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.
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