San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-18
A SMART TEXAS YOUTH.
He Journeys from Dallas to New
York without a Cent.

he Journeys from Dallas to New
York without a Cent.
From the New York World.
A slender, yellow-haired, frank
faced boy is more than ordinarily
distinguished guest at the police
headquarters nursery today.
John Tracy il 16, and has a face and
manner to inspire confidence in his
ability to DO anything. There is
nothing of the wild western bragga-
docio about him. He simply knows
what he wants, and his brain is quick
in devising means Of getting it.
A month ago John was a bell BOY
in the Mcleod Hotel, in Dallas, Tex.
He was born in Bryan, in the same
state, but his father and mother be-
ing dead he lived with grand uncle
in Dallas. When John announced
his intention to 60 to New York to
seek out his nearest living relative, a
cousin of the name of Claudia, the
uncle said, "All right"
Probably he knew that it was of no
use saying anything else, and John
started.
He had no money, but that was to
him no obstacle. He had laid out
route by rail up the Mississippi, and
he went by it just as though he own
ed the road. He simply told the con-
ductors where he was going, and the
conductors, sizing up the lad in a sim
gle look, passed HIM along and gave
him food.
Once in while the boy would stop
off TO have Look at the town, ard
would take the next train, always
with the same experience.
Coming thus, by way of Memphis,
st. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati and
Buffalo, he reached New York and
his journeys end yesterday on New
York Cen trail train.
Johnny went out of the Grand Cen
trail depot to take look at things as
soon as he got in, and concluded,
after brief inspection, that New
York was considerable of town, and
that he might consequently have
trouble in finding his cousin. of whom
he only knew that she was married to
q man by the name of Knox, with
sideboards." Claudia Knox, that
was all.
The lad decided that under the cir.
the way to do was to 60
to work and prosecute his inquiries
until he found her. The office of the
Union News company was handy,
and he applied Tor job without de-
lay. - p
Whoever was at the desk there
missed the opportunity of lifetime
in the way of securing an employee. |
John would have been superintendent |
of the company before he had time to |
grow beard. He was told, however,
that he must go away and get "secu-
rity."
The lad smiled at the notion and
went out to think it over. 1t was
evening, and it was cool and pleasant
along the North River, which he had
reached in the stroll. A policeman
found him there, getting ready to
turn in for the night" on a plank as
as if it was a bed in the
Fifth Avenue hotel. The officer kind
ly took him to police headquarters.
Sergeant Rheinisch scratched his
head as he counted the Knoxes In the
directory this morning, and tried
vainly to fix upon one as the probable
husband OF John Tracey's cousin.
The lad looked over his shoulder
with humorous twinkle in his eye.
Let me copy them out" he said.
They're goOdly lot, but can go to
hem all and ask"
"You have got a job on hand to do
hat, my boy" said the Sergeant.
This is a bigger town than you
,hink."
"Well," said Johnny, what is the
natter with writing them letter, to
'ay that Claudia's cousin is here look
ng for her,"
That Is what will probably be done
n order to discover the right Mrs.
Knox. Meanwhile John Tracy, of
Texas, rests at headquarters, none
The worse for his long journey.