The Van Buren press., 1895-05-11

q rich men. don't you7'
Int In = noIheut his meditationa
wers distushsd. Mr.. Brayton was !
usan Of action. and he stood In the
doorway now.
ssrempler" he called. His voice wsa
quick and incisive. ''Go out and buy q
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 ct Mr.. Lees earliest
convenience. And inclose ticket,
please"
Her fingers few over tho keys, and
Temple, who was half way to the door.
stopped q moment. ''The youngster
may not have any decent clothes." he
suggested.
Mr.. Brayton looked thoughtfui .
moment
"Pshawl never mind. let us see him
rs 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 1t
the office door. Then It opened.
II was q queer little figure that stood
there, but Temple knew it ut once. 1t
was Johnnie Lee. He was = happy
looking youngstcr, round-faced and
tanned and freckled. His clothes bore
tho unmistakable stamp Of home man
ufacturc from cast-of garments But
It was CHEEKY voice that spoke:
.Howdy do! Mr.. Brayton to home?
I'm johnnie Lee"
no" Temple informed him. .sMr.
Brayton wasn't in yet; he could wait /"
Aud he gave him chair and proceeded
to question him how he managed to
find his way.
.s0h," Johnnie said, ''just's soon's l
got your letter wanted ter start right
of; but l 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,
fellow wanted me to give him my seat,
and the conductor said I'dsbester, too,
cause 1 was youngster, and could
stands well as not. But, sir, says /,
no sir, amt a-giving mp seats this
trip and 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. I 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
lyn 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 quito 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. 80 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 ont, he took Johnnie
with him. {N
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 acquaintances 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 soms turkey and stuffin' and
sweet potato, pumpkin pie, ice cream
snd nuts
These disposed of, they went TO .
store, where johnnie was. told to select
IN eye like sNellie's; and as he did 60.
Mr.. Brayton stood near the window,
apparently looking; but his sharp eye
was on the boy and his quick ear
caught the conversation.
NO" said Johnnie. very emphatic-
ally, that isn't the color at all. It's
a different blue, just like the lake in
summer when there amt any clouds. :"
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 i'll" he cried. Lets see
her."
That IL an Imported ono o. tho very
finest material, remarked the clerk
with q doubtful glance ut Johnnie,
and an inquiring one at Mr.. Brayton's
back, ''and 1t costs great deal"
"Well," said Johnnie, drawing him
self up with IN air of superiority. II
just guess yon don't know who wants
to buy that eye. Mr.. sBrayton here,
sir, can buy anything IN Ill this world
that he wantA Ruess II YOU 4 doniy
ona eye. you'd want the other to Be
like It, even Il It ID imported,'" with :
mimiching stress on the word
Here Mr.. BrSyton interposed.
'Let the boy have It. he said; and