The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-09
Outline Studies OF
Human Nature.
shrewd Hebrews Kindly Act.

Here Is a little story which never be-
fore has been told In print, but which Is
surely as well worth telling as the MS
tories of wars ana crimes ana snarp
tricks in the money market with wh'ch
our papers and minds are hiieo now
adays.
A certain shrewd Hebrew merchant.
whom we shall call Lejee. built few
years ago. a huge department store IN
one of our large cities 1t was pianneu
to occupy a whole block. But the corner
lot. forty feet square. was owned ny an
old German matchmaker named weber,
who refused to sell 1t.
mo. I will not give up my house." he
said. ~ bought IL when property mere
was cheap, and I have lived and worked
here for tifty-two years. 1 Will not seis
IT,"
But" 1.ejee patiently reasoned. you
virtually gave mp 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 fireplace
around which were set some old Dutch
| tiles. A battered walnut desk was fitted
! into the wall. and before 1t stood an old
chair and a sheeDskn cover.
The old mans face grew red. You
are right" he said II don't work here.
have enough to live on without WORK.
| But | am an old man. and want to 1--we
| I'm this room. 1t Is home to me. When
my wife and I first came here we were
poor. / worked in the shop below. but
we lived here. Greta fried the cakes a:d
| 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 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 tnat
window and talked Of the changes In the
street below"
Lejee was slenced for the time. but
began his arguments again the next ua!,
doubling his offer.
"rhe lot is worth that to me-" he said,
"as 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 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 consent, 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
| 1t was finished and the huge department
store was thrown open to the public,
Iejee 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 door.
| "'rhere is your little office lust as you
left it." he said. I'VE have built around
| it, and beside it, and over it, but not a
brick in it has been touched. There is
your fireplace with the old tiles. 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 pig
house. because 7 have a friend in it,
| The Congregatonaiist.