When he had first gone into the street to
try his chances there, it had been with a degree of diffidence.
But knocking about the streets soon gives a boy confidence,
sometimes too much of it; and Paul had learned to rely upon
himself; but the influence of a good, though humble home, and a
judicious mother, had kept him aloof from the bad habits into
which many street boys are led.
So Paul, though his stock in trade had been stolen, and he was
obliged to seek a new kind of business, was by no means
disheartened. He walked a little way downtown, and then,
crossing the City Hall Park, found himself on Broadway.
A little below the Astor House he came to the stand of a
sidewalk-merchant, who dealt in neckties. Upon an upright
framework hung a great variety of ties of different colors, most
of which were sold at the uniform price of twenty-five cents
each.
Paul was acquainted with the proprietor of the stand, and, having
nothing else to do, determined to stop and speak to him.
CHAPTER VII
A NEW BUSINESS
The proprietor of the necktie stand was a slender,
dark-complexioned young man of about twenty-five, or thereabouts.
His name was George Barry. Paul had known him for over a year,
and whenever he passed his stand was accustomed to stop and speak
with him.
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