PAUL THE PEDDLER
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.
1023164417
PAUL THE PEDDLER
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.
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PAUL THE PEDDLER

PAUL THE PEDDLER

by Horatio Alger, Jr.
PAUL THE PEDDLER

PAUL THE PEDDLER

by Horatio Alger, Jr.

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Overview

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.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940013342682
Publisher: SAP
Publication date: 10/03/2011
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 113 KB
Age Range: 9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Date of Birth:

August 17, 1887

Date of Death:

June 10, 1940
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