The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-08-15
HIS LUCK TURNED.
DISCOURAGED oFFIcE SEEKER
FINALLY WON OUT.
On Eve Of Leaving Washington in De.
spair His Chance Came-ciever
Remark That Cinched
Position.

Speaking a5out the fortuitous and
unseen events in life which ofttimes
appear to control our des;inies and
certainly do control our movements
for better OF worse. I am reminded
Of 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.
enis who were exchanging similar
stories in one of the committee rooms
OF the capitol
Several years ago ! came to Wash
ington looking for political position.
which at that time was not so very
difficult to get with good backing This
had, but It seemed as though fate
was against me in everything / at
tempted. | was turned down all sloug
the line. and though l was finally
willing to take a position of less de-
gree than the one 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 a look-in anywhere
There was one position close to
the head of one Of the departments
which was particularly desirous Of
obtaining. A friend Of mine had it In
his power to secure this place for me
had he elected - do SO. but as friends
often do he failed to recommend ne.
One night, discouraged and disgustsd.
intending TO leave town for homs lha.
next day, ! stopped in the cafe otA, e
of the uptown hotels for the .al
nightcap in the capital, though Il iSs
seldom that / indulge in the red h,dd
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, / have been chasing you from
your lodgings all over town. / will
admit 70 you now that the reason
why | would not recommend YOU to
the old man (meaning the head OF the
department in which ! wished to OBJ
tain a foothold) was because wished
another friend OK mine to have the
place. He has not treated me right.
so I am going to recommend you to
the old man; he is upstairs now, and
the decision is 10 be made tonight
Come along, he must see you.
'As a man in trance I was led to
the elevator and later found myself
in the private room Of the cabinet Of
ficer. He was very blunt and out
spoken man, but square one. lie
listened quietly TO the complimentary
remarks concerning myself made by
my friend, at the same time taking
me in and reading me through like a
book-he was wonder o. sizing up
other men. When my friend finished
eNtolling my capabilities and virtues,
half of which l guiltily 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--whats that got to do
with my capabilities for the placer I
calculated in astonishment
~ have a prejudice against men
who part their hair in the middle the
cabinet officer rejoined with some as
2es:;I though not unkindly
My friends face fell But I had
received TOO many hard knocks to let
~ wits fail in that crucial moment.
was in for defeat, perhaps, once
more; but this time l kept my nerve
with me.
Well, Mr. Secretary. I answered,
with equal hlDptness. If you had the
few hairs on your head The was very
BALD that | have on mine, you. too,
might care to show those left to the
best adyantage-thats why I part
them in the middle.
"The great man smiled, arose, ex.
tended his hand. and bade me to
come to his Office the next day and
be sworn in. at the same time mur-
muring something about all rules
have their exceptions And but for
that last, sad farewell nightcap over
the bar Of that hotel on that fateful
night / would have been grubbing
the stumps out home to-d-'