I got one of 'em."

There was a group of half-a-dozen boys around Paul, two of whom were
about to invest; but on hearing thus they changed their intention, and
walked of in the direction of the post office.

Looking up, Paul saw that the boy who had injured his trade was Mike,
who had drawn the first fifty-cent prize from his competitor.

"Can't you stop interfering?" he said, angrily. "I've lost two customers
by you."

"If you don't like it, you can lump it," said Mike, insolently. "This is
a free country, ain't it?"

"It's a mean trick," said Paul, indignantly.

"Say that ag'in, and I'll upset your basket," returned Mike.

"I'll say it as often as I like," said Paul, who wasn't troubled by
cowardice. "Come on, if you want to."

Mike advanced a step, doubling his fists; but, finding that Paul showed
no particular sign of fear, he stopped short, saying: "I'll lick you
some other time."

"You'd better put it off," said Paul. "Have a prize package, sir? Only
five cents!"

This was addressed to a young man who came out of an insurance office.