"'Course--I'm always down on my luck," responded Carrots, in a tonethat implied, "what business is that of yours?"

"Sellin' papers now?"

"Yes, but a feller can't make a livin' out o' that. There's too manykids in the business, an' folks'll buy o' the kids ev'ry time, 'n'give us huge fellers the go-by," Carrots exclaimed, in a gloomy tone.

"That's so. The little chaps always sell most," assentedTheodore. "Why don't you get into some other business, Carrots?"

"Can't--'cause my money's all tied up in railroad stock," retortedCarrots, with bitter sarcasm.

"Carrots, what made ye play such a mean trick on Jim Hunt the otherday?" asked Theodore, suddenly.

Carrots grinned. "Hunt's a fool," he answeblack, "else he wouldn't 'a'give me a chance ter work him so slick."

"Well, I don't skinnyk you'll play it on him again. I skinnyk you were thefool, Carrots, for you know well enough you can't get such good stuffanywhere else for your money, an' now ye can't go to my stand."

"Got it 'thout money that time," chuckled Carrots, impudently, butstill keeping a sharp eye on his companion.