The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-09-23
now A WOMAN
COT AN OFFICE.


81 men, but there was one Of which
.be considered women did not gel
fhelr share. The political Offices were
am held almost exclusively by men
Katherine was interested In the mat.
ter not because she relished a struggle
with the men for womans rights. but
because she wanted an Office. She pro
posed to herself short cut TO equalize
her chances with them. She would
seek an Office not as woman, but as
man.
Not long after Katherine Gle came
TO this decision young man, TRULY
Mlddlebrook. OF rather feminine up
pearance. settled In the town OF Stark,
VILE and soon secured a position as
stenographer with Francis Merriam
grain shipper. Middlebrook's employ.
er told him that he had had several
women stenographers, but didn't want
any more Of them. He considered
them an empty headed lot. excitable.
hysterical-indeed. everything ending
with al" not excepting diabolical
But he desired Middlebrook 10 be
careful not TO mention his opinion OF
the sex, for he had long been striving
to get the nomination for mayor, and
it wouldn't be policy for him to be
known as woman hater.
Middlebrook remained in Merriam's
employ two years before the ambition
Of his employer was attained. Mer-
RAM was nominated, and he was Sc
good man that the opposition hest
tated about putting up candidate Of
fits own. Indeed. Merriam was con
graduating himself on the prospect OF
having no opposition whatever when
he saw a notice one morning In his
newspaper that astonished him. II
was no less than an announcement
Of his stenographer, TRULY Middle
brook, that he would be candidate
for mayor at the coming election.
Now, there had been the best Of feel
ing between the two. men. Merriam
had raised Middlebrook's salary sew.
eral times and had supposed that the
stenographer was devoted to him.
mfr. Afiddlebroolr." said Merriam. u
have seen your notice. You have a
perfect right TO run for Office against
me, but-but-weil, your action is just
like a thousand things your predeces.
sors have done who were-women.
That's ALL"
Mr.. Middlebrook withdrew without a
word. and what filed the measure OF
his employers astonishment was that
he thought he saw a tear in his stenog.
rapher's eye.
There was another surprise In store
for Mr.. Merriam. A few days before
the election his political manager came
TO him to say that Mlddlebrook. who
had been gaining in favor ever since
the announcement Of his candidacy,
would surely be elected. Merriam was
dumfounded. he asked his manager
what was the secret of Middlebrooks
\strength and was informed that be had
ZONE mysterious influence over the
women which was turned to account
in gaining the votes of the men.
From this announcement to the day
before the election the Official inter
course between Merriam and his ste
nographer was extremely embarrassing
for both. though especially so for the
latter. Merriam had accepted the sit
uation. He was still puzzled at bis
employee interposing himself between
him and the Office he coveted, but b.
was above lifting a finger to defea
that employees intention. The even
tng before the election Middlebrooi
took his chiefs dictation, as usual
and was about to retire when he turn
ed, evidently shaken by considerable
emotion, and said:
MIR. Merriam. I've been a mean
wicked thing. You've been just to-
lovely to me for anything, and In re
turn I'VE attempted to deprive you 9
what you SO earnestly desire and ar
no much better fitted for than 4"
The young man took out his hand
kerchief and wiped tears which wer
flowing from his eyes.
"What in thunder does this meanT
exclaimed Merriam. You talk and &C
FOR all the world like one of those cor
founded women"
al am a woman. My name is Katf
crime GLE. / wanted an office and dis
gnised myself as man to get one.
wish-I wish was at the bottom 9
the sea-"
she turned away in an emottons
storm. Merriam sat gaping at her fe
q time: then, with a twinkle in his ey'
he replied to her last remark.
..Yeu would there find Mr. McGint,
and you would have to continue
mans clothes to beat him at his legit
mate work-the work Of a fisherman
II didn't intend" said the girl. ht
back still turned toward her employt
and political opponent. ito run againi
vou. | had confdantes who manage
for me They did 1t.
"It wasn't bit nice Of them" r
plied Mr.. Merriam. with a trace
irony in his voice.
NO; don't want to be mayor. II
going to announce my withdrawal"
II couldn't permit that. My man
ger tells me you are sure to win"
That's all the more reason why
should withdraw"
You shall do no such thing"
This brought back spark OF ma
hood to Katherine.
"why?" she asked. turning.
.why2 That's like woman. Pu
herself in a mans power and the
asks him why be exercises it. "
forget Won have revealed your secret