The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-04-25
open it, he noticed that young Temple

| what is lt?' he asked.
| Here is a letter." hesitatingly re-
piled the young man, (which | don't
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 it, 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 gar
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
man 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 a 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 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 a happy
| looking youngster, round-faced and
tanned and freckled. His clothes bore
the unmistakable stamp of home man
ufacture from cast-otf 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" 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 a youngster, and could
stands well as not. But sir, says /,
no sir, I amt a-giving up seats this
trip, and l wish to be comfortable my
self, for | have business with Mr.. Rob
ert Bray ton. 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 hum
dred times. l should think you'd find
it pretty hard work getting here every
day, don't your"
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 democrat,
because Tom Faber was, and he
wouldn't be anything Tom was. He
didn't quite like being republican,
either. 1t was more convenient to be
/ IN 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 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. Bray ton 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 Nellies; and as he did so
Mr. Brayton stood near the window
apparently looking; but his sharp eye
was on the boy and his quick cal
caught the conversation.
No" said Johnnie. very emphatic
ally, that isn't the color at all It's
different blue, just like the lake ir
/, | l.