"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.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25