was so badly ratified that |
couldn't talk and l felt Just like one does