Part 46 (1/2)

”Come in and try one on.”

”No, thank you; not to-night.”

”Won't cost you anything; come on,” persisted the fellow.

”I don't care to buy to-night.”

”That's all right; just try 'em on, and see how nice they look on you.”

”Thank you, but I won't bother you,” and Ralph attempted to walk away.

The ”puller-in” was not going to lose him thus easily, however. Trade had been bad with him for the day, and he felt he must sell something or his position with the owner of the establishment would be at stake.

”It's no trouble to show goods, my dear sir; walk right in,” he said, and, instead of letting Ralph go, pushed him toward the open store doors.

”But I don't want to buy,” insisted Ralph, who began to fancy he was not being treated just right.

”Didn't ask you to buy, my dear sir. Isaac just show this young gentleman some of those beautiful all-wool suits for nine and ten dollars.”

A greasy old Jew at once came forward, rubbing his hands.

”Chust sthep back here,” he said, smiling broadly. ”I vill show you der greatest pargains in New York.”

”But I don't care to bu----” began Ralph again, but the Jew cut him short.

”Ve got dese suits at a great pargain,” he said. ”Da vos made originally to sell at twenty dollars. So efery von vot buys von of dem suits saves ten or elefen dollars on der burchase brice.”

He hurried Ralph back to the rear of the store, and in a trice had at hand half a dozen suits, more or less faded, and of exceedingly doubtful material.

”Chust try on der coat and vest,” he said. ”Here, Rachel, hold der young gentleman's coat an' vest till I fit him to perfection,” he went on to his wife, who had come up.

”Oh, Isaac, it vos a shame to sold dem peautiful allvool suits for twelfe dollars!” she cried, in a.s.sumed dismay.

”I vos sold dem for nine and ten dollars,” returned Isaac.

”Vot, you reduced dem again?” she cried, in well-a.s.sumed horror.

”Yah, I vos got to haf der monish.”

”It vos der greatest pargain sale in der vorld!” cried the woman. ”You ought to buy two suits vile it lasts,” she went on to Ralph.

In the meantime her husband was trying to make Ralph take off his coat and vest. He at length succeeded, and in a trice had part of one of the store suits on his back.

”Ach! vot an elegant fit!” he cried, in deep admiration. ”Chust like it vos made to order!”

”Peautiful! peautiful!” joined in his wife.

”Vill you try on der bants?” asked the Jew.