作者：王勋,纪飞,（美）霍瑞修·爱尔杰
出版社：清华大学出版社
格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT
小贩保罗(中文导读英文版)试读：
前言
霍瑞修·爱尔杰（Horatio Alger，1832—1899），美国著名教育家、小说家。一生共创作了一百多部以“奋斗、成功”为主题的励志小说，其代表作有《菲尔是如何成功的》、《小贩保罗》、《衣衫破烂的迪克》、《赫可特的继承权》、《乔伊历险记》、《沃尔特的考验》、《格兰特的勇气》和《格兰特萨顿的愿望》等，这些小说已被译成多种文字，在世界上广为流传。
霍瑞修·爱尔杰于1832年1月13日出生在马萨诸塞州的一个牧师家庭，自小受到良好的教育，19岁毕业于哈佛大学。他做过家庭教师、记者，1868年开始从事文学创作。在其作品中，爱尔杰塑造了一系列出身卑微，但依靠自身的勇气、信念和努力，终于获得成功的少年形象。这些形象也是对“美国梦”的生动诠释，激励着一代又一代人。正因为如此，爱尔杰被数届美国总统赞誉为“美国精神之父”，人们将他与马克·吐温并列为“对今日美国影响最深的两位作家”。
在中国，爱尔杰的作品也广受读者的欢迎。目前，国内已出版的爱尔杰作品的形式主要有两种：一种是中文翻译版，另一种是中英文对照版。其中的中英文对照读本比较受读者的欢迎，这主要是得益于中国人热衷于学习英文的大环境。从英文学习的角度来看，直接使用纯英文的学习资料更有利于英语学习。考虑到对英文内容背景的了解有助于英文阅读，使用中文导读应该是一种比较好的方式，也可以说是该类型书的第三种版本形式。采用中文导读而非中英文对照的方式进行编排，这样有利于国内读者摆脱对英文阅读依赖中文注释的习惯。基于以上原因，我们决定编译爱尔杰作品中的经典，其中包括《菲尔是如何成功的》、《小贩保罗》、《衣衫破烂的迪克》、《乔伊历险记》、《格兰特的勇气》、《沃尔特的考验》、《赫可特的继承权》和《格兰特萨顿的愿望》，并采用中文导读英文版的形式出版。在中文导读中，我们尽力使其贴近原作的精髓，也尽可能保留原作的风格。我们希望能够编出为当代中国读者所喜爱的经典读本。读者在阅读英文故事之前，可以先阅读中文导读内容，这样有利于了解故事背景，从而加快阅读速度。我们相信，这些经典著作的引进对加强当代中国读者，特别是青少年读者的科学素养和人文修养是非常有帮助的。
本书主要内容由王勋、纪飞编译。参加本书故事素材搜集整理及编译工作的还有郑佳、刘乃亚、赵雪、左新杲、黄福成、冯洁、徐鑫、马启龙、王业伟、王旭敏、陈楠、王多多、邵舒丽、周丽萍、王晓旭、李永振、孟宪行、熊红华、胡国平、熊建国、徐平国、王小红等。限于我们的文学素养和英语水平，书中难免不当之处，衷心希望读者朋友批评指正。第一章 小贩保罗 Chapter 1 Paulthe Peddler导读
保罗今年14岁，目前主要以贩卖“幸运袋”为生。此刻他正站在邮局前叫卖着。“幸运袋”是保罗想出来的新花样，任何人花5美分购买一袋糖果，保证每袋都有奖品，最高达到10美分。这吸引了很多小孩围观，他们纷纷出手尝试自己的运气，不过正常抽出来的奖金最多只有2美分。恰好一个年轻人经过，他买了一袋糖果，抽中了10美分的奖金，保罗爽快地给了他10美分。这个大奖让围观的不少人看到了希望，他们都掏出钱购买幸运袋，但没有人能够获得大奖。第一批围观的人们渐渐散去，不过由于邮局前面人来人往，很快便聚集了一批新的客人。大部分人由于好奇而购买了一袋，每袋都有一两美分的奖金；他们几乎都没有领走，而是重新购买了糖果。保罗卖出去了很多，最后只剩下一袋。
一个男孩和他的爸爸一起走过，在儿子的央求下那位父亲买下了最后这袋糖果，获得了一美分的奖金；那位父亲怎么都不肯接受这份奖金，这样保罗的幸运袋全都卖光了。保罗赶着回家告诉母亲这个好消息，半路上遇到泰迪；泰迪想和他合伙做生意，但保罗不需要，他不知道泰迪其实已经盯上了他的生意。ere's your prize packages！Only five cents！Money prize inevery package！Walk up, gentlemen, and try your luck！”“H
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.
“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 theamount 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 businesslike bearing 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 anexcellent 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 oneamong 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 idea which seemed to promise well, and he was determined to keep it to himself as long as possible.As soon as he was subjected to competition and rivalry his gains would probably diminish.第二章 保罗为家操持 Chapter 2 Paulat Home导读
保罗一家住在一栋廉价出租的公寓里，他和弟弟住一间房，妈妈一个人一间房；房间布置得很讲究，除了一些必备的家具之外，还有不少书籍。保罗的父亲在世的时候是一个手艺精良的木匠，他们一家人生活很好；但一场意外的车祸夺走了父亲的生命，他们维持不了日常的生活开销，只能搬到了廉价社区里。他们攒的钱现在已经花光了，保罗只好走到大街上加入了街头小贩的行列。他刚开始卖火柴，后来发现竞争过于激烈，转而尝试其他生意。他赚的钱足够养活自己，但家里还有母亲和弟弟，他不得不继续想更赚钱的生意。一天他突然想到了“幸运袋”的点子，今天上午半天就赚了1美元30美分，下午他打算再去买些糖果和信封。
保罗的弟弟杰米回来了，他今年10岁，因身体虚弱，腿脚不灵便，家里的人都很疼爱他。弟弟帮忙做好了幸运袋，他自己目前正在学画画，梦想长大以后能当个艺术家。下午保罗出去做生意又赚了1美元，回家时给弟弟买了画画用品。
aul went up Centre street and turned into Pearl. Stopping before
atenement-house, he entered, and, going up two flights of stairs, P
opened a door and entered.
“You are home early, Paul，”said a woman of middle age, looking up at his entrance.
“Yes, mother；I've sold out.”
“You've not sold out the whole fifty packages？”she asked, in surprise.
“Yes, I have. I had capital luck.”
“Why, you must have made as much as a dollar, and it's not twelve yet.”
“I've made more than that, mother. Just wait a minute, till I've reckoned up a little.Where's Jimmy？”
“Miss Beckwith offered to take him out to walk with her, so I let him go. He'll be back at twelve.”
While Paul is making a calculation, a few words of explanation and description may be given, so that the reader may understand better how he is situated.
The rooms occupied by Paul and his mother were three in number. The largest one was about fourteen feet square, and was lighted by two windows.It was covered with a neat, though well-worn, carpet；a few cane-bottomed chairs were ranged at the windows, and on each side of the table.There was a French clock on the mantel, a rocking chair for his mother, and a few inexpensive engravings hung upon the walls.There was a hanging bookcase containing two shelves, filled with books, partly school books, supplemented by a few miscellaneous books, such as“Robinson Crusoe”，“Pilgrim's Progress”，a volume of“Poetical Selections，”an odd volume of Scott, and several others.Out of the main room opened two narrow chambers, both together of about the same area as the main room.One of these was occupied by Paul and Jimmy, the other by his mother.
Those who are familiar with the construction of a New York tenement-house will readily understand the appearance of the rooms into which we have introduced them. It must, however, be explained that few similar apartments are found so well furnished.Carpets are not very common in tenement-houses, and if there are any pictures, they are usually the cheapest prints.Wooden chairs, and generally every object of the cheapest, are to be met with in the dwellings of the New York poor.If we find something better in the present instance, it is not because Paul and his mother are any better off than their neighbors.On the contrary, there are few whose income is so small.But they have seen better days, and the furniture we see has been saved from thetime of their comparative prosperity.
As Paul is still at his estimate, let us improve the opportunity by giving a little of their early history.
Mr. Hoffman, the father of Paul, was born in Germany, but came to New York when a boy of twelve, and there he grew up and married, his wife being an American.He was a cabinetmaker, and, being a skillful workman, earned very good wages, so that he was able to maintain his family in comfort.They occupied a neat little cottage in Harlem, and lived very happily, for Mr.Hoffman was temperate and kind, when an unfortunate accident clouded their happiness, and brought an end to their prosperity.In crossing Broadway at its most crowded part, the husband and father was run over by a loaded dray, and so seriously injured that he lived but a few hours.Then the precarious nature of their prosperity was found out.Mr.Hoffman had not saved anything, having always lived up to the extent of his income.It was obviously impossible for them to continue to live in their old home, paying a rent of twenty dollars per month.Besides, Paul did not see any good opportunity to earn his living in Harlem.So, at his instigation, his mother moved downtown, and took rooms in a tenement-house in Pearl street, agreeing to pay six dollars a month for apartments which would now command double the price.
They brought with them furniture enough to furnish the three rooms, selling the rest for what it would bring, and thus obtaining a small reserve fund, which by this time was nearly exhausted.
Once fairly established in their new home, Paul went out into the streets to earn his living. The two most obvious, and, on the whole, most profitable trades, were blacking boots and selling newspapers.To the first, Paul, who was a neat boy, objected on the score that it would keep his hands and clothing dirty, and, street boy though he had become, he had a pride in his personal appearance.To selling papers he had not the same objection, but he had a natural taste for trade, and this led him to join the ranks of the street peddlers.He began with vending matches, but found so much competition in the business, and received so rough a reception oftentimes from those who had repeated calls from others in the same business, that he gave it up, and tried something else.But the same competition which crowds the professions andthe higher employments followed by men, prevails among the street trades which are pursued by boys.If Paul had only had himself to support, he could have made a fair living at match selling, or any other of the employments he took up；but his mother could not earn much at making vests, and Jimmy was lame, and could do nothing to fill the common purse, so that Paul felt that his earnings must be the main support of the family, and naturally sought out what would bring him in most money.
At length he had hit upon selling prize packages, and his first experience in that line are recorded in the previous chapter. Adding only that it was now a year since his father's death, we resume our narrative.
“Do you want to know how much I've made, mother？”asked Paul, looking up at length from his calculation.
“Yes, Paul.”
“A dollar and thirty cents.”
“I did not think it would amount to so much. The prizes came to considerable, didn't they？”
“Listen, and I will tell you how I stand：
One pound of candy 20
Two packs of envelopes 10
Prize 90
That makes$1. 20
I sold the fifty packages at five cents each, and that brought me in two dollars and a half. Taking out the expenses, it leaves me a dollar and thirty cents.Isn't that doing well for one morning's work？”
“It's excellent；but I thought your prizes amounted to more than ninety cents.”
“So they did, but several persons who bought wouldn't take their prizes, and that was so much gain.”
“You have done very well, Paul. I wish you might earn as much every day.”
“I'm going to earn some more this afternoon. I bought a pound of candy on the way home, and some cheap envelopes, and I'll be making up a new stock while I am waiting for dinner.”
Paul took out his candy and envelopes, and set about making up the packages.
“Did any complain of the small amount of candy you put in？”
“A few；but most bought for the sake of the prizes.”
“Perhaps you had better be a little more liberal with your candy, and then there may not be so much dissatisfaction where the prize is only a penny.”
“I don't know but your are right, mother. I believe I'll only make thirty packages with this pound, instead of fifty.Thirty'll be all I can sell this afternoon.”
Just then the door opened, and Paul's brother entered.
Jimmy Hoffman, or lame Jimmy, as he was often called, was a delicate-looking boy of ten, with a fair complexion and sweet face, but incurably lame, a defect which, added to his delicate constitution, was likely to interfere seriously with his success in life. But, as frequently happens, Jimmy was all the more endeared to his mother and brother by his misfortune and bodily weakness, and if either were obliged to suffer from poverty, Jimmy would be spared the suffering.
“Well, Jimmy, have you had a pleasant walk？”asked his mother.
“Yes, mother；I went down to Fulton Market. There's a good deal to see there.”
“A good deal more than in this dull room, Jimmy.”
“It doesn't seem dull to me, mother, while you are here. How did you make out selling your prize packages？”
“They are all sold, Jimmy, every one. I am making some more.”
“Shan't I help you？”
“Yes, I would like to have you. Just take those envelopes, and write prize packages on every one of them.”
“All right, Paul，”and Jimmy, glad to be of use, got the pen and ink, and, gathering up the envelopes, began to inscribe them as he had been instructed.
By the time the packages were made up, dinner was ready. It was not a very luxurious repast.There was a small piece of rump steak—not more than three-quarters of a pound—a few potatoes, a loaf of bread, and a small plate of butter.That was all；but then the cloth that covered the table was neat and clean, and the knives and forks were as bright as new, and what there was tasted good.
“What have you been doing this morning, Jimmy？”asked Paul.
“I have been drawing, Paul. Here's a picture of Friday.I copied it from‘Robinson Crusoe.'”
He showed the picture, which was wonderfully like that in the book, for this—the gift of drawing—was Jimmy's one talent, and he possessed it in no common degree.
“Excellent, Jimmy！”said Paul.“You're a real genius. I shouldn't be surprised if you'd make an artist some day.”
“I wish I might，”said Jimmy, earnestly.“There's nothing I'd like better.”
“I'll tell you what, Jimmy. If I do well this afternoon, I'll buy you adrawing-book and some paper, to work on while mother and I are busy.”
“If you can afford it, Paul, I should like it so much. Some time I might earn something that way.”
“Of course you may，”said Paul, cheerfully.“I won't forget you.”
Dinner over, Paul went out to business, and was again successful, getting rid of his thirty packages, and clearing another dollar.
Half of this he invested in a drawing-book, a pencil and some drawing-paper for Jimmy. Even then he had left of his earnings for the day one dollar and eighty cents.But this success in the new business had already excited envy and competition, as he was destined to find out on the morrow.第三章 保罗有了生意上的竞争者 Chapter 3 Paulhas Competitors导读
第二天保罗发现遇到了麻烦，刚开张的时候生意很好，但很快便无人问津了，无论保罗怎么劝说都无济于事。这时他发现泰迪正在离保罗不远的地方也拿着同样的幸运袋，他吆喝每袋糖果5美分，但有机会得到最高的奖金是50美分。刚卖完报纸的麦克走过来买了一袋，结果竟然真的中了50美分，这让保罗不得不承认现实。这个大奖的开启让泰迪的生意很快兴旺起来，很多人为了大奖宁愿尝试很多次。泰迪得意洋洋地看着保罗，嘲笑他昨天拒绝自己的要求。一个叫吉姆的男孩再次获得了50美分的大奖，保罗认为这样的生意绝对会赔本的。保罗没有继续争执下去，而是尽量走到别的地方做生意，很快幸运袋又卖出去不少，可刚抽中大奖的麦克突然走过来告诉人们邮局那边有50美分的大奖，他恶意破坏了保罗的生意。保罗只好不停地转换自己的生意地点，就这样到了中午他只赚了50美分。
保罗到了邮局门口，泰迪已经卖得剩下几个糖果袋了，保罗站在旁边看到麦克又在那里抽中了大奖，他明白了这一切都是泰迪做的把戏。he next morning Paul took his old place in front of the post office. He set down his basket in front, and, taking one of the packages in This hand, called out in a businesslike manner, as on the day before，“Here's your prize packages！Only five cents！Money prize in every package！Walk up, gentlemen, and try your luck！”
He met with a fair degree of success at first, managing in the course of an hour to sell ten packages. All the prizes drawn were small, with the exception of one ten-cent prize, which was drawn by a little bootblack, who exclaimed：
“That's the way to do business, Johnny. If you've got any more of them ten-cent prizes, I'll give you ten cents a piece for the lot.”
“Better buy some more and see，”said Paul.
“That don't go down，”said the other.“Maybe there'd be only a penny.”
Nevertheless, the effect of this large prize was to influence the sale of three other packages；but as neither of these contained more than two-cent prizes, trade began to grow dull, and for ten minutes all Paul's eloquent appeals to gentlemen to walk up and try their luck produced no effect.
At this point Paul found that there was a rival in the field.
Teddy O'Brien, who had applied for a partnership the day before, came up with a basket similar to his own, apparently filled with similar packages. He took a position about six feet distant from Paul, and began to cry out, in a shrill voice：
“Here's your bully prize packages！Best in the market！Here's where you get your big prizes, fifty cents in some of'em. Walk up boys, tumble up, and take your pick afore they're gone.Fifty cents for five！”
“That's a lie, Teddy，”said Paul, who saw that his rival's attractive announcement was likely to spoil his trade.
“No, it isn't，”said Teddy.“If you don't believe it, just buy one and see.”
“I'll tell you what I'll do，”said Paul，“I'll exchange.”
“No，”said Teddy；“I ain't a-goin'to risk givin'fifty cents for one.”
“More likely you'd get ten for one. You're a humbug.”
“Have you really got any fifty-cent prizes？”asked a newsboy, who had sold out his morning stock of papers, and was lounging about the post office steps.
“Best way is to buy, Johnny，”said Teddy.
The boy did buy, but his prize amounted to only one cent.
“Didn't I tell you so？”said Paul.
“Just wait a while and see，”said Teddy.“The lucky feller hasn't comealong. Here, Mike, jest buy a package！”
Mike, a boy of fifteen, produced five cents, and said，“I don't mind if I do.”
He selected a package, and, without opening it, slipped it into his pocket.
“Why don't you open it？”said Teddy.
“What's the use？”said Mike.“There ain't no fifty cents inside.”
However, he drew it out of his pocket, and opened it.
“What's this？”he exclaimed, pulling out a piece of scrip.
“Holy St. Patrick！it's I that's in luck, anyhow I've got the fifty cents！”
And he held up to view a fifty-cent scrip.
“Let me look at it，”said Paul, incredulously.
But there was no room for doubt. It was a genuine fifty cents, as Paul was compelled to admit.
“Didn't I tell you so？”said Teddy, triumphantly.“Here's where you get fifty-cent prizes.”
The appeal was successful. The sight of the fifty-cent prize led to a large call for packages, of which Teddy immediately sold ten, while Paul found himself completely deserted.None of the ten, however, contained over two cents.Still the possibility of drawing fifty cents kept up the courage of buyers, while Paul's inducements were so far inferior that he found himself wholly distanced.
“Don't you wish you'd gone partners with me？”asked Teddy, with a triumphant grin, noticing Paul's look of discomfiture.“You can't do business alongside of me.”
“You can't make any money giving such big prizes，”said Paul.
“You haven't taken in as much as you've given yet.”
“All right，”said Teddy.“I'm satisfied if you are. Have a package, Jim？”
“Yes，”said Jim.“Mind you give me a good prize.”
The package was bought, and, on being opened, proved to contain fifty cents also, to Paul's great amazement. How Teddy's business could pay, as it was managed, he could not comprehend.
One thing was certain, however, his new competitor monopolized the trade, and for two hours Paul did not get a solitary customer.
“There's something about this I don't understand，”he pondered, thoughtfully.“He must lose money；but he's spoiled my trade.”
Paul did not like to give up his beat, but he found himself compelled to. Accordingly he took his basket, and moved off toward Wall street.Here he was able to start in business without competitors, and succeeded in selling quite a number of packages, until a boy came up, and said：
“There's a feller up at the post office that's givin'fifty-cent prizes. I got one of'em.”
There was a group of half-a-dozen boys around Paul, two of whom were about to invest；but on hearing thus they changed their intention, and walked of in the direction of the post office.
Looking up, Paul saw that the boy who had injured his trade was Mike, who had drawn the first fifty-cent prize from his competitor.
“Can't you stop interfering？”he said, angrily.“I've lost two customers by you.”
“If you don't like it, you can lump it，”said Mike, insolently.
“This is a free country, ain't it？”
“It's a mean trick，”said Paul, indignantly.
“Say that ag'in, and I'll upset your basket，”returned Mike.
“I'll say it as often as I like，”said Paul, who wasn't troubled by cowardice.“Come on, if you want to.”
Mike advanced a step, doubling his fists；but, finding that Paul showed no particular sign of fear, he stopped short, saying：
“I'll lick you some other time.”
“You'd better put it off，”said Paul.“Have a prize package, sir？Only five cents！”
This was addressed to a young man who came out of an insurance office.
“I don't mind if I do，”said the young man.“Five cents, is it？What prize may I expect？”
“The highest is ten cents.”
“There's a boy around the post office that gives fifty-cent prizes, mister，”said Mike.“You'd better buy of him.”
“I'll wait till another time，”said the young man.“Here's the money, Johnny. Now for the package.”
“Look here，”said Paul, indignantly, when his customer had gone away；“haven't you anything to do except to drive off my customers？”
“Give me two cents on every package，”said Mike，“and I'll tell'em you give dollar prizes.”
“That would be a lie, and I don't want to do business that way.”
Mike continued his persecutions a while longer, and then turned the corner into Nassau street.
“I'm glad he's gone，”thought Paul.“Now there's a chance for me.”
He managed after a while to sell twenty of his packages. By this time it was twelve o'clock, and he began to feel hungry.He resolved, therefore, to go home to dinner and come out again in the afternoon.He didn't know how much he had made, but probably about fifty 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，“What luck, Mike？”that he drew it out, and opening it again, produced fifty cents.
“It's the big prize！”he said.“Sure I'm in luck, anyhow.”
“You'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 his—decoy ducks—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 beplaced in a new packet and used over again.
“That ain't the same package，”said Paul, announcing his discovery.“He had it all the while in his pocket.”
“Look here，”blustered Mike，“you just mind your own business！That's the best thing for you.”
“Suppose I don't？”
“If you don't there may be a funeral tomorrow of a boy about your size.”.
There was a laugh at Paul's expense, but he took it coolly.
“I'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.第四章 泰迪放弃了生意 Chapter 4 TeddyGives Up Business导读
保罗回到家后告诉妈妈和弟弟上午发生的事情，妈妈认为做人一定要光明正大，宁可少赚些钱也不能做欺骗的生意。杰米拿来自己的画给保罗看，保罗很惊讶，因为弟弟的画很精美，保罗认为弟弟以后一定能够成为成功的艺术家。一家人刚吃完午饭，杜范太太走了进来，她很热情地表示希望能够帮些忙，顺便鼓励了杰米的画作，这让杰米更加信心十足。
保罗再次来到邮局门口，他看到泰迪和同伙因分赃不均吵了起来。吉姆和麦克一伙，他们要求泰迪偿还所抽中的奖金；泰迪眼看自己招架不住，赶紧把钱塞进口袋转身逃走，两名同伙紧跟其后。没有了泰迪的干扰，保罗下午的生意很好，到四点就全部卖光了。ave you sold all your packages, Paul？”asked Jimmy, as our heroentered the humble room, where the table was already “Hspread with a simple dinner.
“No，”said Paul，“I only sold twenty. I begin to think that the prize-package business will soon be played out.”
“Why？”
“There's too many that'll go into it.”
Here Paul related his experience of the morning, explaining how it wasthat Teddy had managed to distance him in the competition.
“Can't you do the same, Paul？”asked Jimmy.“Mother's got a gold dollar she could lend you.”
“That might do，”said Paul；“but I don't know any boy I could trust to draw it except you, and some of them would know we were brothers.”
“I think, Paul, that would be dishonest，”said Mrs. Hoffman.“I would rather make less, if I were you, and do it honestly.”
“Maybe 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.”
“Jimmy, have you shown Paul your drawing？”said his mother.
“Here it is, Paul，”said Jimmy, producing his drawing-book, from which he had copied a simple design of a rustic cottage.
“Why, that's capital, Jimmy，”said Paul, in real surprise.“I had no idea you would succeed so well.”
“Do you really think so, Paul？”asked the little boy, much pleased.
“I really do. How long did it take you？”
“Only a short time—not more than half an hour, I should think，”said Mrs. Hoffman.“I think Jimmy succeeded very well.”
“You'll make a great artist some time, Jimmy，”said Paul.
“I wish I could，”said the little boy.“I should like to earn some money, so that you and mother need not work so hard.”
“Hard work agrees with me. I'm tough，”said Paul.“But 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.”
“I don't think I would enjoy that，”said Mrs. Hoffman, smiling.
“Will you be in the candy business, then, Paul？”said Jimmy.
“No, 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.”
“Sit down to dinner, Paul，”said his mother.“it'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 toprovide 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.
“The top of the mornin'to ye, Mrs. Donovan，”said Paul, bowing ceremoniously.
“Ah, ye'll be after havin'your joke, Paul，”said Mrs. Donovan, good-naturedly.“And how is your health, mum, the day？”
“I am well, thank you, Mrs. Donovan，”said Mrs.Hoffman.“Sit down to the table, won't you？We're just through dinner, but there's something left.”
“Thank 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.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Donovan, you are very kind；but you must have enough work of your own to do.”
“I'm stout and strong, mum, and hard work agrees with me；but you're a real 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 am not very good with the needle.My fingers is too coarse, belike.”
“Thank 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.
“And now what have you been doing, Jimmy darling？”said Mrs. Donovan, turning her broad, good-humored face toward the younger boy.
“I've been drawing a picture，”said Jimmy.“Would you like to see it？”
“Now, isn't that illigant？”exclaimed Mrs. Donovan, admiringly, taking the picture and gazing at it with rapt admiration.“Who showed you how to do it？”
“Paul bought me a book, and I copied it out of that.”
“You're a real genius. Maybe you'll make pictures some time like themwe have in the church, of the Blessed Virgin and the Saints.
“Do you think you could draw me, now？”she asked, with curiosity.
“I haven't got a piece of paper big enough，”said Jimmy, slyly.“Ah, it's pokin'fun at me, ye are，”said Mrs. Donovan, good-humoredly.“Just like my Pat；he run into the room yesterday sayin'，‘Mother, there's great news.Barnum's fat woman is dead, and he’s comin’after you this afternoon.He’ll pay you ten dollars a week and board.’‘Whist, ye spalpeen！’said I；‘is it makin’fun of your poor mother, ye are？’but I couldn’t help laughing at the impertinence of the boy.But I must be goin’。”
“Thank you for your kind offer, Mrs. Donovan.Jimmy shall go to your room for the sewing.”
“There's no hurry about that，”said Mrs. Donovan.“I'll jist bring it in meself when it's ready.”
“She is very kind，”said Mrs. Hoffman, when Bridget Donovan had gone.“I shall be glad to have her wash.I am apt to feel weak after it.What are you going to do this afternoon, Paul？”
“I'll try to sell out the rest of my stock of packages. Perhaps I shan't succeed, but I'll do my best.Shall you have another picture to show me when I come back tonight, Jimmy？”
“Yes, Paul；I love to draw. I'm going to try this castle.”
“It's rather hard, isn't it？”
“I can do it，”said Jimmy, confidently.
Paul left the room with his basket on his arm.
He was drawn by curiosity to the spot where he had met with his first success, as well as his first failure—the front of the post office. Here he became witness to an unexpectedly lively scene；in other words, a fight, in which Teddy O'Brien and his confederate, Mike, were the contestants.To explain the cause of the quarrel, it must be stated that it related to a division of the spoils.
Teddy had sold out his last package, seventy-five in number. For these he had received five cents apiece, making in all three dollars and seventy-five cents, of which all but a dollar and seventy-five cents, representing the value of the prizes and the original cost of the packages and their contents, was profit.
Now, according to the arrangement entered into between him and Mike, the latter, for his services, was to receive one cent on every package sold. This, however, seemed to Teddy too much to pay, so, when the time of reckoning came, he stoutly asseverated that there were but sixty packages.
“That don't go down，”said Mike, indignantly；“it's nearer a hundred.”
“No, it isn't. It's only sixty.You've got the fifty cents, and I'll give you ten more.”
“You must give me the whole sixty, then，”said Mike, changing his ground.“I drawed the fifty as a prize.”
Teddy was struck with astonishment at the impudence of this assumption.
“It wasn't no prize，”he said.
“Yes, it was，”said Mike.“You said so yourself. Didn't he, Jim？”
Jim, who was also a confederate, but had agreed to accept twenty-five cents in full for services rendered, promptly answered：“Shure, Mike's right. It was a prize he drew.”
“You want to chate me！”said Teddy, angrily.
“What have you been doin'all the mornin'？”demanded Mike.
“You're the chap to talk about chatin'，ain't you？”
“I'll give you twenty-five cents，”said Teddy，“and that's all I will give you.”
“Then you've got to fight，”said Mike, squaring off.
“Yes, you've got to fight！”chimed in Jim, who thought he saw a chance for more money.
Teddy looked at his two enemies, each of whom was probably more than a match for himself, and was not long in deciding that his best course was to avoid a fight by running. Accordingly, he tucked all the money into his pocket, and, turning incontinently, fled down Liberty street, closely pursued by his late confederates.
“I guess Teddy won't go into the business again，”he reflected.“I may as well take my old stand.”
Accordingly he once more installed himself on the post office steps, and began to cry，“Prize packages. Only five cents！”
Having no competitor now to interfere with his trade, he met with fair success, and by four o'clock was able to start for home with his empty basket, having disposed of all his stock in trade.
His profits, though not so great as the day before, amounted to a dollar.
“If I could only make a dollar every day，”thought Paul，“I would be satisfied.”第五章 保罗丢失了篮子 Chapter 5 PaulLoses His Basket导读
保罗又继续做着幸运袋的生意，他连续三周每天的收入从不低于75美分，在这期间也会遇到其他的竞争对手，保罗每次都以转移地点应付。泰迪再也没出现过，他在那次不仅被同伙痛打了一顿，还被拿走了赚的钱；他决定还是回去做擦皮鞋的生意。麦克和吉姆这两个家伙又向保罗提议以那种方式合作，这两个人的名声很不好，保罗拒绝了他们的提议。他们怀恨在心，准备报复保罗。这两个家伙没有正当职业，身上连吃饭的钱都没有。他们打起保罗的主意，经过商量两人决定，麦克负责拽下保罗的帽子，挡住他的视线；吉姆负责抢走装着幸运袋的篮子，两人碰头后再进行分赃。
麦克走过去靠近保罗，他以赊欠糖果袋为由和保罗假装争论起来，趁保罗不注意的时候使劲拉下保罗的帽子，吉姆上前一把抢走篮子，撒腿跑开了。保罗一时不知所措，等他反应过来时追上了麦克。保罗看出了他们的把戏，他气愤地揍了麦克两拳，正好一个警察经过；这个警察曾经拘留过他，知道他的底细，只警告了他一下便让他离开了。
aul continued in the prize-package business for three weeks.His success varied, but he never made less than seventy-five Pcents a day, and sometimes as much as a dollar and a quarter. He was not without competitors.More than once, on reaching his accustomed stand, he found a rival occupying it before him.In such cases he quietly passed on, and set up his business elsewhere, preferring to monopolize the trade, though the location might not be so good.
Teddy O'Brien did not again enter the field. We left him, at the end of the last chapter, trying to escape from Mike and Jim, who demanded a larger sum than he was willing to pay for their services.He succeeded in escaping with his money, but the next day the two confederates caught him, and Teddy received a black eye as a receipt in full of all demands.So, on the whole, he decided that some other business would suit him better, and resumed the blacking-box, which he had abandoned on embarking in commercial pursuits.
Mike Donovan and Jim Parker were two notoriously bad boys, preferring to make a living in any other way than by honest industry. As some of these ways were not regarded as honest in the sight of the law, each had more than once been sentenced to a term at Blackwell's Island.They made a proposition to Paul to act as decoy ducks for him in the same way as for Teddy.He liked neither of the boys, and did not care to be associated with them.This refusal Mike and Jim resented, and determined to“pay of”Paul if they ever got a chance.Our hero from time to time saw them hovering about him, but took very little notice of them.
He knew that he was a match for either, though Mike exceeded him in size, and he felt quite capable of taking care of himself.
One day Mike and Jim, whose kindred tastes led them to keep company, met at the corner of Liberty and William streets. Mike looked unusually dilapidated.He had had a scuffle the day before with another boy, and his clothes, always well ventilated, got torn in several extra places.Jim Parker looked a shade more respectable in attire, but his face and hands were streaked with blacking.To this, however, Jim had become so accustomed that he would probably have felt uncomfortable with a clean face.
“How are you off for stamps, Jim？”asked Mike.
“Dead broke，”was the reply.
“So am I. I ain't had no breakfast.”
“Nor I'cept an apple. Couldn't I eat, though？”
“Suppose we borrow a quarter of Paul Hoffman.”
“He wouldn't lend a feller.”
“Not if he knowed it，”said Mike, significantly.
“What do you mean, Mike？”asked Jim, with some curiosity.
“We'll borrow without leave.”
“How'll we do it？”
“I'll tell you，”said Mike.
He proceeded to unfold his plan, which was briefly this. The two were to saunter up to where Paul was standing；and remain until the group, if there were any around him should be dispersed.Then one was to pull his hat over his eyes, while the other would snatch the basket containing his prize packages, and run down Liberty street, never stopping until he landed in a certain alley known to both boys.The other would run in a different direction, and both would meet as soon as practicable for the division of the spoils.It was yet so early that Paul could not have sold many from his stock.As each contained a prize, varying from one penny to ten, they would probably realize enough to buy a good breakfast, besides the candy contained in the packages.More money might be obtained by selling packages, but there was risk in this.Besides, it would take time, and they decided that a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush.
“That's a good idea，”said Jim, approvingly.“Who'll knock his hat over his head？”
“You can，”said Mike，“and I'll grab the basket.”But to this Jim demurred, for two reasons：first, he was rather afraid of Paul, whose strength of arm he had tested on a previous occasion；and, again, he was afraid that if Mike got off with the basket he would appropriate the lion's share.
“I'll grab the basket，”he said.
“What for？”said Mike, suspiciously, for he, too, felt some distrust of his confederate.
“You're stronger'n I am, Mike，”said Jim.“Maybe he'd turn on me, and I can't fight him as well as you.”
“That's so，”said Mike, who had rather a high idea of his own prowess, and felt pleased with the compliment.“I'm a match for him.”
“Of course you be，”said Jim, artfully，“and he knows it.”
“Of course he does，”said Mike, boastfully.“I can lick him with one hand.”
Jim had serious doubts of this, but he had his reasons for concurring in Mike's estimate of his own powers.
“We'd better start now，”said Jim.“I'm awful hungry.”
“Come along, then.”
They walked up Liberty street, as far as Nassau. On reaching the corner they saw their unconscious victim at his usual place.It was rather a public place for an assault, and both boys would have hesitated had they not been incited by a double motive—the desire of gain and a feeling of hostility.
They sauntered along, and Mike pressed in close by Paul.
“What do you want？”asked Paul, not liking the vicinity.
“What's that to you？”demanded Mike.
“Quit crowdin'me.”
“I ain't crowdin'. I've got as much right to be here as you.”
“Here's your prize packages！”exclaimed Paul, in a businesslike tone.
“Maybe I'll buy one if you'll give me credit till tomorrow，”said Mike.
“Your credit isn't good with me，”said Paul.“You must pay cash down.”
“Then you won't trust me？”said Mike, pressing a little closer.
“No, I won't，”said Paul, decidedly.
“Then, take that, you spalpeen！”said Mike, suddenly pulling Paul's hat over his eyes.
At the same time Jim, to whom he had tipped a wink, snatched the basket, which Paul held loosely in his hand, and disappeared round the corner.
The attack was so sudden and unexpected that Paul was at first bewildered. But he quickly recovered his presence of mind, and saw into the trick.He raised his hat, and darted in pursuit of Mike, not knowing in what direction his basket had gone.
“That's a mean trick！”he exclaimed, indignantly.“Give me back my basket, you thief！”
“I ain't got no basket，”said Mike, facing round.
“Then you know where it is.”
“I don't know nothin'of your basket.”
“You pulled my hat over my eyes on purpose to steal my basket.”
“No, I didn't. You insulted me, that's why I did it.”
“Tell me where my basket is, or I'll lick you，”said Paul, incensed.
“I ain't nothin'to do with your basket.”
“Take that, then, for pulling my hat over my eyes，”and Paul, suiting the action to the word, dealt Mike a staggering blow in the face.
“I'll murder you！”shouted Mike, furiously, dashing at Paul with a blow which might have leveled him, if he had not fended it off.
Paul was not quarrelsome, but he knew how to fight, and he was prepared now to fight in earnest, indignant as he was at the robbery which entailed upon him a loss he could ill sustain.
“I'll give you all you want，”he said, resolutely, eyeing Mike warily, and watching a chance to give him another blow.
The contest was brief, being terminated by the sudden and unwelcome arrival of a policeman.
“What's this？”he asked authoritatively, surveying the combatants；Paul, with his flushed face, and Mike, whose nose was bleeding freely from a successful blow of his adversary.
“He pitched into me for nothin'，”said Mike, glaring at Paul, and rubbing his bloody nose on the sleeve of his ragged coat.
“That isn't true，”said Paul, excitedly.“He came up while I was selling prize packages of candy in front of the post office, and pulled my hat over my eyes, while another boy grabbed my basket.”
“You lie！”said Mike.“I don't know nothin'of your basket.”
“Why did you pull his hat over his eyes？”asked the policeman.
“Because he insulted me.”
“How did he insult you？”
“He wouldn't trust me till tomorrow.”
“I don't blame him much for that，”said the policeman, who was aware of Mike's shady reputation, having on a former occasion been under the necessity of arresting him. Even without such acquaintance, Mike's general appearance would hardly have recommended him to Officer Jones.
“I'll let you go this time，”he said，“but if I catch you fighting again on mybeat I'll march you off to the station-house.”
Mike was glad to escape, though he would almost have been willing to be arrested if Paul could have been arrested also.
The officer walked away, and Mike started down the street.
Paul followed him.
That didn't suit Mike's ideas, as he was anxious to meet Jim and divide the spoils with him.
“What are you follerin'me for？”he demanded, angrily.
“I have my reasons，”said Paul.
“Then you'd better stay where you are. Your company ain't wanted.”
“I know that，”said Paul，“but I'm going to follow you till I find my basket.”
“what do I know of your basket？”
“That's what I want to find out.”
Mike saw, by Paul's resolute tone, that he meant what he said.
Desirous of shaking him of, he started on a run.第六章 保罗不是画家 Chapter 6 Paulas An Artist导读
保罗没有放弃，还是一直跟着麦克，可在拐角处撞到了一个矮胖的绅士。胖绅士发火了，保罗停下来赶紧道歉，他解释说自己在追一个小偷，并大概讲了来龙去脉；胖绅士希望他以后见到自己的时候能够打声招呼。保罗因为停下的时间过久，没能追上麦克。
保罗回到家告诉了妈妈发生的一切，杰米气愤地表示很想揍麦克一顿。保罗决定放弃做幸运袋的生意了，他想再看看别的生意。正好有时间他便陪在弟弟身旁，看着弟弟画画水平越来越高，他不禁感叹弟弟的技能；在弟弟的央求下他也开始画起马来，其实保罗在画画方面没有天分，他纯粹为了逗弟弟开心。果然弟弟看了保罗的画作，笑得都喘不过气来了。吃完午饭后保罗便上街了，他打算看看有没有好生意可做，虽然货物被偷，但他没有沮丧放弃。路过卖领带的摊贩时，他停下来和摊主聊了起来。
aul was not slow in following Mike. He was a good runner,
andwould have had no difficulty in keeping up with his enemy if P
the streets had been empty.But to thread his way in and out among the numerous foot passengers that thronged the sidewalks was not so easy.He kept up pretty well, however, until, in turning a street corner, he ran at full speed into a very stout gentleman, whose scanty wind was quite knocked out of him by the collision.
He glared in anger at Paul, but could not at first obtain breath enough to speak.
“I beg your pardon, sir，”said Paul, who, in spite of his desire to overtake Mike, felt it incumbent upon him to stop and offer an apology.
“What do you mean, sir，”exploded the fat man, at last，“by tearing through the streets like a locomotive？You've nearly killed me.”
“I am very sorry, sir.”
“You ought to be. Don't you know better than to run at such speed？You ought to be indicted as a public nuisance.”
“I was trying to catch a thief，”said Paul.
“Trying to catch a thief？How's that？”asked the stout gentleman, his indignation giving way to curiosity.
“I was selling packages in front of the post office when he and another boy came up and stole my basket.”
“Indeed！What were you selling？”
“Prize packages, sir.”
“What was in them？”
“Candy.”
“Could you make much that way？”
“About a dollar a day.”
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