The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-10
MOUNTAIN CIVIL SERVICE.

3aWhy the Wise Man of His Region
 Failed on His Original Essay
 Away up in the western part of this %state civil service examination was recently held for the position of mail carrier for a rural free delivery route. As such examinations are always ad- vertised for some time ahead, the pop ulation in and around the village of B. was considerably stirred up over the event A circus or an election would 7 have scarcely evoked more comment and for hours at time the sturdy mountaineers would discuss and redis- cuss the approaching and all-absorbing examination.
 But the wonder of the whole matter was the numerous applicants who sig nifled their desire to enter the contest. Without regard to intelligence, educa ton, race color or previous condition of servitude they, one and all, girded up their Joins and marched forth to battle for civil service honors. The followers of Peter the Hermit were not more Jealous in their desire to get at the tiroats of the infidel Moslems than were this band of mountalneers to get whack at that examination They, of course had no idea what the nature of 1t would be. But majority of them having at one time or another hood winked and outwitted the agents of Un cle Sam from another department, they felt confident of their ability to do like wise on this occasion.
 At last the eventful day, or rather the day before the eventful day arrived, IA L ,,fyla I,,ry1 tor who was to conduct the eXamina- tion He was a smart, hustling, bust ling sort of a little fellow, and gave ev- cry indication of being able to answer questions as well as propound them. At any rate his ability in this direction was soon put to the test.
 Among the numerous aspirants for civil service honors was one king, who was supposed to be the best posted man ton general topics in that section of the country. He was the leading wag and wit of the village. When King saw the inspector his heart gave great leap of joy He was, in the estimation of the modest King, soft snap. King would squeeze him as dry as a lemon--Would pump him until he should make known every question to be asked at the ap- preaching examination. So, immediate ly after supper, with this ulterior de- sign in view. the redoubtabe King sought out the dapper little inspector He found him at his room and as may be expected under the circumstances was made heartily welcome.
 In reply to several questions, MT King was politely informed that the ex- T to reading writing and arithmetic. In addition, however. each applicant would be required to write an essty on a Sub- feet to be selected by the examiner. Right here was Kings opportunity! Now was the propitious moment for him to make his grand stand play! He felt certain that he could distance the whole community on the three "Rs, and if he could but show up well on the essay the prize would assuredly be his. Carefully concealing his agitation, therefore, he modestly inquired if the inspector could give him an idea as to the probable subject of the sketch
 "Oh. yes" replied the inspector, "something on the order of the South ern railway, the Blue Ridge Mountains or the life of some eminent may, say, for instance, Abraham Lincoln
 King was delighted. If there was one Roint in his character upon which he