Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-08-14
A San Francisco Story.

THE old Government buildings on Wash
ington street are making way for the APP
'praiser's stores, and with them will dis
appear the monthly book vendors, the
candy merchants, the markingink eulo
gists, and all those traders who have sc
long made this their rendezvous. There
is little story in connection with these
buildings which the writer learned from d
gentleman who knew the parties con
cerned Like many of the incidents
which occur daily in this country OF
change and excitement, it has a strong
piece of romance, and would not furnish
a bad plot for the writers in the sensational
weeklies.
Every day for five years, no matter how
heavily the winter rain came down, or the
gusty summer wind swept from the hill
tops, an old man took up his position
near the post-otfice, and sat until dusk be-
hind his tray of assorted candies. Chill
dren on their way to mail or demand let
tiers, patronized the old candy merchant.
He appeared to shun acquaintanceships
with his professional brethren, and no
matter what novelties they introduced in
their business, he kept aloof from cOmpe-
ttion, and adhered strictly to the legiti-
mate sweet stutfs.
Among the customers came one day a
bright-eyed, neatly-dressed urchin, who
put down his five cents, and boldly de
manded 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 off with his
mouth full. The next day the little chap
,Dl IL
five cents worth of candy. One morning
the candy merchant, while wrapping up
his young customers purchase, asked tho
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 accom-
pany him to his mothers house. Tie
boy conducted him to pleasant residence
on Bryant street The mother opened the
door, and the moment her eyes fell on the
candy merchant she threw her arms
around him, and, sobbing violently, called
him Father"
1t appears that at one time the candy
man was a Well-to do merchant in Port
land, Maine. His eldest daughter el0ped
with gambler, man who had a very
hard reputation in that town. On coming
to California, however, he gave up his
regular encounters with the tiger" and
devoted himself to specializing in mining
stocks. He was fortunate, grew wealthy,
bought real estate, and won the name Of
being an honorable and generous man
His wife wrote back to Portland, but her
letters we're returned, for her father had
failed in business, her mother was dead,
and the other members Of the family set
tied in New York. The old man then
came to California, not knowing of his
daughters whereabouts, and after many
unsuccessful efforts, finally went into
selling candy. Something in the little
boys face reminded him of his daughter,
anc when he heard the name he remem-
bcred the handsome gambler against
whom he bad so often warned his willful
child. The reunion was very happy
one, and the candy profession has lost
one Of its mcmbers.-.Sdn Frdnc5sc0 Post