Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-08-28
HE WENT UP HIGHER
HOW A GOVERNMENT CLERK Sc
CURED LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

From the Secretary of His Depart
msnt He Had Fun With the Dtvi-
sion Chief, Who Had Turned Hin,
Down.
''The question OF sick and annual
leave" said clerk in an up town de
partnent to reporter, lis one of the
utmost Importance to government
clerks aud is one of their most precious
privileges. ! will tell you OF an &C,
currence in my department which will
interest fellow clerks especially.
"A clerk in my division put in an
application for a few days leave in
the usual form in writing. TO ne .. X. d
by the chief of division and sent on It's
way to the chief clerk of the depart
ment Not hearing from it and the
time approaching for his departure lie
went TO his chief and said
Mr.. -, how about my applica.
ton?
h'Here It is on my desk. have not
sent 1t up, 1t is too early IN he year
to apply for that length OF time Inn.
portant business or not. You cannot
be spared
''My friend, who is little fellow and
a diplomat, grasped the situation ut
once. 1t happened that he had per-
sonal acquaintance with the secretary,
one of those rare instances where a
cabinet officer has personal aequaint.
anee with one of his own clerks. They
had met outside of the department,
for the little fellow is member OF an
Influential family in the secretary
own district.
"He bowed and withdrew, but in
stead OF going back to his desk he
m,lde O short cut up the corridors to-
ward the secretary's room. Just as
he was approaching the latter's private
Office entrance the secretary, in COM
pany with couple of gentlemen, came
out. Observing the clerk and his anx-
iOus, inquiring face, he paused. shook
him cordially by the hand and exclaim-
ed TO his companions:
Ex-senator. here Is bright little fell
low from my state who Is the father of
the biggest. cherubic faced baby you
ever saw and the husband of the hap
piest OF wife mothers. Look at him
blush. Well. what's the matter now
Why. l want to go away on bust
ness for fortnight, and
well. you little rascal. why don't
you go? III let you--only be sure TO
come back and don't get lost on the
cars.
The secretary's hearty laugh. in
which the others joined, echoed in the
marble tessellated corridors, and they
passed on. The 'roya word had been
given,
"That evening at quarter to 4-he
left 1t until last minute purposely-he
went to his chief. 1t was his turn to
rub 1t In.
"'Mr. - he said quietly, have you
sent up my leaveY
al have not replied the chief short
~. I disposed of that question this
morning
NJ thought that the secretary grant
ed leave in this department. / was
not aware that chiefs of division pos
sessed that authority 1t was war
now. Both looked each other unflinch-
lngly il the eye. Then the chief began
70 smell little official mouse and re-
serted to brpwbeating, as Is not uR
usual under similar circumstances.
"You are impertinent'-
81 beg your pardon quickly In
terxupted the clerk, for a chief to say
to q clerk that he IS .cnnertinent Inn
putes charge against him. 1 ,cquest
that You withdraw that remark. 1t Is
no impertinence for clerk TO state a
rule of the department to his chief.
more especially when he appears to
have forgotten II or is unaware of its
existence. The secretary. and he alone,
hnally grants or disapproves applica
tons for leave In all departments Of
the government. | have never before
heard this authority questioned
~ don't question IT, hastily inter-
jected the chief, to whose nose the OH.
cial mousy smell was each moment be.
coming more acute.
"'By not submitting my application
to those whose province II is to decide
such questions you certainly do ques-
ton 1t and exceed your authority. APP
proved or disapproved by you. they
ans ugi y9p pass on it finally. and.
furthermore, 700 kIo@i Il
~ wlli send II up tomorrow, said
the ct!,f as he climbed down from his
high horse as gracefully as the coca,
sion admitted. Let me see. YOU wish
to GO
"'TGLe your time replied my
frlend 'g.ygntly IT is already grant
ed. have The seeycta - personal
permission to 80 provided | do not gel
lost en- the cars. start tomorrow,
aud ] win try not TO get lost. Good
by" Washington Star.
Philosophy teaches us how easy II Is
Tor any man 20 forget his troubles, pEe.
yided he is so fortunate as to be some
body elsa