The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-17
From the San Francisco Post.l
The BASIS OF a Popular Novel from she
Pacific Coast.

The old government buildings on Wash,
ington street are making way for the APP
praiser's stores, and with them will disap-
pear the moldy book vendors, the candy
merchants, the marking-ink eulogists, and
all those traders who have made for SC
long this quarter their rendezvous There
is a little story in connection with these
buildings which the writer learned from q
gentleman who knew the parties concerned.
Like many of the incidents which occur
daily in this country of change and excite
ment it has a strong spice of romance, and
would not furnish bad plot for the writers
in the sensational weekles.
Every day for five years, no matter how
heavily the winter rain came down, or the
gusty summer winds swept from the hill
tops, an old man took up his position near
the postoffice, and sat until dusk behind his
tray Of assorted candies. Children on their
way to mail or demand letters, patrOnized
the old candy merchant. He appeared to
shun acquaintanceship with his professional
brethren, and no matter what novelties they
introduced in their business, he kept aloof
from competition, and adhered strictly to
the legitimate sweet stuffs.
Among his customers came one day a
bright-eyed, neatly dressed urchin, who
put down his five cents and boldly demand
ed its equivalent in molasses candy. While
the old fellow wrapped it up in the scanty
piece of brown paper, he looked wistfully
into the urchin's eyes. The boy took his
candy and went of with his mouth full
The next day the little chap turned up
again, and again purchased his FIVE cents
worth Of candy. One morning the candy
merchant, whilst wrapping up his young
customers purchase, asked the name of his
patron. The little fellow gave it.
The candy man Immediately removed his
tray TO the care Of a fellow merchant, and
told the boy that he would accompany him
10 his mothers house. The bov conducted
him to pleasant residence on Bryan street.
His mother opened the door. and the mo-
ment her eyes fell on the candy merchant
she threw her arms around him, and. sob
bling violently, called him ssFather.
Il appears that at one time the candy
man was a Well-to-do merchant in Portland.
Maine. His eldest daughter elOptd with q
gambler, q man who had a very hard repu-
tation Ia that town. Oncoming to Caliior-
MIA. however, he gave up his regular sets 20
with the tiger and devoted himself to
Specializing in mining stock. He was for
tnnate. grew wealthy. bought real estate,
aud won che name Of being an honorable
and generous man. His wife wrote back
10 Portland, but her letters were returned,
for her father had failed IN business, her
mother was dead, and the other members Of
the family had settled IN New York. The
old man then came 10 California, not know
ing bis daughters whereabouts, aud, after
many unsuccessful Efforts, finally went into
selling candy. Something IN the little boy :
face reminded him Of his daughter, and
when be heard the name he remembered the
handsome gambler, against whom he had
- often warned his willfnl child. The re-
union was very happy one. and the candy
profession he's lost one 81 is members.