Part 22 (1/2)
I intend to pro, of your brilliant exploit in billing the silo”
”Oh, you saw hi? Now I understand why he hurried away and caer?”
”Yes”
”What did he say?”
”He was as pleased as a child with a new toy He said you were a winner in the advance game”
”Will he tell the men?”
”No That will be left for you to do in your oay”
Phil nodded reflectively
”And now let us go into the details We will first look over the railroad contracts, together with the livery, hotel and other contracts I a to leave you five hundred dollars in cash, and each week you will send in your payroll to the treasurer, ill forward the money by express to cover it
The five hundred is for current expenses Spend money with a lavish hand, where necessary to advance the interests of the show, and pinch every penny like a miser where it is not necessary That is the way to run a show”
Phil never forgot the advice
”And Teddy?”
”Yes, sir”
”You may, in addition to your other duties, act as a sort of office assistant and secretary to Phil I shalla full account of the day's doings, with any suggestions or questions that Phil may ask you to make, and enclose this with the report sheet
You understand, Phil, that your regular detailed reports go to the car behind you The one that comes to me is a brief summary”
”I understand”
”Have you the route?”
”No, sir”
”Perhaps it is in the desk Yes; here it is Now and then we shall have to es in it, of which I shall advise you, inas to your whereabouts so I may keep in touch with you”
”You may depend upon me, sir”
”I know it”
For the next half hour Mr Sparling and Phil were deeply engaged in poring over the books, the contracts and the innu to the work of an advance car
”There, I guess we have touched upon encies will arise daily Were it not for those anyone could run a car No two days are alike in any departencies and cope with them nobly Of that I am confident And now, Mr Philip Forrest, I officially turn over to you Advertising Car Nuood luck and no railroad wrecks Co back to the show The rest is up to you”
”Mr Sparling,” said Phil with a slight quaver in his voice, ”if I succeed it will be because of the training you have given me
I won't say I thank you, for I do not knohether I do or not
I may make an awful mess of it In that case I shall suffer a sad fall in your estimation But it is not my intention to make a , Teddy We will have a meal, and it won't be at a contract hotel, either,” said the showman, with a twinkle in his eyes