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cents. He had made more than double as much the day before in less time; but then he did not suffer from competition.

He began to doubt whether he could long pursue this business, since other competitors were likely to spring up.

As he walked by the post office he had the curiosity to look and see how his competitor was getting along.

Teddy had started, originally, with seventy-five packages; but of those scarcely a dozen were left. A group of boys were around him. Among them was Mike, who was just on the point of buying another package. As before, he put it in his pocket, and it was not till Teddy asked, β€œWhat luck, Mike?” that he drew it out, and opening it again, produced fifty cents.

β€œIt's the big prize!” he said. β€œSure I'm in luck, anyhow.”

β€œYou're the boy that's lucky,” said Teddy, with a grin.

As Paul witnessed the scene a light broke upon him. Now he understood how Teddy could afford to give such large prizes. Mike and the other boy, Jim, were only confederates of hisβ€”decoy ducksβ€”who kept drawing over again the same prize, which was eventually given back to Teddy. It was plain now why Mike put the package into his pocket before opening it. It was to exchange it for another packet into which the money had previously been placed, but which was supposed by the lookers-on to be the same that had just been purchased. The prize could afterward be placed in a new packet and used over again.

β€œThat ain't the same package,” said Paul, announcing his discovery. β€œHe had it all the while in his pocket.”

β€œLook here,” blustered Mike, β€œyou jest mind your own business! That's the best thing for you.”

β€œSuppose I don't?”

β€œIf you don't there may be a funeral to-morrow of a boy about your size.”

There was a laugh at Paul's expense, but he took it coolly.

β€œI'll send you a particular invitation to attend, if I can get anybody to go over to the island.”

As Mike had been a resident at Blackwell's Island on two different occasions, this produced a laugh at his expense, in the midst of which Paul walked off.





CHAPTER IV TEDDY GIVES UP BUSINESS

β€œHave you sold all your packages, Paul?” asked Jimmy, as our hero entered the humble room, where the table was already spread with a simple dinner.

β€œNo,” said Paul, β€œI only sold twenty. I begin to think that the prize-package business will soon be played out.”

β€œWhy?”

β€œThere's too many that'll go into it.”

Here Paul related his experience of the morning, explaining how it was that Teddy had managed to distance him in the competition.

β€œCan't you do the same, Paul?” asked Jimmy. β€œMother's got a gold dollar she could lend you.”

β€œThat might do,” said Paul; β€œbut I don't know any boy I could trust to draw it except you, and some of them would know we were brothers.”

β€œI think, Paul, that would be dishonest,” said Mrs. Hoffman. β€œI would rather make less, if I were you, and do it honestly.”

β€œMaybe you're right, mother. I'll try it again this afternoon, keeping as far away from Teddy as I can. If I find I can't make it go, I'll try some other business.”

β€œJimmy, have you shown Paul your drawing?” said his mother.

β€œHere it is, Paul,” said Jimmy, producing his drawing-book, from which he had copied a simple design of a rustic cottage.

β€œWhy, that's capital, Jimmy,” said Paul, in real surprise. β€œI had no idea you would succeed so well.”

β€œDo you really think so, Paul?” asked the little boy, much pleased.

β€œI really do. How long did it take you?”

β€œOnly a short timeβ€”not more than half an hour, I should think,” said Mrs. Hoffman. β€œI think Jimmy succeeded very well.”

β€œYou'll make a great artist some time, Jimmy,” said Paul.

β€œI wish I could,” said the little boy. β€œI should like to earn some money, so that you and mother need not work so hard.”

β€œHard work agrees with me. I'm tough,” said Paul. β€œBut when we get to be men, Jimmy, we'll make so much money that mother needn't work at all. She shall sit in the parlor all day, dressed in silk, with nothing to do.”

β€œI don't think I would enjoy that,” said Mrs. Hoffman, smiling.

β€œWill you be in the candy business, then, Paul?” said Jimmy.

β€œNo, Jimmy. It would never do for the brother of a great artist to be selling candy round the streets. I hope I shall have something better to do than that.”

β€œSit down to dinner, Paul,” said his mother. β€œIt's all ready.”

The dinner was not a luxurious one. There was a small plate of cold meat, some potatoes, and bread and butter; but Mrs. Hoffman felt glad to be able to provide even that, and Paul, who had the hearty appetite of a growing boy, did full justice to the fare. They had scarcely finished, when a knock was heard at the door. Paul, answering the summons, admitted a stout, pleasant-looking Irishwoman.

β€œThe top of the mornin' to ye, Mrs. Donovan,” said Paul, bowing ceremoniously.

β€œAh, ye'll be afther havin' your joke, Paul,” said Mrs. Donovan, good-naturedly. β€œAnd how is your health, mum, the day?”

β€œI am well, thank you, Mrs. Donovan,” said Mrs. Hoffman. β€œSit down to the table, won't you? We're just through dinner, but there's something left.”

β€œThank you, mum, I've jist taken dinner. I was goin' to wash this afternoon, and I thought maybe you'd have some little pieces I could wash jist as well as not.”

β€œThank you, Mrs. Donovan, you are very kind; but you must have enough work of your own to do.”

β€œI'm stout and strong, mum, and hard work agrees with me; but you're a rale lady, and ain't used to it. It's only a thrifle, but if you want to pay me, you could do a bit of sewin' for me. I ain't very good with the needle. My fingers is too coarse, belike.”

β€œThank you, Mrs. Donovan; on those terms I will agree to your kind offer. Washing is a little hard for me.”

Mrs. Hoffman collected a few pieces, and, wrapping them up in a handkerchief, handed them to her guest.

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