Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-27

the reason we are so poor. AS long
IS father was well we got along all
right. This morning mother fixed me
up and gave me this little bundle and
told me l must be brave and act like
a man when I got into the governors
room. She was trying not to cry all
the time. and when 1 went in to bid
father good-byai he was trying not to
cry. too. I suppose they were afraid
something would happen to- me, corning
here all myself, or maybe that i
wouldn't get to see the governor at
ALL .
While they talked the last of the
people waiting bad been admitted to
the governors room, and the hands of
the tall clock had moved around to
half past twelve. An electric bell rang
and Miss Gerble said:
THAT is my call. The governor
wants to dictate his letters before he
starts for the train. And there is the
attorney general going in to consult
with him. 1 really am afraid you
won't get to see the governor today, as
his time is so short now, but the pri-
vate secretary will do his best, l know,
and 1 will too
She went to her desk, and, returning
through the reception room with her
pencil and notebook, gave him an en-
couraging smile before she went be-
tween the swinging doors.
The governor sat at his desk and the
encouragement at the end, already
discussing some matter of state, while
| a colored waiter spread upon the flat
| topped desk luncheon he had brought
| from nearby restaurant, SO that no
time might be lost during the meal.
| The executive was large man, with
kindly face, and he said to Miss Ger
| BILE with a humorous twinkle in his
eye:
"I'll have to dispose of this luncheon
and the letters at the same time today.
| Sit up, Mr.. Attorney general, and help
me-with the luncheon, 1 mean By
| the way, I wired Colonel Robertson to
come, and he will be here within a
few minutes. 1 am going to offer him
| the judgeship."
"I hope he will accept it." the attor-
ney-general answered, "for he would
| make an excellent judge, and 1 believe
| the appointment would be commended
by the newspapers of all factions. l
| believe, too, that he can be nominated
and elected at the next election"
The governor touched an electric but
ton. An attendant appeared and went
out to summon the private secretary,
who came at once.
when Colonel Robertson comes,
bring him in, no matter who may be
waiting for me-" the governor said to
him. My time is getting very short.
Is there any one else out there wait
ing?"
There is a small boy there. He has
been waiting several hours. He has a
letter from his father and prefers to
give it to you because his father said
he should not give it to any one else"
81 haven't time for him today. He'll
have to come again. You get the let
|. ter Mr.. Wood, and if there is any re-
quest that you can grant, you may do
so.'
II don't think he will give it to me,
governor said the private secretary,
"as he is a determined little chap. 1
| wish you could just take a minute to
see him. We are all interested in him
and curious about his letter"
Il wish you could see MIN, governor"
| Miss Gerble said. "He is bright boy,
and he told me his father had done you
some service in battle"
What is his name?"
David Blair" the private secretary
said.
He must be a son of Daniel Blair"
said the governor. He was my or
derby at Cold Harbor''
He said his fathers name is Daniel"
said Miss Gerble.
"Well, I'd like to see him for Dams
may bring in Dams letter, Mr.. Wood,
and I'll see what he wants."
'Ill try to get it from him." said
the private secretary.
He went out and came in presently
with the letter. The governor took
it and laid it to one side while he
dictated rapidly to the stenographer,
giving such attention to the luncheon
at the same time as he could.
The door opened soon and the private
secretary brought in Colonel Robert
son. He was a tall, venerable man,
and he was greeted warmly by the
governor and attorney-general.
"Tll have to turn this correspondence
over to you and Miss Gerble, Mr..
Wood" the governor said.
Il wish you would take a minute to
see what the boy wants, before you
CO." the private secretary urged. He
may make some request that you
would be glad to grant. I have no
doubt it is simple enough"
I'VE won't know what to do with
the boy" Miss Gerble added. HE says
he will wait until you see him, COVER
nor'
The executive took up the letter,
and opened the envelope as the private
secretary and Miss Gerble went out.
Take that easy-chair there, colonel"
said the executive, while l skim
through this
He drew out the Enclosure, which was
an irregular sheet of coarse wrapping
paper, written upon in blurred pencil
with a sick mans hand. But the gov
ernor did more than skim through it.
He read it carefully, while Colonel
Robertson and the attorney general
talked in low tones. It ran as fol-
lowsc
"Dere guvner:-Ime riting this to
send with my boy David. I amt Soin