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Alger, Horatio, 1832-1899

"Paul the Peddler, or the Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant"

I don't want
no thieves nor jail birds in my house, and the sooner you pay your bill
and leave, the better I'll like it."
"I'll leave as soon as you like, but I can't pay your bill."
"I dare say," retorted the landlady. "You're a nice character to cheat
an honest woman out of four weeks' board."

"Well, Paul, what news?" asked Barry.
"I am ready to buy your stand," said Paul.
"Can you pay me all the money down?"
"On the spot."
"Then it is all settled," said Barry, with satisfaction. "I am glad of
it, for now I shall be able to go on to Philadelphia to-morrow."
Paul drew a roll of bills from his pocket, and proceeded to count
out thirty-five dollars. Barry noticed with surprise that he had a
considerable amount left.
"You are getting rich, Paul," he said.
"I am not rich yet," answered Paul, "but I mean to be some time if I can
accomplish it by industry and attention to business."
"You'll be sure to succeed," said George Barry. "You're just the right
sort. Good-by, old fellow. When you come on to Philadelphia come and see
me."
"I may establish a branch stand in Philadelphia before long," said Paul,
jocosely.

CHAPTER XXVI
CONCLUSION
When Paul was left in charge of the stand, and realized that it was his
own, he felt a degree of satisfaction which can be imagined. He had been
a newsboy, a baggage-smasher, and in fact had pretty much gone the round
of the street trades, but now he felt that he had advanced one step
higher.


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