The Detroit times., 1909-06-07
JOHN. PAXTON IS
A HERO UNSUNG
Boy With Sightless Eyes Works
Many Hours Each Day to Support
His Mother and Sister.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. June AT
the corner OF California and Devils
adero-sts., San Francisco. in a little
booth scarce large enough TO hold two
full grown men, there stands today a
blind boy. selling papers. cigars and
magazines.
His sightless eyes are very blue and
very mild; his face is round and
dimpled, and his mouth is small and
undeveloped. like a childs.
This is John w. Paxton, son of Blitz
Paxton, a California millionaire. He
is hero.
John Paxton does not look upon
himself as hero. True heroes do not.
Yet there are few strong men who
rank higher than this blind boy in
courage, steadfastness and all that
makes for true nobility of soul.
Adversely came to John Paxton
many years ago. so long ago. in fact,
that he can remember nothing else.
His mother. a beautiful and accom-
plished girl of IS. married Blitz Pax
ton 20 years ago. John was born two
years afterward and his sister Roma,
a year later. When both were still
babies Mrs. Paxton suddenly left her
husband and returned to her home in
Rochester, N. Y. There. when he was
but years old, John fell. striking his
head. Through An injury to the optic
rerve he was plunged into world OF
darkness. The fees of specialists swal-
lowed up Mrs, Paxton's modest bank
account and the resources of her father
as well.
When the latter died, she was left
practically penniless. She choked back
her pride and journeyed to California
TO secure from her former husband,
Paxton. the millionaire banker, an al
lowance TO support the children. She
made no plea for herself He con-
scented to a small monthly allowance.
but when he was married a second
time. soon after, he suddenly cut of
the allowance. Then, desperate, the
iirst Mrs Paxton appealed to the
courts for justice. Paxton came into
court clad in garments fashioned by
London tailor, to make the extra
ordinary plea OF poverty.
John Paxton listened to the pro-
ceedings without emotion. He faced
the problem of protecting his mother
and beautiful sister from poverty.
When his father was forced to put
up $4,000 as a bond until the suit of
Mrs. Paxton should be decided, the
boy with the mild, sightless eyes Sc
Cured an attachment on the mUnry
and started in business. his assets a
stock OF cigars, magazines and news
papers, a months rent paid for his
Tooth. and an abiding faith In the
honesty of his fellow men.
He made no plea for patronage on
the score of his affliction. He learned
to make change, 10 find, with his fin
gers. any article asked for. To com
pete with other stands meant from Ia
to Is hours in his booth every day In
the week, for he could not afford an
assistant. Success meant comfort for
his aging mother and a completed edu-
cation for his sister Failure meant
hardship for all.
John Paxton succeeded. Today he
is a happy boy. hard working and
moderately prosperous.
Il find very few people who are not
honest" he says. when my sister
helps me cash up in the evening. the
money is always Just right and the
stock Is as II should be. or course,
when | sell cigars, man might easily
take more cigars than he is entitled
to: but he never does. think. People
are very friendly. I know the keys on
the cash register perfectly and can
always tell by the feeling just what
coin is given me and what return.
There are many heroes unsung.
John Paxton. cigar merchant. is one.