The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1911-06-29
HOW A WOMAN
GOT AN OFFICE.
lOrfginal.l

hatnerlne lille was an up 10 GATE
young woman. Her sex had come to
occupy many positions formerly filed
by men, but there was one of which
she considered women did not get
their share. The political offices were
still 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 short cut to equalize
her chances with them. She would
seek an office not as a woman. but as
a man.
Not long after Katherine Gle came
to this decision young man, TRULY
Middlebrook, of rather feminine APP
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 wan,
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 to be
careful not to mention his opinion of
the sex, for he had long been striving
to get the nomination for mayor, and
1t wouldn't be policy for him to be
known as a woman Halter.
Middlebrook remained In Merriam's
employ two years before the ambition
of his employer was attained. Mer-
ado AA1 ha
good a man that the opposition hest
tated about putting up candidate of
Its 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. 1t
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.
"Mr Middlebrook," said Merriam, 81
have seen your notice. You have
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.. Middlebrook withdrew without
word, and what filed the measure of
his employers establishment was that
he thought he saw a tear in his stenog-
rapher's eye.
There was another surprise in store
for Mr. Merriam. 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
l him and the office he coveted, but he
/, was above lifting a finger to defeat
that employees intention. The even
0 ing before the election Middlebroob
1 took his chiefs dictation. as usual
J, and was about to retire when he turn
), ed, evidently shaken by considerable
emotion, and said:
t "Mr Merriam, I've been a mean
z wicked thing. You've been just too
= lovely to me for anything, and in re
s turn I've attempted to deprive you o.
e what you so earnestly desire and ar,
y 90 much better fitted for than l."
It The young man took out his hand
kerchief and wiped tears which wer'
3 flowing from his eyes.
n "What in thunder does this meanf
exclaimed Merriam. you talk and &C
for all the world like one OF those con
founded women"
n 81 am a woman. My name Is Kath
3 crime Gle. wanted an Office and dis
n guised myself as a man to get one.
10 wish-I wish / was at the bottom o
10 the sea-"
le She turned away in an emotions
c. storm. Merriam sat gaping at her 70
IN a time; then, with twinkle in his eye
1t he replied to her last remark.
n "You would there find Mr.. McGinty
Is and you would have to continue h
N mans clothes to beat him at his legit
mate work-the work of fisherman. 4"
81 didn't intend" said the girl, he
back still turned toward her employe
II, and political opponent ito run agafpf
D. you. I had confdantss who manage
for me. They did It,"
d at wasn't a bit nice Of them" y
X Piled Mr. Merriam, with a trace Z
III irony In his voice.
I'd "No; don't want TO be mayor. II
woAn0 tn announce nv wfthdraW wal"