Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-12-08
How a ShreWd Jew
Won a Sincere Friend

Here Is a 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 cur minds are filled nowadays,
says writer in the COngregationalist
A certain shrewd Hebrew merchant,
whom we shall call Kejee, built, few
years ago, huge department store in
one of our large cities. 1t was plan
ned to occupy a whole block. But the
corner lot, forty feet square, was owned
by an old German matchmaker named
Weber, who refused to sell It,.
mo, l will not give up my house."
he said. Il bought it when property
here was cheap, and have lived and
worked here for fifty-two years. l 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 small corner room
in the second story. with an open fire.
place around which We're set some old
Dutch tiles. A battered walnut desk
was fitted into the wall and before it
stood an old chair and sheepskin
cover.
1,<, oil me PO
are right" he said. Il don't work
here. l have enough to live OH 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
We're poor. 1 worked In the shop be-
low, 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 long year. But when l sit here
and look out of the window think she
is with me. For thirty years she and
l looked out of that window and talked
Of the changes in the street below"
Lejee was silenced for the time, but
began his arguments again the next
day. doubling his offer.
1.-THE lot is worth that to me-" he
said, las l own the block, but to no.
body else. You are throwing away a
large sum which would be great help
to your sons that you may indulge
bit of sentiment. Have you the right
to do thatY'
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 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 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 is your fire with the old tiles and
your desk, and your chair was brought
back to-day. 1t is your office. Mr.. Web
er, 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 a
blessing on the big house because l
have friend in It,"