Paul the Peddler; Or, The Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant

s a slender, dark-complexioned young m

for over a year, and whenever he passed his st

how's busines

y. "That isn't wh

is it,

ght not to be o

he matter

feel hot and feverish. I ou

on't y

leave my

o that than to ge

ve a fever. One minute I'm hot, another I'm co

et somebody to t

hat I could trust. They'd sell my g

, who saw a chance to benefit

afraid I couldn't pay you enough to mak

ckage business, but two fellows stole my stock in trade, and I'm not going

my place for a day or two, for

be sure

n honest boy, Paul. But I do

u sell a day?" asked Pau

ozen on an

ch profit d

half p

s at twenty-five cents each would bring three

place for half p

Barry. "I'll accept your

es

nd go to bed. It's t

round after closing up,

You know w

not s

leecker

e up this

way, leaving Paul in

in Paul's circumstances can be trusted, but he fe

eir own food, which was, of course, much cheaper than boarding. Still, the loss of the young man's earnings, even for a short time, would have been felt, though they had a reserve of a hundred dollars in a savings bank, from which they might draw if necessary. But George did not like to do this. The arrangement which he made with Paul was a satisfactory one, for with half his usu

ho understood sickness, at onc

George," she said, cheerfully; "we s

he said. "I've got Paul Hoffman to

man! Do I

ver been here but I hav

ou tru

boy, and as honest as he is smart. I thin

arrangement. You needn

iness will g

ke to see yo

round this evening to let me know how he's g

go to sleep, if you can. I'll make you s

iness. He was sorry his friend was sick, but he con

ng prize packages," thought Paul.

g rent to pay. Paul felt that it was almost like having a shop of his own. He had always looked up to George Barry as standing higher than himself in a busi

ales as possible. Besides, he thought he would like to prove to George

ose who asked for them, but had no particular talent for attracting trade. He would have been a fair clerk, but was never likely to rise above a very moderate succe

arry," he said to himself. "I don't

t profitable, so far as business was concer

ell six neckties to come up to the average of h

g man glancing at his stock, and he observed that he

necktie to-day?" a

aid the other. "W

e for twenty-five cents.

cheap. Let me

ill suit your comp

retty one. I thi

he rolled it up. "You see, we have no rent to pay, and so we can

live in the city. I am here only for a day

n half a dozen, while you are about it. It'll only be a doll

m the suggestion impressed favorably. "As you say, it's

said Paul, briskly, "unless ther

e that

What shall b

entire half-dozen, and deposited a

, "and if you have any friends com

" said t

tand south of the Astor Hou

s average sales already, and I've only been here fifteen minutes. Let me see, wh

anner and timely word had increased his purchase sixfold. That is generally the difference between a poor salesman and one of the first class. Anybody can sell to those who are anxious to buy; but it takes a

ld that man so many ties," thought Paul. "I

n the course of an hour more, Paul had sold three more to single customers. Then came a man who bought two. Then there was a lull, and for an hour Paul sold none a

ree cents," thought Paul, with satisfactio