After some negotiation this plan was carried out, and Tom Hooper was accepted at the restaurant as Ben’s successor.
CHAPTER XVII.
RIVALS IN BUSINESS.
Just at first Ben failed to make the money that he expected. There is a way to sell papers as there is to do any other kind of business, and it took a little time to learn.
But Ben meant to succeed and in the end he did. The first day he cleared but forty-five cents, the second, sixty-four, the third, seventy, and the fourth, eighty cents.
His good clothes attracted attention, not only on the part of customers, but also from other boys in the same kind of business.
This was especially the case with two boys who sold papers near Ben. These boys, whose names were Patsy Blake and Mike Parley, eyed Ben askance, and both took a violent prejudice against him, not only because he was a new comer, but also on account of his wearing clothes better than they could afford. This dislike was intensified when Ben began to be successful.
“Patsy,” said Mike, “did you take notice of that dude that’s sellin’ papers near Houston Street?”
“Yes, Patsy, the one that’s dressed like a Fifth Avenue swell.”
“Yes, he’s the one.”