Slow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-Merchant
home," said Mrs. Hoffman. "I must
ind by no means shared the weakness of his body. Though only eight years of age he already manifested a remarkable taste and talent for drawing, in which
Jimmy," said Mrs. Hoffma
e of Harper's Weekly. It was an ambitious attempt on the part of so young a pupil, but he had succeeded remar
immy," said his mothe
boy looke
ll be an artist so
only obtain suitable instruction. However, there is
traightening up his slender form with the p
l. I had fo
ul when I get as old," said Jimmy thoughtfully.
ongest who earn the most
smart as we
r a boy of your age, and in drawing I think Paul
y la
ul tried to draw a horse the other
ve our different gifts. Paul
l be rich som
think he will make a
eside rolls and butter, there was a plate of cold meat, an apple pie, and a pot of steaming hot tea. The cloth was scrupulously clean, and I
n, Paul, supplemented by the pittance she obtained for sewing. Paul, a smart, enterprising boy, after trying most of the street occupations, had become a young street merchant. By a lucky chance he had obtained capital enough to buy out a necktie stand below the Astor House, where his tact an
idence and self-reliance, which he had acquired through his independent efforts to gain a livelihood. He had been thrown upon his own resources at an age when most boys have everything done for them, and
y, "I am glad supper is ready,
aid his mother, smiling. "If not, we will
?" asked Jimmy, soberly
supper, Jimmy, and you
k like cows, Paul," s
aid Paul, with much indignation,
last picture," said Jimmy. "It
mmy. I don't think it
s brother with a look
do it better myself," said P
l. I hope some time I can do
l be a famous artist some day, and ma
I would like-
no idea you were
s you are doing, Paul. Do you think
," added Paul in a tone of satisfaction. "Did you know, mother,
with interest. "Have you succe
knives. They help along my profits. Why, I sold four kn
at is indeed
ge for a whole day's earnings be
s did you sell, P
d four
fit did you m
ts. Can you tell ho
her it out o
ety-six cents. That added to the money I made on the
three
, but then I don't always sell as ma
n neckties to-day, Pa
you did too m
sn't much work a
dollar and twent
ught to pay me five
teen cents for selling a tie, certainly yo
y goes to supp
does yours
I went up to Stewart's to-day and bought a dre
onsidering that you are the mother of a successful merchan
ew suit to-morrow. He is e
are getting to be, Jimmy! How
nted," said Ji
r consideration. I'll tell you what, Jimmy, I'll close up my business at twelve o'clock, and give all my clerks a half-holiday. The
is eyes brightening at the prospect. "There'
ut eighteen fe
re making
, one or the other. Then there's a d
. He couldn't be so
hen it's settled that we go to the museu
Hoffman, "and I presume I shall