Paul the Peddler; or the Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant. Chapter 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
CHAPTER XIV
THE DIAMOND RING
PAUL was up betimes the next morning. He had made up his mind for a few days, at least, to sell newspapers, and it was necessary in this business to begin the day early. He tool a dollar with him and invested a part of it in a stock of dailies. He posted himself in Printing House square, and began to look out for customers. Being an enterprising boy, he was sure to meet with fair success in any business which he undertook. So it happened that at ten o’clock he had sold out his stock of papers, and realized a profit of fifty cents.
It was getting late for morning papers, and there was nothing left to do till the issue of the first edition of the afternoon papers.
“I’ll go down and see how George Barry is getting along,” thought Paul.
He crossed Broadway and soon reached the familiar stand.
“How’s business, George?” he inquired.
“Fair,” said Barry. “I’ve sold four ties.”
“How do you feel?”
“I’m not so strong as I was, yet. I get tired more easily. I don’t think I shall stay in this business long.”
“You don’t? What will you do then?”
“I’ve got a chance in Philadelphia, or I shall have by the first of the month.”
“What sort of a chance?”
“Mother got a letter yesterday from a cousin of hers who has a store on Chestnut street. He offers to take me as a clerk, and give me ten dollars a week at first, and more after a while.”
“That’s a good offer. I should like to get one like it.”
“I’ll tell you what, Paul, you’d better buy out my stand. You know how to sell ties, and can make money.”
“There’s only one objection, George.”
“What’s that?”
“I haven’t got any capital.”
“It don’t need much.”
“How much?”
“I’ll sell out all my stock at cost price.”
“How much do you think there is?”
“About twenty-five dollars’ worth. Then there is the frame, which is worth, say ten dollars, making thirty-five in all. That isn’t much.”
“It’s more than I’ve got. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll take it, and pay you five dollars down and the rest in one month.”
“I would take your offer, Paul, but I need all the money how. It will be expensive moving to Philadelphia and I shall want all I can get.”
“I wish I could buy you out,” said Paul, thoughtfully.
“Can’t you borrow the money?”
“How soon do you want to give up?”
“It’s the seventeenth now. I should like to get rid of it by the twenty-second.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Just keep it for me till to- morrow.”
“All right.”
Paul walked home revolving in his mind this unexpected opportunity. He had made, as George Barry’s agent, a dollar a day, though he received only half the profits. If he were himself the proprietor, and did equally well, he could make twelve dollars a week. The calculation almost took away his breath. Twelve dollars a week would make about fifty dollars a month. It would enable him to contribute more to the support of the family, and save up money besides. But the great problem was, how to raise the necessary money. If Paul had been a railroad corporation, he might have issued first mortgage bonds at a high rate of interest, payable in gold, and negotiated them through some leading banker. But he was not much versed in financial schemes, and therefore was at a loss. The only wealthy friend he had was Mr. Preston, and he did not like to apply to him till he had exhausted other ways and means.
“What makes you so sober, Paul?” asked his mother, as he entered the room. “You are home early.”
“Yes, I sold all my papers, and thought I would take an early dinner, so as to be on hand in time for the first afternoon papers.”
“Don’t you feel well?”
“Tiptop; but I’ve had a good offer, and I’m thinking whether I can accept it.”