Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-08-02
WINNING A FRIEND.
A story That liz Refreshing In These
Nuney Grabbing Days.


Muney Grabbing Days.
Here is 4 little story which never
before has been told in print, but
which is surely as well worth the tell
ING MS the histories of wars and crimes
and sharp tricks in the money market
with whlch our papers and minds are
filled nowadays.
A certain shrewd Hebrew merchant
whom we snail call Lejee. built few
years ago huge department store in
one of our large cities. 1t was planned
TO occupy a whole block. But the cor
ncr lot. forty feet square. was owned
bv an old German matchmaker named
Weber, WHO refused to sell it.
NO. will not give up my house, "
he said. Il bought it when property
here was cheap, and l have lived and
worked here for fifty-two years. | will
not sell it"
But" Leice patiently reasoned,
you virtually gave up business years
ago. You make or sell no watches
now. Your sons have other pursuits
You don't live in the house-only sit
in this office all day long. looking out
of the window
The Office was small corner room
In the second story, with an open fire
place around which were set some
old Dutch tiles. \ battered walnut
desk was fitted into the wall. and be-
fore it stood an old chair and a sheep
skin cover.
The old mans face grew red. you
are right he said. Il don't work
here have enough to live on without
work. But l am an old man and want
to live in this room. 1t is home to me-
When my wife and ! first came here
we were poor. worked in the shop
below. but we lived here. Greta fried
the cakes ana wurSt over that fire;
the cradle stood in that corner Little
Jan was born here: his coffin was car
ried out of that door Greta is dead
for many long year. Eut when | sit
here and look Olt Of the window l
think she is with me For thirty years
she and | looked out of that window
and talked cf the changes IN the street
below
Leiee was Sicnccd for the time. but
began his arguments again the next
day. doubling his offer.
THE lot is worth that to me-" he
said, las l own the block, but to no
body else. You are throwing away n
large sum which would be a great
help to your sons that you may in
dulge a bit of sentiment. Have you
the right to do that?'
Weber was hard pushed. His boys
were struggling on with small means;
this money would set them on their
feet. would enable them to marry.
What right had he to spoil their lives
that he might sit and dream of old
times? The next day he gave his con-
sent, and the sale was made.
The cid man lived in the suburbs; he
never came to that part Of the town
while the building was in progress.
When it was finished and the huge de-
partment store was thrown open TO
the public Lejce one day asked him
TO come in. He led him through the
great crowded SalcSroomS. piled one
on top of another for nine stories. ana
then drew him into a narrow passage
and flung open Il door
There is your little office just as you
left it," he said I'VE have built around
it and beside it and over it, but not
brick in it has been touched. There
are your fire with the old tiles and your
desk, and your chair was brought back
today. 1t is your office. Mr.. Weber,
and if you will sit here as long as you
live and think Of them that are gone
and watch the changes in the street
below l shall feel there is blessing
on the big house, because l have
friend in it."-COngregatiOnalist.