"THE CHEAPJACK."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 30, 30 October 1907, Page 11

"THE CHEAPJACK."

A SKETCH AT EVENTIDE; His faco shone pink and damp with tho line energy he threw into his business that was conducted under th 6 rude light of a kerosene torch," behind a packing case just clear of the streot throng at a central junction of city ways. With the eloquences ■of a Socialist leader, he had induced the salo of a fow whito pocket handkerchiefs, and with an impressively subdued air he started on a' now line. "Somo gem'man asks mo what is :in these little hoses," said ho. holding up a small rectangular bardboard box. '?I will tell you!" this condescendingly, as the lialf-interostcd crowd looked on placidly, with an after-dinner pipe in'its ngregate mouth: "In this 'ere box is the thing what guides tho world— a beautiful, 'arl-guinea fountain-pen. Yes, gom'men, a 'arf-guinea fountain-pen, samo as is used by all the bankers in tho town. But I'm not a-goin' to ask you for no 'nrf-(»ninca I'll tell you what I'll do. Look!" said he, opening tho box. "Hero's one, a lovely 'arf-fountain-pen, with': an electric gold nib; two, n filler of the latisst kind, and three, complete instructions how r.o use 'am Tell you what I'll do! I'll tako a hob for tho lot —who'll 'ave it?" ' Tboro was no response "Who'll 'avo it?" said he, thumping the box with one hand'and holding up tho 'arfguiuoa pen' in the other. "Look at that nib—a nib that won't corrode—and why won't it? because it is eleotrica), and it docsnt corrode, .'cos tho electricity is always playing round it!"—(laughter).

"A sbillin' for the lot—who'll 'avo it? yer won't?" said ho, growing excited. "Well, look 'ere!" Ho drew two shillings from his pocket and bracketed thorn with the pen— "Who'll 'avo it now for a bob?" No ono 7iiov<!<! for a bit, then a slow individual with spectacles lounged up and secured tho pri*:e. "\yho*ll 'avo another for a bob?" Several did—it only needed a start.