Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-01
The REWARD or peRsisTENcY.
An italian Pedd1er Gets More for His
Wares Than He Bargains For.

An italian Pcddler Gets More for His
Wares Than He Bargains For.
The persistency of the street fakir in
pressing his wares on reluctant purchasers
Is well known, and in many cases defeats
it's own object, but in an equal number of
cases, probably, it succeeds. One offensive
Italian peddler met with rather mixed re-
ward, however, Sunday, which must have
left some doubt in his mind as to whether he
had done well on the whole or i'll. He was
selling small pinwheels of bright colored
paper, near the main entrance to Prospect
park, when well dressed young mechanic
came along with a bright, clean, handsome
little boy of years. The fond mother who
accompanied them never took her eyes long
from her darling son, and her eyes seemed
to say to all who beheld her, "He is just as
good as he is pretty"
The peddler spotted" them for his prey
from afar off, and moved down on them
with his dozens of gay little wheels whir
ring in the wind. Seductively he said,
"Only five centa, buya one for de little
man." The little mans eyes danced with
glee, but his father waved the Italian aside
and said to his son; "No, no, Johnny. You
don't want one today We're going to
have ride in the boat on the lake in
stead"
Little Johnny was evidently on his best
behavior, for he resisted the temptation to
cry and allowed himself to be dragged
along by his father But he cast long
ing look over his shoulder at the toys and
Jagged little behind. The willy Italian
saw his chance, and taking a particularly
gaudy wheel in his hand, stepped up be-
hind the parents and offered it to the little
fellow. Johnnys face beamed with joyful
anticipation, as he thought the Italian was
going to give him one. He stretched out
his disengaged hand to receive it, but just
as his fingers seemed to clutch the futter-
ing wheel the peddler withdrew it, still
holding it up temptingly just beyond the
little fellows reach.
This was altogether too much for John
ny's self control, and he burst into howl
of rage and disappointment which nothing
could quiet His parents, not wishing to
spoil their outing, bought him wheel at
last and turned his tears to laughter, while
onlookers thought that Johnny's father
was altogether too soft hearted to allow
himself to be forced in this manner into
making purchase from the impertinent
peddler.
The latter was putting his coin into his
greasy pocket with Shrug and 1mpertl-
nent grin, when well directed and pow
erful blow on the tip of the jaw sent him
sprawling on the pavement, with his wares
under him.
''Take that, you dirty Dago," hissed the
heretofore placid father, who had struck
the blow. His high hat, that had been bal
anced so nicely on his head moment ago,
was now jammed down tight to the nape
of his neck the cuffs of his well brushed
coat were turned up; the lapel, that had a
flower in it's button hole, was now but
toned tight across the chest, and the angry
eye and set jaw showed that the peaceful
promenader was now full of fight. "Pll
teach you to bother people with your greedy
cheek after you have been civilly refused
once" he shouted. Pull your knife, now.
for of course you have one, and come on'
The swarthy peddler picked himself up
and the scowl of the vendetta was on his
face; his hand sought the pocket of his
loose blouse, but the unfriendly looking
group that gathered behind the angry
father seemed to bode him no good; so he
skunk away amid the jeers of the crowd to
find other and less belligerent customers.
New York Tribune.