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Otis, James, 1848-1912

"Toby Tyler"


It was with a very heavy heart that he started around again in
obedience to Mr. Jacobs's angry command; but this time he did manage
to cry out, in a very thin and very squeaky voice, the words which
he had been told to repeat.
This time -- perhaps owing to his pitiful and imploring look,
certainly not because of the noise he made -- he met with very
good luck, and sold every glass of the mixture which Messrs. Lord
and Jacobs called lemonade, and went back to the stand for more.
He certainly thought he had earned a word of praise, and fully
expected it as he put the empty glasses and money on the stand in
front of Mr. Jacobs. But, instead of the kind words, he was greeted
with a volley of curses; and the reason for it was that he had
taken in payment for two of the glasses a lead ten cent piece. Mr.
Jacobs, after scolding poor little Toby to his heart's content,
vowed that the amount should be kept from his first week's wages,
and then handed back the coin, with orders to give it to the first
man who gave him money to change, under the penalty of a severe
flogging if he failed to do so.
Poor Toby tried to explain matters by saying: "You see, I don't
know anything about money; I never had more 'n a cent at a time,
an' you mustn't expect me to get posted all at once."
"I'll post you with a stick if you do it again; an' it won't be
well for you if you bring that ten cent piece back here!"
Now Toby was very well aware that to pass the coin, knowing it to
be bad, would be a crime, and be resolved to take the consequences
of which Mr.


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