All the prizes drawn were small, with the
exception of one ten-cent prize, which was drawn by a little bootblack,
who exclaimed:
"That's the way to do business, Johnny. If you've got any more of them
ten-cent prizes, I'll give you ten cents a piece for the lot."
"Better buy some more and see," said Paul.
"That don't go down," said the other. "Maybe there'd be only a penny."
Nevertheless, the effect of this large prize was to influence the sale
of three other packages; but as neither of these contained more than
two-cent prizes, trade began to grow dull, and for ten minutes all
Paul's eloquent appeals to gentlemen to walk up and try their luck
produced no effect.
At this point Paul found that there was a rival in the field.
Teddy O'Brien, who had applied for a partnership the day before, came
up with a basket similar to his own, apparently filled with similar
packages. He took a position about six feet distant from Paul, and began
to cry out, in a shrill voice:
"Here's your bully prize packages! Best in the market! Here's where you
get your big prizes, fifty cents in some of 'em. Walk up boys, tumble
up, and take your pick afore they're gone. Fifty cents for five!"
"That's a lie, Teddy," said Paul, who saw that his rival's attractive
announcement was likely to spoil his trade.
"No, 'tisn't," said Teddy. "If you don't believe it, just buy one and
see.
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