"You don't want to hire me to sell for you, do you?"
"That's where you're right. I don't."
"I'd like to go into the business."
"You'd better open a second-hand clothing store," suggested Paul,
glancing at his companion's ragged attire.
"Maybe I will," said Jim with a grin, "if you'll buy of me."
"I don't like the style," said Paul. "Who's your tailor?"
"He lives round in Chatham street. Say, can't you lend a fellow a couple
of shillin' to buy some breakfast?"
"Have you done any work to-day?"
"No."
"Then you can't expect to eat if you don't work."
"I didn't have no money to start with."
"Suppose you had a quarter, what would you do?"
"I'd buy a ten-cent plate of meat, and buy some evenin' papers with the
rest."
"If you'll do that, I'll give you what you ask for."
"You'll give me two shillin'?" repeated Jim, incredulously, for he
remembered how he had wronged Paul.
"Yes," said Paul. "Here's the money;" and he drew a twenty-five-cent
piece from his vest pocket, and handed it to Jim.
"You give me that after the mean trick I played you?" said Jim.
"Yes; I am sorry for you and want to help you along."
"You're a brick!" exclaimed Jim, emphatically. "If any feller tries to
play a trick on you, you just tell me, and I'll lam him."
"All right, Jim!" said Paul, kindly; "I'll remember it."
"There ain't anybody you want licked, is there?" asked Jim, earnestly.
Pages:
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180