Part 9 (1/2)
”'Home, Sweet Home.'”
The staunch friend of the motion picture chums waved his hand like a showman proudly exhibiting wares. He had a smiling and enthusiastic audience. Everybody was smiling, even Hal Vincent, who had no particular interest in the new photo playhouse. Frank's face was beaming, Randy looked his delight and Pep uttered the words, with unction:
”It's simply great!”
Two days had made considerable difference in the situation at Seaside Park. All hands had entered with enthusiasm into the proposition of starting in on the new deal, with the certainty in view of sufficient capital to finance them for at least two months ahead. The chums spent so many delightful hours figuring, planning, and mapping out details that Randy got to talking in his sleep, and Pep aroused all hands by screaming out in the midst of a nightmare in which he had started a photo playhouse in China, and the natives had mobbed him when a film showed one of their favorite mandarins being carried away in an airs.h.i.+p.
It was Jolly, however-bustling, practical Ben Jolly-who had won the laurels on the present occasion. When the vacant store had been used, at the rear was a temporary kitchen. This was a frail structure set on stilts, but roomy and just the thing for summer occupancy. Jolly was a natural born trader. It seemed that he found some difficulty in disposing of the old horse and wagon for cash. Finally, however, he came across a dealer in second hand furniture. Jolly had got the idea in his head of cutting down living expenses and utilizing the old kitchen tacked on to the store building.
The chums were down at the hotel that afternoon and Jolly planned a grand surprise for them. It was now, upon their arrival at the playhouse building, that the pleasure and praise of the motion picture chums hailed him.
No one could have failed to approve of the wonderful transformation Jolly had made in a bare, cheerless lumber room. He had traded to good advantage. There was a substantial table, a half dozen chairs, a cupboard, a gas stove, a complete outfit of culinary utensils, dishes and table cutlery, neat curtains for the windows and drapery dividing the room in two parts, and one side section again into two compartments.
In each of these were three cots, a table and a bureau. The cots had double equipment of sheets and blankets, worn but attractive rugs covered the floor, and there were several pictures on the walls. It was no wonder that Pep Smith burst forth in his usual responsive way with the declaration:
”It's simply great!”
”When you come to think that I got all those traps and forty dollars in cash to boot for that impossible old rig of ours,” observed Jolly, ”you will see that I made a very interesting d.i.c.ker. What do you say, Durham; we can make a neat cut in expenses, eh?”
”Why, it makes easy the hardest part of our whole proposition,” declared Frank.
”Yes, and here we can always be right on the spot,” spoke Randy.
”I'm something of a cook,” boasted Jolly. ”I don't say I could make bread or pie, but as to common, everyday food, an occasional strawberry shortcake, or even doughnuts-well, you stock up with the supplies and I'll promise to do my best.”
”It's just fine,” voted Pep. ”The sleeping rooms look right across to the ocean and there's a splendid sweep of air with all these openings.
It will be cool and comfortable on the very hottest nights. I'll wash all the dishes, Mr. Jolly, and set the table, and all that.”
”Oh, we shall get on famously, I am sure of that,” observed Frank with keen satisfaction.
The boys decided that they would at once move their traps from the hotel and make permanent headquarters at their home base. They had their first meal in their new quarters that evening.
”You have certainly given us a royal meal, Mr. Jolly,” declared Frank, as beefsteak, fried potatoes, bakery biscuit, and coffee and a really creditable corn starch pudding went the rounds.
”Sorry I've got to leave you,” remarked Vincent. ”I'd ask nothing better than to camp right here for the rest of the season.”
”Then why not do it?” inquired the ready Pep.
”Yes, if you care to take pot luck with us till we get fairly on our feet, you can certainly help us along with all your varied accomplishments, Mr. Vincent,” declared Frank.
”I've got that in mind,” explained Vincent, ”but I must get to New York first. You see, the show I was with that broke up owes me money. I want to see if I can't get something out of the wreck and I want to call on the backers of the proposition. I'd better get to the city while I have the partners.h.i.+p profits Jolly has been good enough to say I have earned on that bird house speculation. If I don't it will melt away.”
”I say,” here put in Jolly, ”why don't you and Durham go together? As it's arranged, Durham, you have got to put in a day or two arranging for what new equipment we need and the film service.”
”That is true,” replied Frank, ”and Mr. Vincent knows so much about the motion picture business his advice and help would be of great benefit to me.”
”I do know the ropes among the movies pretty well,” said Vincent. ”I will be more than glad to take you the rounds and see that you get the very best service and figures, Mr. Durham.”
”And I am to go back to Fairlands and arrange about moving what we want of the old outfit?” inquired Jolly.
”I think that is the best arrangement, yes,” a.s.sented Frank. ”Randy and Pep must stay here to look after the place and receive what I may s.h.i.+p and what you send on. Then, before we start, the three of us must run down to Fairlands to see the folks.”