Paul the Peddler | Page 4

a prize," said the buyer. "Where's your ten cents?"
"I didn't say I put ten cents into every package," answered Paul.

"I'd burst up pretty quick if I did that. Who'll have another package?
Only five cents!"
Curiosity and taste for speculation are as prevalent among children as
with men, so this appeal produced its effect.
"Give me a package," said Teddy O'Brien, a newsboy, stretching out a
dirty hand, containing the stipulated sum. He also was watched
curiously as he opened the package. He drew out a paper bearing the
words- Two Cents.
"Bully for you, Teddy! You've had better luck than I," said the
bootblack.
The check was duly honored, and Teddy seemed satisfied, though the
amount of candy he received probably could not have cost over
half-a-cent. Still, he had drawn twice as large a prize as the first buyer,
and that was satisfactory.
"Who'll take the next?" asked Paul, in a businesslike manner. "Maybe
there's ten cents in this package. That's where you double your money.
Walk up, gentlemen. Only five cents!"
Three more responded to this invitation, one drawing a prize of two
cents, the other two of one cent each. Just then, as it seemed doubtful
whether any more would be purchased by those present, a young man,
employed in a Wall street house, came out of the post office.
"What have you got here?" he asked, pausing.
"Prize packages of candy! Money prize in every package! Only five
cents!"
"Give me one, then. I never drew a prize in my life."
The exchange was speedily made.
"I don't see any prize," he said, opening it.

"It's on a bit of paper, mister," said Teddy, nearly as much interested as
if it had been his own purchase.
"Oh, yes, I see. Well, I'm in luck. Ten cents!"
"Ten cents!" exclaimed several of the less fortunate buyers, with a
shade of envy.
"Here's your prize, mister," said Paul, drawing out a ten-cent stamp
from his vest pocket.
"Well, Johnny, you do things on the square, that's a fact. Just keep the
ten cents, and give me two more packages."
This Paul did with alacrity; but the Wall street clerk's luck was at an
end. He got two prizes of a penny each.
"Well," he said, "I'm not much out of pocket. I've bought three
packages, and it's only cost me three cents."
The ten-cent prize produced a favorable effect on the business of the
young peddler. Five more packages were bought, and the contents
eagerly inspected; but no other large prize appeared. Two cents was the
maximum prize drawn. Their curiosity being satisfied, the crowd
dispersed; but it was not long before another gathered. In fact, Paul had
shown excellent judgment in selecting the front of the post office as his
place of business. Hundreds passed in and out every hour, besides those
who passed by on a different destination. Thus many ears caught the
young peddler's cry--"Prize packages! Only five cents apiece!"--and
made a purchase; most from curiosity, but some few attracted by the
businesslike bearing of the young merchant, and willing to encourage
him in his efforts to make a living. These last, as well as some of the
former class, declined to accept the prizes, so that these were so much
gain to Paul.
At length but one package remained, and this Paul was some time
getting rid of. At last a gentleman came up, holding a little boy of seven
by the hand.

"Oh, buy me the package, papa?" he said, drawing his father's attention.
"What is there in it, boy?" asked the gentleman.
"Candy," was the answer.
Alfred, for this was the little boy's name, renewed his entreaties, having,
like most boys, a taste for candy.
"There it is, Alfred," said his father, handing the package to his little
son.
"There's a prize inside," said Paul, seeing that they were about to pass.
"We must look for the prize by all means," said the gentleman. "What
is this? One cent?"
"Yes sir"; and Paul held out a cent to his customer.
"Never mind about that! You may keep the prize."
"I want it, pa," interposed Alfred, with his mouth full of candy.
"I'll give you another," said his father, still declining to accept the
proffered prize.
Paul now found himself in the enviable position of one who, at eleven
o'clock, had succeeded in disposing of his entire stock in trade, and that
at an excellent profit, as we soon shall see. Business had been more
brisk with him than with many merchants on a larger scale, who
sometimes keep open their shops all day without taking in enough to
pay expenses. But, then, it is to be considered that in Paul's case
expenses were not a formidable item. He had no rent to