章节正文
PAUL THE PEDDLER
OR THE FORTUNES OF A YOUNG STREET MERCHANT
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.
BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
Horatio Alger, Jr., an author who lived among and for boys and
himself remained a boy in heart and association till death, was
born at Revere, Mass., January 13, 1834. He was the son of a
clergyman, was graduated at Harvard College in 1852, and at its
Divinity School in 1860 and was pastor of the Unitarian Church at
Brewster, Mass., in 1862-66.
In the latter year he settled in New York and began drawing
public attention to the condition and needs of street boys. He
mingled with them, gained their confidence showed a personal
concern in their affairs, and stimulated them to honest and
useful living. With his first story he won the hearts of all
red-blooded boys everywhere, and of the seventy or more that
followed over a million copies were sold during the author's
lifetime.
In his later life he was in appearance a short, stout,
bald-headed man, with cordial manners and whimsical views of
things that amused all who met him. He died at Natick, Mass.,
July 18, 1899.
Mr. Alger's stories are as popular now as when first published,
because they treat of real live boys who were always up and
about-just like the boys found everywhere to-day. They are pure
in tone and inspiring in influence, and many reforms in the
juvenile life of New York may be traced to them. Among the best
known are:
Strong and Steady; Strive and Succeed; Try and Trust; Bound to
Rise; Risen from the Ranks; Herbert Carter's Legacy; Brave and
Bold; Jack's Ward; Shifting for Himself; Wait and Hope; Paul the
Peddler; Phil the Fiddler; Slow and Sure; Julius the Street Boy;
Tom the Bootblack; Struggling Upward, Facing the World; The Cash
Boy; Making His Way; Tony the Tramp; Joe's Luck; Do and Dare;
Only an Irish Boy; Sink or Swim; A Cousin's Conspiracy; Andy
Gordon; Bob Burton; Harry Vane; Hector's Inheritance; Mark
Mason's Triumph; Sam's Chance; The Telegraph Boy; The Young
Adventurer; The Young Outlaw; The Young Salesman, and Luke Walton.
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 attractiveannouncement, 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, composedchiefly 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.
"Give me a package," said Teddy O'Brien, a newsboy, stretching
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 packages! Only five cents apiece!"--and
made a purchase; most from curiosity, but some few attracted by
the businesslikebearing of the young merchant, and willing to
encourage him in his efforts to make a living. These last, as
well as some of the former class, declined to accept the prizes,
so that these were so much gain to Paul.
At length but one package remained, and this Paul was some time
getting rid of. At last a gentleman came up, holding a little
boy of seven by the hand.
"Oh, buy me the package, papa?" he said, drawing his father's
attention.
"What is there in it, boy?" asked the gentleman.
"Candy," was the answer.
Alfred, for this was the little boy's name, renewed his
entreaties, having, like most boys, a taste for candy.
"There it is, Alfred," said his father, handing the package to
his little son.
"There's a prize inside," said Paul, seeing that they were about
to pass.
"We must look for the prize by all means," said the gentleman.
"What is this? One cent?"
"Yes sir"; and Paul held out a cent to his customer.
"Never mind about that! You may keep the prize."
"I want it, pa," interposed Alfred, with his mouth full of candy.
"I'll give you another," said his father, still declining to
accept the proffered prize.
Paul now found himself in the enviable position of one who, at
eleven o'clock, had succeeded in disposing of his entire stock in
trade, and that at an excellent profit, as we soon shall see.
Business had been more brisk with him than with many merchants on
a larger scale, who sometimes keep open their shops all day
without taking in enough to pay expenses. But, then, it is to be
considered that in Paul's case expenses were not a formidable
item. He had no rent to pay, for one thing, nor clerk hire,
being competent to attend to his entire business single-handed.
All his expense, in fact, was the first cost of his stock in
trade, and he had so fixed his prices as to insure a good profit
on that. So, on the whole, Paul felt very well satisfied at the
result of his experiment, for this was his first day in the
prize-package business.
"I guess I'll go home," he said to himself. "Mother'll want to
know how I made out." He turned up Nassau street, and had
reached the corner of Maiden lane, when Teddy O'Brien met him.
"Did you sell out, Johnny?" he asked.
"Yes," answered Paul.
"How many packages did you have?"
"Fifty."
"That's bully. How much you made?"
"I can't tell yet. I haven't counted up," said Paul.
"It's better'n sellin' papers, I'll bet. I've only made thirty
cents the day. Don't you want to take a partner, Johnny?"
"No, I don't think I do," said Paul, who had good reason to doubt
whether such a step would be to his advantage.
"Then I'll go in for myself," said Teddy, somewhat displeased at
the refusal.
"Go ahead! There's nobody to stop you," said Paul.
"I'd rather go in with you," said Teddy, feeling that there would
be some trouble in making the prize packages, but influenced
still more by the knowledge that he had not capital enough to
start in the business alone.
"No," said Paul, positively; "I don't want any partner. I can do
well enough alone."
He was not surprised at Teddy's application. Street boys are as
enterprising, and have as sharp eyes for business as their
elders, and no one among them can monopolize a profitable
business long. This is especially the case with the young street
merchant. When one has had the good luck to find some attractive
article which promises to sell briskly, he takes every care to
hide the source of his supply from his rivals in trade. But this
is almost impossible. Cases are frequent where such boys are
subjected to the closest espionage, their steps being dogged for
hours by boys who think they have found a good thing and are
determined to share it. In the present case Paul had hit upon an
OR THE FORTUNES OF A YOUNG STREET MERCHANT
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.
BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
Horatio Alger, Jr., an author who lived among and for boys and
himself remained a boy in heart and association till death, was
born at Revere, Mass., January 13, 1834. He was the son of a
clergyman, was graduated at Harvard College in 1852, and at its
Divinity School in 1860 and was pastor of the Unitarian Church at
Brewster, Mass., in 1862-66.
In the latter year he settled in New York and began drawing
public attention to the condition and needs of street boys. He
mingled with them, gained their confidence showed a personal
concern in their affairs, and stimulated them to honest and
useful living. With his first story he won the hearts of all
red-blooded boys everywhere, and of the seventy or more that
followed over a million copies were sold during the author's
lifetime.
In his later life he was in appearance a short, stout,
bald-headed man, with cordial manners and whimsical views of
things that amused all who met him. He died at Natick, Mass.,
July 18, 1899.
Mr. Alger's stories are as popular now as when first published,
because they treat of real live boys who were always up and
about-just like the boys found everywhere to-day. They are pure
in tone and inspiring in influence, and many reforms in the
juvenile life of New York may be traced to them. Among the best
known are:
Strong and Steady; Strive and Succeed; Try and Trust; Bound to
Rise; Risen from the Ranks; Herbert Carter's Legacy; Brave and
Bold; Jack's Ward; Shifting for Himself; Wait and Hope; Paul the
Peddler; Phil the Fiddler; Slow and Sure; Julius the Street Boy;
Tom the Bootblack; Struggling Upward, Facing the World; The Cash
Boy; Making His Way; Tony the Tramp; Joe's Luck; Do and Dare;
Only an Irish Boy; Sink or Swim; A Cousin's Conspiracy; Andy
Gordon; Bob Burton; Harry Vane; Hector's Inheritance; Mark
Mason's Triumph; Sam's Chance; The Telegraph Boy; The Young
Adventurer; The Young Outlaw; The Young Salesman, and Luke Walton.
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 attractiveannouncement, 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, composedchiefly 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.
"Give me a package," said Teddy O'Brien, a newsboy, stretching
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 packages! Only five cents apiece!"--and
made a purchase; most from curiosity, but some few attracted by
the businesslikebearing of the young merchant, and willing to
encourage him in his efforts to make a living. These last, as
well as some of the former class, declined to accept the prizes,
so that these were so much gain to Paul.
At length but one package remained, and this Paul was some time
getting rid of. At last a gentleman came up, holding a little
boy of seven by the hand.
"Oh, buy me the package, papa?" he said, drawing his father's
attention.
"What is there in it, boy?" asked the gentleman.
"Candy," was the answer.
Alfred, for this was the little boy's name, renewed his
entreaties, having, like most boys, a taste for candy.
"There it is, Alfred," said his father, handing the package to
his little son.
"There's a prize inside," said Paul, seeing that they were about
to pass.
"We must look for the prize by all means," said the gentleman.
"What is this? One cent?"
"Yes sir"; and Paul held out a cent to his customer.
"Never mind about that! You may keep the prize."
"I want it, pa," interposed Alfred, with his mouth full of candy.
"I'll give you another," said his father, still declining to
accept the proffered prize.
Paul now found himself in the enviable position of one who, at
eleven o'clock, had succeeded in disposing of his entire stock in
trade, and that at an excellent profit, as we soon shall see.
Business had been more brisk with him than with many merchants on
a larger scale, who sometimes keep open their shops all day
without taking in enough to pay expenses. But, then, it is to be
considered that in Paul's case expenses were not a formidable
item. He had no rent to pay, for one thing, nor clerk hire,
being competent to attend to his entire business single-handed.
All his expense, in fact, was the first cost of his stock in
trade, and he had so fixed his prices as to insure a good profit
on that. So, on the whole, Paul felt very well satisfied at the
result of his experiment, for this was his first day in the
prize-package business.
"I guess I'll go home," he said to himself. "Mother'll want to
know how I made out." He turned up Nassau street, and had
reached the corner of Maiden lane, when Teddy O'Brien met him.
"Did you sell out, Johnny?" he asked.
"Yes," answered Paul.
"How many packages did you have?"
"Fifty."
"That's bully. How much you made?"
"I can't tell yet. I haven't counted up," said Paul.
"It's better'n sellin' papers, I'll bet. I've only made thirty
cents the day. Don't you want to take a partner, Johnny?"
"No, I don't think I do," said Paul, who had good reason to doubt
whether such a step would be to his advantage.
"Then I'll go in for myself," said Teddy, somewhat displeased at
the refusal.
"Go ahead! There's nobody to stop you," said Paul.
"I'd rather go in with you," said Teddy, feeling that there would
be some trouble in making the prize packages, but influenced
still more by the knowledge that he had not capital enough to
start in the business alone.
"No," said Paul, positively; "I don't want any partner. I can do
well enough alone."
He was not surprised at Teddy's application. Street boys are as
enterprising, and have as sharp eyes for business as their
elders, and no one among them can monopolize a profitable
business long. This is especially the case with the young street
merchant. When one has had the good luck to find some attractive
article which promises to sell briskly, he takes every care to
hide the source of his supply from his rivals in trade. But this
is almost impossible. Cases are frequent where such boys are
subjected to the closest espionage, their steps being dogged for
hours by boys who think they have found a good thing and are
determined to share it. In the present case Paul had hit upon an
- upward [´ʌpwəd]
a.&ad.向上(的)；以上 (初中英语单词) - triumph [´traiəmf] n.胜利 vi.得胜，战胜 (初中英语单词)
- telegraph [´teligrɑ:f] n.&v.(打)电报；电告 (初中英语单词)
- speaker [´spi:kə] n.演讲人；代言人 (初中英语单词)
- attractive [ə´træktiv] a.有吸引力；诱人的 (初中英语单词)
- chiefly [´tʃi:fli] ad.主要地；尤其 (初中英语单词)
- envelope [´envələup] n.信封，封皮 (初中英语单词)
- package [´pækidʒ] n.包(裹) vt.组装 (初中英语单词)
- thrust [θrʌst] v.&n.猛推；冲；刺；挤进 (初中英语单词)
- curiously [´kjuəriəsli] ad.好奇地；稀奇古怪地 (初中英语单词)
- amount [ə´maunt] n.总数；数量 v.合计 (初中英语单词)
- invitation [,invi´teiʃən] n.邀请；请帖；吸引 (初中英语单词)
- opening [´əupəniŋ] n.开放；开端 a.开始的 (初中英语单词)
- fortunate [´fɔ:tʃənət] a.幸运的，侥幸的 (初中英语单词)
- favorable [´feivərəbəl] a.赞成的；顺利的 (初中英语单词)
- eagerly [´i:gəli] ad.渴望地，急切地 (初中英语单词)
- curiosity [,kjuəri´ɔsiti] n.好奇；奇事；珍品 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- maiden [´meidn] n.少女 a.未婚的 (初中英语单词)
- partner [´pɑ:tnə] n.伙伴 v.同....合作 (初中英语单词)
- application [,æpli´keiʃən] n.申请；申请书；应用 (初中英语单词)
- frequent [´fri:kwənt] a.常见的，频繁的 (初中英语单词)
- harvard [´hɑ:vəd] n.哈佛大学 (高中英语单词)
- pastor [´pɑ:stə] n.牧师 (高中英语单词)
- cordial [´kɔ:diəl] a.热忱的；亲切的 (高中英语单词)
- strive [straiv] vi.争取；努力；奋斗 (高中英语单词)
- conspiracy [kən´spirəsi] n.密谋；协同作用 (高中英语单词)
- inheritance [in´heritəns] n.继承(物)；遗传；遗产 (高中英语单词)
- salesman [´seilzmən] n.店员；推销员 (高中英语单词)
- announcement [ə´naunsmənt] n.通告；宣布；言谈 (高中英语单词)
- hereafter [hiər´ɑ:ftə] ad.&n.将来；来世 (高中英语单词)
- representation [,reprizen´teiʃən] n.描写；表现(法) (高中英语单词)
- scanty [´skænti] a.贫乏的；节省的 (高中英语单词)
- indignation [,indig´neiʃən] n.愤慨；气愤 (高中英语单词)
- speculation [,spekju´leiʃən] n.思索，推测；投机 (高中英语单词)
- appeal [ə´pi:l] vi.&n.请求；呼吁；上诉 (高中英语单词)
- doubtful [´dautful] a.怀疑的，可疑的 (高中英语单词)
- maximum [´mæksiməm] n.极点 a.最大的 (高中英语单词)
- destination [,desti´neiʃən] n.目标地 (高中英语单词)
- bearing [´beəriŋ] n.举止；忍耐；关系 (高中英语单词)
- seeing [si:iŋ] see的现在分词 n.视觉 (高中英语单词)
- competent [´kɔmpitənt] a.能干的，有资格的 (高中英语单词)
- insure [in´ʃuə] vt.给...保险 (高中英语单词)
- positively [´pɔzətivli] ad.确实；断然；绝对 (高中英语单词)
- burton [´bə:tn] n.复滑车 (英语四级单词)
- outlaw [´autlɔ:] n.歹徒 vt.将...放逐 (英语四级单词)
- miscellaneous [,misə´leiniəs] a.混杂的；兴趣杂的 (英语四级单词)
- composed [kəm´pəuzd] a.镇静自若的 (英语四级单词)
- drawing [´drɔ:iŋ] n.画图；制图；图样 (英语四级单词)
- prevalent [´prevələnt] a.流行的；普遍的 (英语四级单词)
- speedily [´spi:dili] ad.迅速地 (英语四级单词)
- briskly [´briskli] ad.轻快地；活泼地 (英语四级单词)
- revere [ri´viə] vt.尊敬；敬畏 (英语六级单词)
- legacy [´legəsi] n.遗产；传代物 (英语六级单词)
- businesslike [´biznislaik] a.有系统的，有条理的 (英语六级单词)
- holding [´həuldiŋ] n.保持，固定，存储 (英语六级单词)
- taking [´teikiŋ] a.迷人的 n.捕获物 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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