Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09
SPEAKING ABOUT cHANcE,,-
A Government Official Reminded Of
His Own Experience.

speaking about the fortuitous and nm
seen events in life which ofttimes appear
TO control our destinies and certainly do
contfoi our movements for better or worse
l am reminded of a little story of Wash
irEton life," said an official who occun,es
a position In the upper line of government
preference to a group of correspondents
who were exchanging similar stories in one
OF the committee rooms of the Capitol.
several years ago came to Washington
locking for a political position, which at
that time was not so very difficult to get
with good backing. This l had, but 1t
seemed as though fate was against me in
everything 1 attempted. 1 was turned down
all along the line, and though was finally
willing to take a position of less degree
than the one I had originally sought, as
USED to be the case here as old timers
VIII recall. failed with equal regularity to
secure even so much as look-in anywhere
There was one position close to the head
OF one OF the departments which was par
o ueulariy DESTROYS Of obtaining. friend
OF mine had 1t in his power to secure this
place for me had he elected to do so, but
as friends often do, he failed to recommend
me. one night, discouraged and Disguised
day, l stopped in the cafe of one of the
uptown hotels for the last nightcap In the
capital, though 1t is seldom that T In
dcige In the red fluid that cheers the weary
and discouraged.
AS | turned to pay my check my friend
ran into my arms.
Here he cried, somewhat excitedIv II
have been chasing you from your LODGINGS
all over town. l will admit to you now that
the reason why would not recommend Won
to the old man, (meaning the head of the
department In which l wished to obtain a
foothoiO was because I wished another
friend of mine to have the place He has
not treated me right, so I am going to
recommend you to the old man: he is up
stairs now. and the decision is to be made
tonight Come along, he must see you'
las man In a trance l was led to the
elevator and later found myself In the pri-
vate room of the cabinet Offices He was
a very blunt and outspoken man, but a
square one. He listened quietly to the COM
plimentary remarks concerning myself
made by my friend. at the same time TAX
ing me in and reading me through like a
book-he was wonder at sizing up other
men. When my friend finished extolling
my capabilities and virtues, half of which
! guiltiiy knew did not possess. the great
man said briefly:
you are probably the right man for the
place, but don't like your hair
My hair-what's that got to do with
my capabilities for the placer calculated
In establishment.
IT have prejudice against men who
part their hair In the middle the cabinet
officer rejoined with some asperity, though
not unlfindly.
.sMy friends face fell. But had re-
ceiyed too many hard knocks to let my wits
fail In that crucial moment. I was in for
defeat, perhaps, once more: but this time
kept my nerve with me-
Well. Mr.. Secretary answered with
equal bluntness. IL you had the few hairs
on your head Che was very bald) that I
have on mine. you. too, might care to show
those left to the best advantage-that's
why part them In the middle
1.-THE great nam smiled. arose. extended
his hand and hade me to come to his Office
the next day and be sworn In, at the same
have their exceptions And but for that
last, sad, farewell nightcap over the bar
OF that hotel on that fateful night, would
have been grubbang the stumps out home
today.