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

“I haven’t got anything to do just now,” said Paul. “I was in the prize-package business, but two fellows stole my stock in trade, and I’m not going into it again. It’s about played out. I’m your man. Just make me an offer.”

“I should like to have you take my place for a day or two, for I know you wouldn’t cheat me.”

“You may be sure of that.”

“I am sure. I know you are an honest boy, Paul. But I don’t know what to offer you.”

“How many neckties do you sell a day?” asked Paul, in a businesslike tone.

“About a dozen on an average.”

“And how much profit do you make?”

“It’s half profit.”

Paul made a short calculation. Twelve neckties at twenty-five cents each would bring three dollars. Half of this was a dollar and a half.

“I’ll take your place for half profits,” he said.

“That’s fair,” said George Barry. “I’ll accept your offer. Can you begin now?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll go home and go to bed. It’s the best place for me.”

“You’d better. I’ll come round after closing up, and hand over the money.”

“All right! You know where I live?”

“I’m not sure.”

“No. – Bleecker street.”

“I’ll come up this evening.”

George Barry walked away, leaving Paul in charge of his business.

He did so with perfect confidence. Not every boy in Paul’s circumstances can be trusted, but he felt sure that Paul would do the right thing by him.

I may as well say, in this connection, that George Barry had a mother living. They occupied two rooms in a lodging-house in Bleecker street, and lived very comfortably. Mrs. Barry had an allowance of two hundred dollars a year from a relation. This, with what she earned by sewing, and her son by his stand, supported them very comfortably, especially as they provided and cooked their own food, which was, of course, much cheaper than boarding. Still, the loss of the young man’s earnings, even for a short time, would have been felt, though they had a reserve of a hundred dollars in a savings bank, from which they might draw if necessary. But George did not like to do this. The arrangement which he made with Paul was a satisfactory one, for with half his usual earnings they would still be able to keep out of debt, and not be compelled to draw upon the fund in the bank. Of course, something depended on Paul’s success as a salesman, but he would not be likely to fall much below the average amount of sales. So, on the whole, George Barry went home considerably relieved in mind, though his head was throbbing, and he felt decidedly sick.