The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-14

worth the living. She wished she could ask
this man to help him, to give him the letter
Inc commissioner required and which she
knew the boy was going to request. That
hateful red tape! The commissioner had
said Yes, undo Ibtedly young Beale is the
man for the place, but how are we to give it
TO MIN when he seems to have no political
backing at 9all, whereas that fellow Morris,
who hasn't the sense he was born with, has
the whole senate or near it,"
THE kids don't understand the tricks Of
the trade you see, the man went on .They
think letters letter and go off grinning
expecting to be in the cabinet in four years
and president in eight. They're too soft to
know that nine out of ten letters are shams
and not worth the paper they're written on.
Cornelia felt a distinct hatred of this man
who could speak SO cruelty. How she detested
him for saying kids! She wished he
would go.
! of the letters?'' she asked, to make conversa-
ton. Don't they honor all from the Hon.
Gilbert Stokes?"
t'No,'' he replied .sThey all know the lit
tie finishing touch that makes it important.
If we mean what we say and really want a
fellow to get job, we pin visiting card
to the top of the letter. If there's no card, it
means no job Simple, isn't it? When the
letters go by nand. the boys think it's a little
dodge to prevent forgery or something OF
that sort, and We never have any trouble.
Cornelia's throat frightened. Ell don't see
how you can do that" she said stifiy. But
butfI suppose"-with swift change of tone
syou can't help it, of course. And how do
you do it?
"It's not much of story he said, and it
was not, but Corneia, listened with breathless
interest and was glad that he wandered on
from one topic to another, requiring only
monosyllabic replies from her. She sat in thu
| .Lze,,1 -. L
ing and her usually quiet hands furling and
unfurling her fan. When he rose to go, she
said good night with unwonted cordially and
watched him as ne strobe down the street.
past the merry doorstep parties out of sight.
But long after the last noisy group had dis
persed she still sat there thinking:
The boy came upstairs two steps at time
| and nearly knocked Cornelia oyer at the top.
cts come, dear" he cried, catching her in
his arms to steady them both. $50 you can
order your trousseau at once. It's sure
thing now That fellow Stokes has sent me a
| fine letter. Isn't he brick?''
| The quick color flew to Cornelias cheeks.
| "Oh,' she said, .'you got my note? I'm SO
| glad, dear. May 1 see the 1etter?
| She took it with trembling fingers and read
! it through. 1t was addressed to the commits
sioner and asked in courteous and well
chosen phrases that the writer's esteemed
! young friend, Godfrey Beale, be appointed to
! the position he sought. The letter was spot
less and correct in every detail, but there
was no sign of card either the letter or
| in the envelop. the latter containing only
| Geofrey's letter of transmittal
| VIII you let me show it to mother, dear?''
the girl asked, refolding it.. .'She will like
to see it, of course. 1t is fire, isn't it22''
she ratified on. ;'Just what you needed. It
1 is so kind Of Mr.. Stokes. I will be back in
| a minute or two
She found her mother and read the preci-7
GUS page to her; then, running noiseessIy on
! the soft carpets, she went to her own room.
! Hastily selecting visiting card from the
! tray on her desk, she pinned it to the letter
and closed the envelop. Her heart beat
ing mildly, and her futtering hands could
hardly hold the letter. She stood an instant
4 undecided, then dropped on her knees beside
i the bed,
i Dear God,'' she whispered, '.don't let it
4 be wicked-please don't let it be wicked dear
| God! I don't mean it to be, and it is tbs
only way She knelt a moment with bowed
head then went quietly down stairs.
! Mother thinks it is lovely DEAR she said.
1 .tSee! have closed it for. you, with all my
! love and best wishes for Its success. Won't
that give it lucky"
| They went out together and posted it.
! In the evening the man came again. +
! GA queer thing happened yesterday he
said. "You remember our talk last week
| about writing letters Of introduction? Well,
| I, wrote one yesterday for that young fellow
| Beale-you know him, beieve-and my man
| failed to put the card in. want Beaie to get
| the place. He's really capable man. L
/ found the card the desk after the mail had
gone out. I wrote to the commissioner at
1 once. It will be all right of course but I
| wonder how often that sort of thing happens
| Cornelia gripped the arms of her chair
| tightly and stared straight ahead of her into
| the darkness. The man studied her face
THAT was-that is so kind of you, Mr..
Stokes she said gently. 'Geoffrey-I mean
Mr.. Beale-will be very grateful. We have
4 been $3.50 anxious for him to succeed. ;"
The man smiled grimly. Then he said
| s'Good night!'' and went down the street
| slowly, as if he was not quite of the way.