"Quick, shell out and I'll promise you your money's worth,
or return the amount with legal interest."
The fifty cents was quickly collected, and, adding ten cents of
his own, Tom ran from the hotel. "No fish market open at this
time of night, "he said to himself.
"I'll have to try a restaurant," and hurried into the first place
which came into sight.
"Have you any crabs?" he asked, of the waiter who came to him.
"Yes, sah; very fine, sah. Want some softshell, sah?"
"I don't care whether they are soft-shell or as hard as rocks. I
want live crabs, the most active kind you have in stock."
The waiter stared in amazement, then called the owner of the
restaurant.
"You want live crabs?"
"I do -- strong, active, go-ahead crabs, and I want them in a
box."
"Is this a joke?"
"It will be -- when the crabs get to work," answered Tom with a
wink.
"Oh, I understand," laughed the restaurant keeper. "How many?"
"What are they worth?"
"Good nippers are worth ten cents apiece."
"Give me six, and mind you put them in a strong box for me."
Five minutes later Tom left the restaurant with the live crabs
tucked safely away in a shoe box under his overcoat.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184