Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-08-28
THE REWARD OF pERsIsrENcY.
An italian Peddler Gets More for HIS
Wares Than He Bargains For

An italian Peddler Gets More for HIS
Wares Than He Bargains For.
The persistency of the street falSir 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 a 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 ill., He was
selling small pipwheels of bright colored
paper, near the main entrance to Prospect
park, when well dressed young mechanic
came along with 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 prev
from afar off, and moved down on them
with his dozens of gay little wheels whir-
ring in the wind. Seductiyely 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 q 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 particularly
gaudy wheel in his hand, stepped up be
| hind the parents and offered it to the little
fol ITlV 4
| anticipation, as he thought the Italian was
going to give him one. He stretched out
| his disengaged hand TO receive it, but lust
| as his fingers seemed to clutch the hutter-
| 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 a 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 a purchase from the impertinent
| peddler.
The latter was putting his coin into his
greasy pocket with shrug and imperti-
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," Missed 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 its button hole, was now but
toned tight across the chest and the angry
eye and set jaw showed that the peaceful
promenader WIS now full of fight. III
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 onr'
| 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 unfriendy 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.