CHAPTER XXIII. THE VENTRILOQUIST

  The boys went into the public room of the tavern. In the center wasa stove, around which were gathered a miscellaneous crowd, who hadassembled, as usual, to hear and talk over the news of the day. At thefarther end of the room was a bar, where liquor and cigars were sold.The walls of the room, which was rather low-studded, were ornamented bysundry notices and posters of different colors, with here and therean engraving of no great artistic excellence--one representing a horserace, another a steamer of the Cunard Line, and still another, thePresidents of the United States grouped together, with Washington as thecentral figure.

  "Have a cigar, Walton?" asked Frank Heath.

  "No, thank you, Frank."

  "You haven't got so far along, hey?"

  "I don't think it would do me any good," said Harry.

  "Maybe not; but jolly comfortable on a cold night. The worst of it is,it's mighty expensive."

  Frank walked up to the bar and bought a ten-cent cigar. He returned andsat down on a settee.

  "The magician isn't here," said Harry.

  "Hush, he is here!" said Frank, in a low voice, as the door opened, anda tall, portly man entered the room.

  Professor Henderson--for it was he--walked up the bar, and followedFrank Heath's example in the purchase of a cigar Then he glancedleisurely round the apartment. Apparently, his attention was fixed byour hero, for he walked up to him, and said: "Young man, I would like tospeak to you."

  "All right, sir," said Harry, in surprise.

  "If you are not otherwise occupied, will you accompany me to my room?"

  "Certainly, sir," returned Harry, in fresh wonder.

  "Perhaps he's going to take in Walton as partner," Frank Heath suggestedto Tom Frisbie.

  "I wonder what he want anyway?" said Frisbie. "Why didn't he take you?"

  "Because I'm too sharp," said Frank. "I should see through his tricks."

  Meanwhile, Harry had entered the professor's chamber.

  "Sit down," said the magician. "I'll tell you what I want of you. I wantyou to take tickets at the door of hall to-night. Can you do it?"

  "Yes, sir," said Harry, promptly.

  "It seems easy enough," said the professor; "but not everyone can do itrapidly without making mistakes. Are you quick at figures?"

  "I am usually considered so," said our hero.

  "I won't ask whether you are honest, for you would so, of course."

  "I hope--" commenced Harry.

  "I know what you are going to say; but there is no need of saying it,"interrupted the magician. "I judge from your face, which is an honestone. I have traveled about a good deal, and I am a good judge of faces."

  "You shall not be disappointed, sir."

  "I know that, in advance. Now, tell me if you are at work, or do youattend school?"

  "I have been at work in a shoe shop in this village, sir."

  "Not now?"

  "No, sir; business is dull, and work has given out."

  "What are you going to do next?"

  "Anything by which I can earn an honest living."

  "That's the way to talk. I'll take you into my employ, if you have noobjection to travel."

  Objection to travel! Who ever heard of a boy of fifteen who had anobjection to travel?

  "But will your parents consent? That is the next question. I don't wantto entice any boys away from home against their parents' consent."

  "My parents do not live here. They live farther north, in the town ofGranton."

  "Granton? I never was there. Is it a large place?"

  "No, sir, it is a very small place. My father consented to have me leavehome and he will have no objection to my earning my living in any honestway."

  "Well, my young friend, I can assure you that my way is an honest one,though I frankly confess I do my best to deceive the people who come tomy entertainments."

  "What is it you want me to do, sir?"

  "Partly what you are going to do to-night--take tickets at the door; butthat is not all. I have to carry about considerable apparatus and I needhelp about arranging it. Sometimes, also, I need help in my experiments.I had a young man with me; but he is taken down with a fever and obligedto go home. It is not likely, as his health is delicate, that he willcare to resume his position. I must have somebody in his place. I haveno doubt you will answer my purpose."

  "How much pay do you give, sir?"

  "A practical question," said the professor, smiling.

  "To begin with, of course I pay traveling expenses, and I can offer youfive dollars a week besides. Will that be satisfactory?"

  "Yes, sir," said Harry, his heart giving a great throb of exultation ashe realized that his new business would give him two dollars week morethan his work in the shop, besides being a good deal more agreeable,since it would give him a chance to see a little of the world.

  "Can you start with me to-morrow morning?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Then it is settled. But it is time you were at the hall. I will giveyou a supply of small bills and, change, as you may have to change somebills."

  He drew from his side pocket a wallet, which he placed in the hands ofour hero.

  "This wallet contains twenty dollars," he said: "Of course you willbring me back that amount, in addition to what you take at the door thisevening."

  "Very well, sir."

  "You can wait for me at the close of the evening, and hand me alltogether. Now go over to the hall, as the doors are to be open at halfpast seven o'clock."

  When Frank Heath and his companion went over to the Town Hall they foundHarry making change.

  "Hello, Walton!" said Frank. "Are you the treasurer of this concern?"

  "It seems so," said Harry.

  "You'll let in your friends for nothing, won't you?"

  "Not much. I charge them double price."

  "Well here's our money. I say, Tom, I wonder the old fellow didn't takeme instead of Walton."

  "That's easily told. You don't look honest enough."

  "Oh, if it comes to that, he passed over you, too, Tom."

  "He wouldn't insult a gentleman of my dignity. Come on; there's room onthe front seat."

  Harry was kept busy till ten minutes after eight. By that time aboutall who intended to be present were in the hall and the magician wasgratified by seeing that it was crowded. He was already well known inthe village, having been in the habit of visiting it every for yearsand his reputation for dexterity, and especially for ventriloquism, hadcalled out this large audience.

  The professor's tricks excited great wonder in the younger spectators. Iwill only dwell slightly on his ventriloquism. When he came to this partof the entertainment, he said: "Will any young gentleman assist me?"

  Frank Heath immediately left his seat and took up his position besidethe professor.

  "Now, sir," said the professor, "I want to ask you a question or two.Will you answer me truly?"

  A gruff voice appeared to proceed from Frank's mouth, saying: "Yes,sir."

  "Are you married, sir?"

  Again the same gruff voice answered: "Yes, sir; I wish I wasn't;" to thegreat delight of the small boys.

  "Indeed, sir! I hope your wife doesn't make it uncomfortable for you."

  "She licks me," Frank appeared to answer.

  "I am sorry. What does she lick you with?"

  "With a broomstick."

  Frank looked foolish and there was a general laugh.

  "I hope she doesn't treat you so badly very often, sir."

  "Yes, she does, every day," was the answer. "If she knowed I was up heretelling you, she'd beat me awful."

  "In that case, sir, I won't be cruel enough to keep you here any longer.Take my advice, sir, and get a divorce."

  "So I will, by hokey!"

  And Frank, amid hearty laughter, resumed his seat, not having uttered aword, the professor being responsible for the whole conversation.