San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-28

Temple, who was half way to the door,
stopped moment. THE youngster
may not have any decent clothes" he
suggested.
Mr.. Brayton looked thoughtful a
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 n timid knock at
the Office door. Then it opened.
1t was queerlittle figure that stood
there, but Temple knew it ut once. It
was Johnnie Lee. He was a happy
looking youngstcr, round-faced and
tanned and freckled His clothes bore
the unmistakable stamp of home man
ufacture from cast-off garments. But
it was a 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, ''just's soon's |
got your letter WANTED ter start right
off; but had to wait fer ma to make
me new coat" lie glanced proudly
at the ill-ftting jacket.
s,,,,ga ~,
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 ia better, too,
cause | was a youngster, and could
stands we'll as not. But, sir, says l,
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 million miles, and l
thought must have got here a hun
dred times ! should think you'd find
it pretty hard work getting here every
day, don't you?"
Temple assured him, very gravely,.
that it 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
Ign 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. 1t was more convenient to be
on the fence.
Just here Mr.. Brayton came in.
Johnnie didn't notice him particularly,
for a good many had come in since he
had sat there. So for a 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
conversation took place no one ever
knew. The clerks in the outer Office
could hear the hum of voices, the rich,
full voice of Mr.. Brayton and the eager,
childish voice of the boy. Then, when
Mr.. Brayton began to be in demand,
Johnnie was sent out, and Temple was
told to make him useful until noon.
So, until twelve, he was kept at one
thing and another; then when Mir.
Brayton went out, he took Johnnie
with him.
First they went for lunch, Johnnie
all unconscious of the interest and
amusement he created, and Mr.. Bray
ton only smiled and raised his eye
brows when his acquaintance looked,
bowed and looked again.
JOHNNIE was modest in his desires
for lunch. He despised soup-too
watery for him, sir. He guessed he'd
have some turkey and stuffin' and
sweet potato, pumpkin pie, ice cream
and nuts.
These disposed of, they went to a
store, where Johnnie was told to select
an eye like Nellie's; and as he did so,
Mr.. Brayton stood near the window,
apparently looking; but his sharp eye
was on the boy and his quick ear
caught the conversation.
mo" said Johnnie. very emphatic
ally, that isn't the color at all It's
different blue, just like the lake in
" hGl an ihS SlOuAo"
One tray and another was brought,
but the blue that the boy wanted was
not there. Finally he spied an eye in
the showcase.
That's it," he cried. Lets see
her."
THAT is an imported one of the very
finest material" remarked the clerk,
with a doubtful glance at Johnnie,
and an inquiring one at Mr.. Brayton's
back, land it costs great deal"
"Well," said Johnnie, drawing him
self up with an air of superiority, II
just guess you don't know who wants
TO buy that eye. Mr.. Brayton here,
sir, can buy anything in all this world
that he wants 1 guess if you'd only
one eye, you'd want the other to be
like it, even if it is imported, >" with
mimicking stress on the word.
Here Mr.. Brayton interposed.
''Let the boy have it," he said; and
50, with the eye in its velvet box and
Johnnie's pockets stuffed with PAM