Part 10 (1/2)

”You'll see him to-night, mother. He's coming round this evening to let me know how he's got along, and hand over the money he's taken.”

”You'd better be quiet now, George, and go to sleep, if you can. I'll make you some warm tea. I think it'll do you good.”

Meanwhile Paul a.s.sumed charge of George Barry's business. He was sorry his friend was sick, but he congratulated himself on getting into business so soon.

”It's more respectable than selling prize packages,” thought Paul. ”I wish I had a stand of my own.”

He was still a street merchant, but among street merchants there are grades as well as among merchants whose claim to higher respectability rests upon having rent to pay. Paul felt that it was almost like having a shop of his own. He had always looked up to George Barry as standing higher than himself in a business way, and he felt that even if his earnings should not be as great, that it was a step upward to have sole charge of his stand, if only for a day or two.

Paul's ambition was aroused. It was for his interest to make as large sales as possible. Besides, he thought he would like to prove to George Barry that he had made a good selection in appointing him his subst.i.tute.

Now, if the truth must be told, George Barry himself was not possessed of superior business ability. He was lacking in energy and push. He could sell neckties to those who asked for them, but had no particular talent for attracting trade. He would have been a fair clerk, but was never likely to rise above a very moderate success. Paul was quite different. He was quick, enterprising, and smart. He was a boy likely to push his way to success unless circ.u.mstances were very much against him.

”I'd like to sell more than George Barry,” he said to himself. ”I don't know if I can, but I'm going to try.”

The day was half over, and probably the most profitable, so far as business was concerned. Paul had only four or five hours left.

”Let me see,” he said to himself. ”I ought to sell six neckties to come up to the average of half a day's sale. I wonder whether I can do it.”

As his soliloquy ended, his quick eye detected a young man glancing at his stock, and he observed that he paused irresolutely, as if half inclined to purchase.

”Can't I sell you a necktie to-day?” asked Paul, promptly.

”I don't know,” said the other. ”What do you charge?”

”You can have your choice for twenty-five cents. That is cheap, isn't it?”

”Yes, that's cheap. Let me look at them.”

”Here's one that will suit your complexion,” said Paul.

”Yes, that's a pretty one. I think I'll take it.”

”You have to pay twice as much in the shops,” continued Paul, as he rolled it up. ”You see, we have no rent to pay, and so we can sell cheap. You'll save money by always buying your neckties here.”

”The only objection to that is that I don't live in the city. I am here only for a day. I live about fifty miles in the country.”

”Then I'll tell you what you'd better do,” said Paul. ”Lay in half a dozen, while you are about it. It'll only be a dollar and a half, and you'll save as much as that by doing it.”

”I don't know but you are right,” said his customer, whom the suggestion impressed favorably. ”As you say, it's only a dollar and a half, and it'll give me a good stock.”

”Let me pick them out for you,” said Paul, briskly, ”unless there's something you see yourself.”

”I like that one.”

”All right. What shall be the next?”

Finally, the young man selected the entire half-dozen, and deposited a dollar and a half in Paul's hands.

”Come and see me again,” said Paul, ”and if you have any friends coming to the city, send them to me.”