Part 3 (1/2)

”I'll tell you what I'll do,” said Paul, ”I'll exchange.”

”No,” said Teddy; ”I ain't a-goin' to risk givin' fifty cents for one.”

”More likely you'd get ten for one. You're a humbug.”

”Have you really got any fifty-cent prizes?” asked a newsboy, who had sold out his morning stock of papers, and was lounging about the post office steps.

”Best way is to buy, Johnny,” said Teddy.

The boy did buy, but his prize amounted to only one cent.

”Didn't I tell you so?” said Paul.

”Just wait a while and see,” said Teddy. ”The lucky feller hasn't come along. Here, Mike, jest buy a package!”

Mike, a boy of fifteen, produced five cents, and said, ”I don't mind if I do.”

He selected a package, and, without opening it, slipped it into his pocket.

”Why don't you open it?” said Teddy.

”What's the use?” said Mike. ”There ain't no fifty cents inside.”

However, he drew it out of his pocket, and opened it.

”What's this?” he exclaimed, pulling out a piece of scrip. ”Howly St.

Patrick! it's I that's in luck, anyhow I've got the fifty cents!”

And he held up to view a fifty-cent scrip.

”Let me look at it,” said Paul, incredulously.

But there was no room for doubt. It was a genuine fifty cents, as Paul was compelled to admit.

”Didn't I tell you so?” said Teddy, triumphantly. ”Here's where you get fifty-cent prizes.”

The appeal was successful. The sight of the fifty-cent prize led to a large call for packages, of which Teddy immediately sold ten, while Paul found himself completely deserted. None of the ten, however, contained over two cents. Still the possibility of drawing fifty cents kept up the courage of buyers, while Paul's inducements were so far inferior that he found himself wholly distanced.

”Don't you wish you'd gone pardners with me?” asked Teddy, with a triumphant grin, noticing Paul's look of discomfiture. ”You can't do business alongside of me.”

”You can't make any money giving such big prizes,” said Paul. ”You haven't taken in as much as you've given yet.”

”All right,” said Teddy. ”I'm satisfied if you are. Have a package, Jim?”

”Yes,” said Jim. ”Mind you give me a good prize.”

The package was bought, and, on being opened, proved to contain fifty cents also, to Paul's great amazement. How Teddy's business could pay, as it was managed, he could not comprehend. One thing was certain, however, his new compet.i.tor monopolized the trade, and for two hours Paul did not get a solitary customer.

”There's something about this I don't understand,” he pondered, thoughtfully. ”He must lose money; but he's spoiled my trade.”

Paul did not like to give up his beat, but he found himself compelled to. Accordingly he took his basket, and moved off toward Wall street.