The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-12-03
Observation-Disclosures.
HOW A WOMAN
GOT AN OFFICE.
[Original.l

occupy many positions formerly filled
by men, but there was one of which
she considered women did not sc
their share. The political offices were
still held almost exclusively by men
Katherine was interested in the mat
ter not because she relished struggle
with the men for woman'S rights. but
because she wanted an office. She pro
posed to herself a short cut to equaliZe
her chances with them. She would
seek an Office not as a woman. but a.
man.
Not long after katherine Gle cam<
to this decision q young man, TRULY
Middlebrook, of rather feminine ap
pearance, settled in the town of Stark
vile and soon secured position as
stenographer with Francis Merriam
grain shipper. Middlebrook's employ
err told him that he had had several
women stenographers, but didn't wan
any more of them. He considered
them an empty headed lot, eXcitable
| Observation-Disclosures, everything ending
with al" not excepting diabolical
But he desired Middlebrook to be
careful not to mention his opinion Of
the sex, for he had long been striving
to get the nomination for mayor, I'd
it wouldn't be policy for him to be
known as Il woman hater.
Middlebrook remained In Merriam g
employ two years before the ambition
of his employer was attained. Mer.
| riam was nominated, and he was So
good a man that the opposition hest
it's own. Indeed, Merriam was con
graduating himself on the prospect OF
having no opposition whatever when
he saw a notice one morning in hi
newspaper that astonished him. II
was no less than an announcement
Of his stenographer, TRULY Middle
brook, that ne would be a 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.
''Mr. Middlebrook." said Merriam, 81
have seen your notice. You have a
perfect right to run for office against
me, but-but-well, your action is just
like thousand things your predeces
sors have done who were-women
That's ALL
Mr.. Middlebrook withdrew without a
word and what filled the measure OF
his employers establishment was that
| hn rb ha ;,,I u; -to
raphers 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 Middlebrook. 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 Middlebrook' s
strength and was Informed that he had
some 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 his
employee interposing himself between
MIN and the office he coveted, but he
was above lifting finger to defea,
that employees intention. The even
ing before the election Niddlebrool
took his chiefs dictation, as usual
and was about to retire when he turn
ed. evidently shaken by considera bic
emotion. and said:
"Mr. Merriam, I've been mean
wicked thing You've been just too
lovely to me for anything, and in re
turn I've attempted to deprive you O
what you so earnestly desire and art
so much better fitted for than l.
The young man took out his hand
kerchief and wiped tears which wer
flowing from his eyes.
what in thunder does this mean?
! exclaimed Merriam. You talk and ac
for all the world like one of those con
founded women"
II am a woman. My name is Kath
crime Gile. | wanted an Office and dis
( guised myself as man to get one.
wish-l wish | was at the bottom o
the sea-"
She turned away in an emotiona
storm. Merriam sat gaping at her fo
time; then, with twinkle in his eye
he replied to her last remark.
you would there find Mr.. MEG inty
and you would have to continue i
mans clothes to beat him at his egit
mate work-the work of a fisherman
II didn't intend" said the girl. he
back still turned toward her employe
and political opponent, "to run agains
you. l had confidantes who manage
for me. They did it."
at wasn't bit nice of them" r.
piled Mr.. Merriam, with a trace {
irony in his voice.
i mo; 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"
all 10 ,lr,