320 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



The man who hesitates is lost, and the oyster vendor 

 thought that he had a customer, and that a marvel was 

 happening, when the shabby figure stopped and the miser 

 was obviously debating pros and cons. 



" How do you sell your oysters ?" The voice was a 

 weak quaver. 



" Six cents a dozen for the small and twelve for the 

 large," was the answer. 



The poor wretch looked long and wistfully. It was a 

 wrench to part with cash. 



"Won't you let me have a dozen of the large for ten 

 cents ?" 



" No," snapped the salesman. 



It was hard lines, but at least the toll might be saved. 



" Suppose I have half a dozen of each : will you let 

 me have them for eight cents ?" 



" I've told you my price ; if you won't pay that you 

 shan't have any." 



As the words were spoken, a passer-by, to whom the 

 would-be bargain driver was unknown, and who was struck 

 by his wan and threadbare appearance, threw some coins 

 on the stall. 



" There, buy a dozen !" And he hurried on. 



With instinctive eagerness the miser put out his talon- 

 like fingers and gathered in the gift. But his purpose was 

 unchanged. 



" Shall I have the half dozen of each for eight cents ?" 



" No, you Jew !" cried the oyster vendor. 

 "Then I'll keep the money." 



And the victim of avarice grudgingly disbursed his 

 gate fee, and pushed on over the bridge. After all, he had 

 often denied hunger and weariness before. 



