The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1911-05-04
HOW A WOMAN
GOT AN OFFICE.
tOriginal.l


occupy many positions formerly filled
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 a short cut to equalize
her chances with them. She would
seek an Office not as a woman, but as
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 ali empty headed lot, excitable,
ysterical-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 hater.
Middlebrook remained In Merriam's
employ two years before the ambition
Of his employer was attained. Mer-
RAM was nominated, and he was so
good 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 sew a notice one morning in his
r 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
sral times and had supposed that the
stenographer was devoted to him.
1 "Mr. Middlebrook," said Merriam, Il
have seen your notice. You have q
! perfect right to run for office against
me, but-but-well, your action is just
t like n thousand things your predeces
sors have done who were-women
That's ALL"
Mr.. Middlebrook withdrew without q
y y word, and what filed the measure Of
his employers establishment was thai
! he thought he saw tear in his stenog
q rapher's eye.
It There was another surprise In store
O for Mr.. Merriam. A few days before
! the election his political manager CAM
9 to him to say that Middlebrook. whC
had been gaining in favor ever sine
: the announcement of his candidacy
ID would surely be elected. Merriam wa
Z, dumfounded. He asked his manage
l. what was the secret of Middlebrook'
e strength and was informed that he ha,
O some mysterious influence over tn
4 women which was turned to accoun
In gaining the votes of the men.
From this announcement to the da,
before the election the official inter
1 course between Merriam and his ste
II nographer was extremely embarrassin
E. for both, though especially so for tn
1t latter. Merriam had accepted the si
n uation. He was still puzzled at hi
10 employee interposing himself betwee
a him and the office he coveted, but b
10 was above lifting a finger to defes
that employees intention. The ever
20 ing before the election Middlebroo
Z. took his chiefs dictation, as usua
L and was about to retire when he turn
IN ed. evidently shaken by considerabl
he emotion, and said:
Nm "Mr. Merriam, I've been a meal
mr. wicked thing. You've been just to
of lovely to me for anything, and in r
- turn I've attempted to deprive you (
~ what you 80 earnestly desire and al
le 90 much better fitted for than l."
ed The young man took out his ham
IT, kerchief and wiped tears which wei
r. flowing from his eyes.
n "What In thunder does this mean
ha exclaimed Merriam. "You talk and a
for all the world like one Of those CO
founded women"
=" 81 am a woman. My name IL Kat
III crime Gle. l wanted an Office and di
OF guised myself as a man to get one.
IS, wish-I wish was at the bottom
be the sea-"
If: She turned away in an emotion
mo- storm. Merriam sat gaping at her
81 time; then. with twinkle In his ey
~ he replied to her last remark.
nc "You would there find Mr.. McGint
nu and you would have to continue
TO mans clothes to beat him at his legi
lip mate work-the work of a fisherman.
rs. 81 didn't intend" said the girl, b
gs back still turned toward her employ
IN and political opponent, Ito run agar
zoo you. had confdantes who manag
y for me. They did It."
ny "It wasn't bit nice of them"
icy piled Mr.. Merriam, with a trace
m irony In his voice.
err "No; l don't want to be mayor. I