Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-12-10

HOW A WOMAN
GOT AN OFFICE.

by men, but there was one of which
she considered women did not get
their share. The political offices were
sun held almost exclusively by men.
katherine was interested in the mat
ter not because she relished a 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 changes with them. She would
seek an office not as a woman. but as
a man.
Not long after katherine Gile came
to this decision a young man. TRULY
M~iddlebrook, of rather feminine an
p%earance, settled in the town of Stark
Vile and soon secured a position as
stenographer with Francis Merriam.
grain shipper. M~iddlebrook'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,
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, and
it wouldn't be policy for him to be
known as a woman Halter.
Mlddlebrook remained in Merriam's
employ two years before the ambition
OF his employer was attained. Mer-
RAM was nominated, and he was so
good a mar that the opposition hest
tated about putting up a candidate of
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 his
newspaper that astonislled him. 1t
was no less than an announcement
OF his stenographer, TRULY Middle
brook. that he 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, II
have seen your notice. You have a
perfect right to run for office against
me, but-but-well. your action is Just
like a thousand things your predeces-
Sors have done who were-women.
That's all"
Mr.. Mlddlebrook withdrew without a
word. and what filled the measure of
his employers establishment was that
he thought he saw a tear in his stenoe-
rapher's eye.
There was another surprise in store
for Mr.. Merriam. y few days before
the ~elect;@n 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 M~iddlebrook's
strength II 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
him and the office he coveted, but he
was above lifting a finger to defeat
that employees intention. Tie even
ing before the election Middlebrook
took his chiefs d~ictation, as usual.
and was about to retire when he turn
ed. evidently shaken by considerable
emotion, and said:
Mr. Merriam, I've been a mean,
wicked thing. You've been lust too
lovely to Inc for anything, and in re-
turn I've attempted to deprive you of
what you so earnestly desire and ere
so much better fitted for than L."
The young man took out his hand
kerchief and wiped tears which were
flowing from his eyes.
"What in thunder does this meanY'
exclaimed Merriam. You talk ard act
for all the world like one of those con-
founded women"
Il am a m My name is katll-
crime Gle. l wanted an office and dis
guised myself as a man to get one. l
Wish-l wish | was at the bottom Of
the sea-"
She turned away in an emotional
storm. Merriam sat gaping ut her for
a time; t'!en With a twilEle in his p:e,
he replied to her last remark
"1ou would there find Mr.. McGintv.
and You would have to continue in
mans tlotl:t! to beat him at his legiti-
mate work-tle wor> Of Il fl herman"
II diGn't intend" sail TIE girl. her
back Still Turned toward her Employer
ard pCliti 81 r.r21.ent. 40 il.a against
you. h." ,.-GG4gtes WIZ managed
for me. They did it,"
1T was" Il bit ri e o. them" re-
piled Mr.. Merriam, with a trace Of
irony in his Voice.
mo; | d"n't van to be mayor. I'm
going to announce my withdrawal"
II couldn't permit that. My mana
ger tells me you are sure to VIM
That's all the more reason why
should withdraw"
you shall do no such thing"
Thic hra,,r-It ~ oSxt - o-,~, --