The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-06-08

4 y
know whether you wish to see or not;'
and he turned it over in his hand.
zone of your famous crank letters?''
queried Mr.. Brayton. Better let me
see 1t, If it's good one;" and he smiled
as he held out his hand for it.
Young Temple went out from the
Office and shut the door and stood gaz-
ing down into the tumultuous street.
Poor little cuss," he said to himself;
"you pin all your faith in the goodness
of rich men. don't you?"
But in a moment his meditations
were disturbed. Mr.. Brayton was a
tnan of action, and he stood in the
doorway now.
"Temple!' he called. His voice was
quick and incisive. "Go out and buy a
ticket to that unknown place, will
you; and you, Miss Curry" turning to
the typewriter, Inform johnnie Lee.
Esq, that Robert Brayton will receive
him in his Office at Mr. Lees earliest
convenience. And inclose ticket,
please"
Her fingers flew over the keys, and
Temple, who was half way to the door,
stopped moment. The youngster
may not have any decent Clothes" he
suggested.
Mr.. Brayton looked thoughtful q
moment.
"Pshaw! never mind, let us see him
as he Isl" and the man of business
went back to his stocks and bonds.
Three days passed and the episode
had not been mentioned in the office.
| Early on the morning of the fourth
day, long before fashionable New York
was awake, there was timid knock at
the Office door. Then it opened.
1t was queer little figure that stood
there, but Temple knew it at once. 1t
was Johnnie Lee. He was happy
looking youngster, ronnd-faced and
tanned and freckled. His clothes bore
the unmistakable stamp of home man
ufacture from cast-off garments But
| 1t was CHEEKY voice that spoke:
"Howdy do! Mr.. Brayton to home?
I'm Johnnie Lee"
NO" Temple informed him, .Mr.
Brayton wasn't in yet; he could wait"
And he gave him chair and proceeded
to question him how he managed to
find his way.
"Oh," Johnnie said, Gusts soon's /
got your letter WANTED ter start right
off; but had to wait fer ma to make
me new coat" He glanced proudly
at the ill-fitting jacket.
1T was great fun coming, cause in
one place the cars was awful crowded, |
and lots of folks had to stand. One |
fellow wanted me to give him my seat, |
and the conductor said I'd better, too,
cause l was youngster, and could |
stands well as not. But, sir, says /. !
no sir, l amt a-giving up seats this
trip, and wish to be comfortable my
self, for have business with Mr.. Rob-
ert Brayton. Then he looked at me
queer and walked away. New York's |
an awful big place, amt it? I've
walked about a million miles, and | /
thought must have got here hum
dred times. I should think you'd find |
it pretty hard work getting here every
day, don't your"
Temple assured him, very gravely,
that 1t was very easy after one knew
the way.
And as they kept on talking Johnnie
expressed his opinion on all subjects
from the revival at home to the Brook
lyn strike. He was an independent, he
declared. He wouldn't be a democrat,
because Tom Faber was, and he
wouldn't be anything Tom was. He
didn't quite like being a republican,
either. It was more convenient to be
on the fence.
just here Mr.. Brayton came in.
Johnnie didn't notice him particularly,
for good many had come in since he
had sat there. So for moment or two
Mr.. Brayton listened with the others,
then walked into his Office, telling Tenn
pie to send the youngster in"
And Johnnie went in; and just what
took place no one ever ,
knew. The clerks in the outer Office .
could hear the hum of voices. the rich,
hull voice of Mr.. Brayton and the eager,
voice of the boy. Then, when ,
Mr.. Brayton began to be in demand, ,
Johnnie was sent out, and Temple was
old to make him useful until noon.
30, until twelve, he was kept at one .
hing and another; then when Mr..
Brayton went out, he took Johnnie ].
With him. r.
First they went for lunch. Johnnie r
III unconscious Of the interest and !,
he created. and Mr.. Bray
on only smiled and raised his eye
'rows when his acquaintance looked,
bowed and looked again.
JOHNNIE was modest in his desires
or lunch. He despised soup-too :
vatery for him, sir. He guessed he'd
AVE some turkey and stuffin' and
weet potato, pumpkin pie, ice cream
md nuts.
These disposed of, they went to a
tore, where Johnnie was told to select =
N eye like Nellie's; and as he did so, :
dr.. Brayton stood near the window,