Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1890 — THE REWARD OF PERSISTENCY. [ARTICLE]

THE REWARD OF PERSISTENCY.

Am Italian Peddler Gets Here tor HU Warne - than He Bargains For. The persistency of the street fakir in pressing his wares on reluctant purchasers is well known, and in nan j cases defeats its own object, but in an. equal number of cases, probably, it succeeds. One offensive Italian peddler met with a rather mixed reward, however, last Sunday, which must - have left some doubt in his mind as towhether he htA done well on the whole - or ill. He was selling small pinwheels of bright colored paper, nearthe main entrance to Prospect Park, when a well dressed young mechanic came along with a bright, clean, handsome little boy of five years. Thefond mother who accompanied them never took her eyes long from her darling son, and her eyes seemed tossy to all wko beheld her : “He is just ;. as good as he is pretty.” 'ihe peddler “spotted” them for hiaprey from afar off, and moved down, on them with his dozens of gay little - wheels whirring in the wind. Seductively he said: “Only five centa, buya . one for de little man.” The littleman’s eyes danced with glee, but his . father waved the Italian aside and said, to his son: “No, no, Johnny. Yon. don’t want one to-day. We’re going tohave a ride in the boat on the lake instead.” 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 a longing look over hisshoulder at the toys and lagged a littlebehind. The wily Italian saw his . chance, and taking a particularly gaudy wheel in his hand, stepped upbehind the parents, and offered it to, tfie little fellow. Johnny’s 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 fluttering wheel the peddler withdrew it, still holding it up temptingly just beyond the little'' fellow’s reach. This was altogether too much for Johnny’s self-control and he burst intoa howl of rage and disappointment which nothing could quiet. His parents, not wishing to spoil their outing, bought him a wheel at last and turned his tears to laughter, while on-lookera thought that Johnny’s father w r as 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 liis coin into • his greasy pocaat with a shrug and impertinent grin, when a well-directed, and powerful blow on the tip of the jaw sent him sprawling on the pavement, with his wares under him. “Take that, you dirty dago,” hissedl the heretofore placid father, who had. struck, the blow. His high hat, that had been balanced so nicely on his head a 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 flowerin its button-hole, was now buttoned tight across the chest, and the angry eye and set jaw showed that the peaceful promenader was now full of fight.. “I’ll teach you to bother people with • your greedy cheek after you have beeix. civilly refused once,” he shouted. “Pull your knife now, for of course you have one, and come on!” The swarthy peddler picked him — self 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 tobode no good; so he slunk away amid. the jeers of the crowd, to find otherand less belligerent customers.”—— Nero York Tribune.