Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-25
HUCKSTER JIM
BY REBECcA HARDING DAVIS.

BY REBECCA HARDING DAVIS.
Youths Companion.
peas! Champion of England peas
Fresh pulled this morning.
Carroll Hutter sauntered to the window
as the cry sounded in front of it,
'sDo come here, mammal Did you ever
see anything so absurd2 Positively,
Rollins has stopped the wretched crea-
lures! 1t is disgrace to the house,
The wretched creatures were a donkey,
and its driver, thin, lame boy of twelve,
clad in well-patched rags. The donkey
sdrew sort of basket-wagon, also patched
with willow withes, bits OF sapling, etc.
Inside were potatoes, peas, and a few
baskets of late strawberries.
Mrs. Hunter stepped to the side door,
before which the wagon was drawn up,
and beckoned to her servant.
Rollins, why do you bring that miser
able cart near the house? You should
either send it to the back door, or buy
from the provision stores"
Because, madam cook says that this
boys vegetables are just out OF the ground
and those in the stores are STALE | could
have sent him to the back door, but the
lad is inclined to resent an order of any
Sort"
Mrs. Hutter, like many fashionable
women, liked to fancy herself a capable
housekeeper. She motioned to the boy
Chow can you bring fresher vegetables
than Scott, who supplies all the best
families in this neighborhood?"
Because | raise them, ma'am.''
Where is your farm?"
cts only patch--in Jersey, five
miles the other side of the river"
"How do you sell your peas?' inter-
rupted her son Carroll.
"Fifty cents the half-peck.'
'How does that compare with SCOTS
prices, Rollins?"
''Just double, SIR
sYou are cheat, boy! I shall not
give you penny more than Scott asks.
The boy promptly emptied the peas
into the wagon again. "They are worth
double. I shall not sell them for less,:'
he said.
Rollins glanced at his mistress. aThey
are worth it, madam, He sells them to
Judge Skaters people at that price.
He's sort Of 'prodgy' of Mrs. Shafer.'
Now the Skaters reigned absolutely in
that world of fashion in which the Hut
tiers were admitted on sufferance.
"a protege of Mrs. Shaffers? All!
Come here, boy" said Mrs. Hutter.
"You can take his vegetables, Rollins,
How did you find the means to 60 into
this business?''
81 had no means, ma'am. I was d
newsboy. Mother took in sewing. One
day found we could rent house be-
| yOnd Camden with an acre of land for
what our room COS. us. So I took moth
er out there. We raised vegetables and
herbs. I always bring them with the
dew or them. | charge the highest price
and only take them to people who have
money to pay the highest price,"
"What do you do when the vegetable
season is ever?"
II bring in nuts, and pressed leaves
and ferns to the same ladies. 1 sell te
them cheaper than they could buy IN tie
stores, and they give me more than the
stores would pay to me.'
s'The boy has the real business faculty !
said Mrs. Hutter.
Her son Carroll, who was a year olde,
than the pea-merchant, caressed his up
per lip, where the mustache would b,
sometime, and stared at him insolently
ssWhat ridiculous turnout! Did 20,
buy the cart and jackass with the pro
ceeds of the patch, eh?"
Eyes. Did you ever buy anything
with money you earned?" looking at hin
steadily.
81? What do you take me for, 20,
impairment puppy? Don't you know
a gentleman when you see him, you beg
carly huxster?"
| The other boy stopped, surveyed hin
coolly from head to foot, and then sail
quietly, Eyes, l think do. 1 dom
see HIM here"
| Carroll grew white with rage, the NOR
as he fancied he saw a covert laugh o.
Rollins face.
| ''Take that, you dog!'' he said, dealin,
the cripple blow across the face with
cane which he carried.
| The boy staggered back, recovere,
himself, and sprang at him furiously
Mrs. Hutter screamed. Rollins caugh
Jim and held HIM helpless.
go for a policeman, CARROLL" cried hi
mother. Il saw him attack you! H
meant murder!'
4 Rollins loosened his hold. "You't
better cut and run, JIM" he whispered
Then he said aloud, "He's got clear o
me!' Perhaps it's as well, ma'am. Maste
Carroll struck the first blew. The Law
might have taken that into account
"The law discriminates between