"Here's a communication from a constituent in the country. He applies for seed. Send it to the Agricultural Department with my endorsement."
Mr. Conway noted the instructions on a corner of the envelope, using a sort of shorthand that was all his own.
After this came a letter from an inventive genius, who had a flying machine which he wished to have adopted by the United States Army. It was referred to the Secretary of War. There were twenty or thirty letters asking for information of bills that were pending. They were laid aside to be answered in their turn. Finally they reached a communication from a poor widow who was applying for a pension. Mr. Carlton carefully deciphered the uncertain handwriting and then said to his assistant:
"Felix, I wish you would take this up in person with the head of the Pension Bureau. I think the woman deserves consideration. Her husband served his country in its hour of need, and this nation is too great to neglect those who have risked their lives in its service."
"Have you anything else?" asked the young man.
"Yes," was the reply, "here is a five-page letter."
"What is it?"
"It is from a man who wants me to get the Army to purchase a new kind of saddle that he has constructed."
"What shall I say to him?"
"Tell him that I'm not a salesman."