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.
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