The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1906-09-17
HIS LUCK TURNED.
DISCOURAGED OFFICE SEEKER
FINALLY WON OUT.
On Eve Of Leaving Washington in De-
spair His Chance Came-clever
Remark That cinched
Position.

Speaking about the fortuitous and
unseen events in life which ofttimes
appear to control our destinies and
certainly do control our movements
for better or worse, am reminded
Of a little story of Washington life"
said an official who occupies a posi-
tion in the upper line Of government
preference to a group Of correspond
ents who were exchanging similar
stories In one OF the committee rooms
Of the capitol
Several years ago I came to Wash
ington looking for a political position,
which at that time was not 50 very
difficult to get with good backing. This
had but it seemed as though fate
was against me in everything I at
tempted. / was turned down all along
the line, and though / was finally
willing to take position Of less de-
gree than the one l had originally
sought, as used to be the case here,
as old timers will 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 particularly DESTROYS of
obtaining. A 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 disgusted,
intending to leave town for home the
next day, stopped In the cafe Of one
OF the uptown hotels for the last
nightcap in the capital, though 1t is |
seldom that / indulge In Che red fluid |
that cheers the weary and dIscour-
aged.
"As | turned to pay my check my
friend ran into my arms.
" Here. he cried, somewhat excit-
edly, I have been chasing you from
your lodgings all over town. / will
admit to you now that the reason
why l would not recommend you to
the old man (meaning the head OF the
department In which | wished to OBJ
tain a foothold) was because l wished
another friend of mine to have the
place. He has not treated me right,
so am going to recommend you to
the old man; he IL upstairs now, and
the decision is to be made tonight.
Come along, he must see YOU
AS man in a trance / was led to
the elevator and later found myself J
In the private room of the cabinet Of
ficer. He was very blunt and out I
spoken man, but square one. He
listened quietly to the complimentary
concerning myself made by
my friend, at the same time taking s
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 guiltily knew / did not
possess, the great man said briefly,
You are probably the right man t
'or the place, but don't like your 4
hair
My bair-whats that got to do
With my Capabilities for the place?
calculated in astonishment i
I have a prejudice against men .
Who part their hair III the middle, the
'aplAet oIncer reJolned with some as
'erity, though not unkindly II
My friends face fell But | had
eceived too many hard knocks to let
ny wits fail in that crucial moment.
was in for defeat perhaps, once u
nore; but this time / kept my nerve E-
With me.
Well, Mr.. Secretary I answered N
18th equal blnntness, if you had the
ew hairs on your head Che was very
add that | have on mine, you, too fe
light care to show those left to the
est acknowledgements why ! part -
lem in the middle ri
The great man smiled, arose, exi
ended his hand, and bade me to In
lme to his office the next day and
e sworn in, at the same time muir "a
iuring something about all rules Ne
ave their exceptions. And but for
lat last, sad farewell nightcap over ds
le bar of that hotel on that fateful pl'
ght would have been grubbing
Ie stumps out home to-day"