The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-07-11
WINNING A FRIEND.

Here is little story which never be- fore has been told in print, but which is surely as well worth the telling as the histories of wars and crimes and sharp tricks in the money market with which our papers and minds are filled nowa- days.
 A certain shrewd Hebrew merchant, whom we shall call Lejec, built, a few years ago, huge department store in one of our large cities. It was planned to occupy whole block. But the cor ner lot, forty feet square, was owned by an old German watchmaker named Weber, who refused to sell it.
 No, will not give up my house, he said. T bought it when property here was cheap, and have lived and worked here for f1fty-two years. I will not sell it."
 But" Lejee 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 a small corner room in the second story, with an open fire place around which were set some old Dutch tiles. A battered walnut desk was fitted into the wall, and before it stood an old chair and sheepskin cov- CT.
 The old mans face grew red. You are right" he said. T don't work here. I have enough to live on without work. But am an old man, and want to live in this room. It is home to me. When my wife and I first came here we were poor. I worked in the shop below, but we lived here. Greta fried the cakes and wurst over that fire; the cradle stood in that corner. Little Jan was born here; his coffin was carried out of that door, Greta is dead for many a long year. But when I sit here and look out of the window, think she is with me. For thirty years she and looked out of that window and talked of the CHdIlSGS III JilS 5LlSCL pSlON'
 Lejee was silenced for the time, but began his arguments again the next day, doubling his offer
 The lot is worth that to me-" he said, "as I own the block, but to nobody else, You are throwing away large sum which would be a great help to your sons that you may indulge bit of sen- timent. 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 gaves his con- sent, and the sale was made.
 The old 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 Lejee one day asked him to come in He led him through the great crowded salesrooms, piled one on top of another for nine stories, and then drew him into a narrow passage and flung open a door.
 There is your little office, just as you left it. he said. We have built around it, and beside it, and over it, but not a brick in it has been touched. There is your fire with the old tiles and your desk, and your chair was brought back to-day. It is your office, MT. Weber, and if you will sit here as long as you live and watch the changes in the street below, shall feel there is a blessing on the big house, because I have friend in Congregations