Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1906-11-08
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 fortultous and
unseen events in life which ofttimes
appear 10 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-
ton 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 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 1t seemed as though fate
was against me In everything at
tempted. l was turned down all along
the line, and though l was finally
willing to take a 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 a look-in anywhere.
There was one position close to
the head Of one of the departments
which l 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 disguised,
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 the red fluid
that cheers the weary and discour-
aged.
"As l turned to pay my check my
friend ran into my arms.
Here he cried, somewhat excit-
eddy, I have been chasing you from
your lodgings all over town. will
admit to you now that the reason
why I would not recommend you to
the old man (meaning the head of the
department in which l wished to OBJ
tain a foothold) was because wished
another friend Of mine to have the
place. He has not treated me right,
80 l am going to recommend you to
the old man; he Is upstairs now, and
the decision Is to be made tonight
Come along, he must see you
CAS- a man in trance 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. He
listened quietly to the complimentary
remarks concerning myself made by
my friend, at the same time taking
me in and reading me through like
book-he was a 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
for the place, but l don't like your
hair
My hair-what's that got to do
with my capabilities for the place? l
calculated in establishment.
az have prejudice against men
who part their hair in the middle. the
cabinet officer rejoined with some as
psrity, though not unkindly.
my friends face fell. But I had
received too many hard knocks to let
my wits fail in that crucial moment.
I was In for defeat, perhaps, once
more; but this time I kept my nerve
with me.
well, Mr.. Secretary I answered,
with equal bluntness, If you had the
few hairs on your head Che was very
bald) that l have on mine, you, too,
might care to show those left to the
best advantage-that's why / part
them in the middle
"The great man, smiled, arose, ex-
tended his hand, and babe me to
como to his Office the next day and
be sworn in, at the ga. lie time muir.
muring something about, all rules
have their exceptions. Ard but for
that last, sad farewell nightcap over
the bar of that hotel on that fateful
night I would have been grubbing