Paul the Peddler; Or, The Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant

Paul the Peddler; Or, The Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant
Horatio Alger

Jr. Horatio Alger

Paul the Peddler; Or, The Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant

CHAPTER I

PAUL THE PEDDLER

“Here’s your prize packages! Only five cents! Money prize in every package! Walk up, gentlemen, and try your luck!”

The speaker, a boy of fourteen, stood in front of the shabby brick building, on Nassau street, which has served for many years as the New York post office. In front of him, as he stood with his back to the building, was a small basket, filled with ordinary letter envelopes, each labeled “Prize Package.”

His attractive announcement, which, at that time, had also the merit of novelty—for Paul had himself hit upon the idea, and manufactured the packages, as we shall hereafter explain—drew around him a miscellaneous crowd, composed chiefly of boys.

“What’s in the packages, Johnny?” asked a bootblack, with his box strapped to his back.

“Candy,” answered Paul. “Buy one. Only five cents.”

“There ain’t much candy,” answered the bootblack, with a disparaging glance.

“What if there isn’t? There’s a prize.”

“How big a prize?”

“There’s a ten-cent stamp in some of ‘em. All have got something in ‘em.”

Influenced by this representation, the bootblack drew out a five-cent piece, and said:

“Pitch one over then. I guess I can stand it.” An envelope was at once handed him.

“Open it, Johnny,” said a newsboy at his side. Twenty curious eyes were fixed upon him as he opened the package. He drew out rather a scanty supply of candy, and then turning to Paul, with a look of indignation, said:

“Where’s the prize? I don’t see no prize. Give me back my five cents.”

“Give it to me. I’ll show you,” said the young merchant.

He thrust in his finger, and drew out a square bit of paper, on which was written—One Cent.

“There’s your prize,” he added, drawing a penny from his pocket.

“It ain’t much of a prize,” said the buyer. “Where’s your ten cents?”

“I didn’t say I put ten cents into every package,” answered Paul.

“I’d burst up pretty quick if I did that. Who’ll have another package? Only five cents!”

Curiosity and taste for speculation are as prevalent among children as with men, so this appeal produced its effect.

“Give me a package,” said Teddy O’Brien, a newsboy, stretching out a dirty hand, containing the stipulated sum. He also was watched curiously as he opened the package. He drew out a paper bearing the words—Two Cents.

“Bully for you, Teddy! You’ve had better luck than I,” said the bootblack.

The check was duly honored, and Teddy seemed satisfied, though the amount of candy he received probably could not have cost over half-a-cent. Still, he had drawn twice as large a prize as the first buyer, and that was satisfactory.

“Who’ll take the next?” asked Paul, in a businesslike manner. “Maybe there’s ten cents in this package. That’s where you double your money. Walk up, gentlemen. Only five cents!”

Three more responded to this invitation, one drawing a prize of two cents, the other two of one cent each. Just then, as it seemed doubtful whether any more would be purchased by those present, a young man, employed in a Wall street house, came out of the post office.

“What have you got here?” he asked, pausing.

“Prize packages of candy! Money prize in every package! Only five cents!”

“Give me one, then. I never drew a prize in my life.”

The exchange was speedily made.

“I don’t see any prize,” he said, opening it.

“It’s on a bit of paper, mister,” said Teddy, nearly as much interested as if it had been his own purchase.

“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. These last, as well as some of the former class, declined to accept the prizes, so that these were so much gain to Paul.

At length but one package remained, and this Paul was some time getting rid of. At last a gentleman came up, holding a little boy of seven by the hand.

“Oh, buy me the package, papa?” he said, drawing his father’s attention.

“What is there in it, boy?” asked the gentleman.

“Candy,” was the answer.

Alfred, for this was the little boy’s name, renewed his entreaties, having, like most boys, a taste for candy.

“There it is, Alfred,” said his father, handing the package to his little son.

“There’s a prize inside,” said Paul, seeing that they were about to pass.