ing 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 pack
|