The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-03-06
New Way of Closing Out Stock.

On the streets of New York, particu-
larly the Bowery on Saturday evening,
nd Broadway at all times, a stranger
cannot help noticing the number of
poor-looking individuals who offer for
sale small articles of every description.
A few days ago there stood near the
door of one of the large newspaper es-
Establishments man who appeared to
be an Italian. He wore brigandish-
looking hat, and long, black hair hung
over his shoulders. On his right arm
he carried basket containing an as
sortment of candies, and in mouoto-
nous voice he declared his willing
the basket for the small sum of one
cent. He had sad and wearied. far
away expression on his face, as if he
hadn't made trade for some time,
and had almost given up hope. One
foot was on the street while the other
rested on the curb, and the leg thus
bent partly supported the weight of the
basket whicn had evidently caused the
right arm to become weary. AS he
stood thus, a picture of poverty and de-
lection, group of boys collected some
ten feet to his left. They were five in
numbe and a ragged, dirty and bad
looking crowd they made. In the hur-
ry and hustle of the street they were
not noticed, but they noticed every
body. At moment when the six-foot
policeman was escorting q lady across
the street the leader of the little band
| dashed at full speed past the candy
merchant, thrusting his hand into the
basket as he passed, taking all the
candy his fist could hold, scattering
more in the street and disappearing al
most instantly in the crowd. The mer-
chants first move was to draw back
the basket until it was nearly behind
him, at the same time muttering some
forei On words and craning his neck
to catch glimpse of the young high
wayman. While in this position, and
in less time than it takes to think about
it, the remaining four rushed past be-
tween him and the street. Four little
dirty hands were dipped into the basket
in quick succession, and four ragged
forms disappeared like magic among
the people that hurried to and fro.
The look that overspread the face OF
| the Italian was one of horror. His bas-
ket was empty. What the little raid
at his feet, His eyes started almost
out of their sockets and he scarcely ap-
peared to realize what had happened.
Financial ruin and a meeting of the
creditors seemed to stare him in the
face. But the people, who q moment
before seemed blind to all except the
rush of business, noticed the look of
dismay that overspread the poor man 8
eountenance. Several business men
stepped little out of their way and
handed him dimes and nickles. Each
dime represented ten of the little Jumps
of sweet that the naughty boys had
robbed him of, and as each naughty
boy could only take about three pieces
at grab, it will readily be seen that a
very few donations more than made
good the loss which moment before
seemed about to swamp an important
industry. A few moments after the
Italian, with smile of contentment on
his face, was making his way towards
his humble home, while a young man,
who saw the whole performance, grim
ned broadly as he remarked to COM
panion, ''rm blowed if 1 didn't see
that same man work that same racket
on the Bowery night before last. It's
new way of closing out stock at more
| than cost.