Part 11 (1/2)
CHAPTER VIII
THE JOKE ON WILLIAM PHILANDER
The news Tom had brought created much interest in Brill. In the past anything in the shape of public amus.e.m.e.nt for the students had been scarce. Once in a while a cheap theatrical company would stop at Ashton and give a performance, but usually it was of such a poor order that if the boys went they would poke fun at it.
”How do you know it will be any good, Tom?” asked Songbird.
”Oh, I'm not sure that it will be. But the druggist told me that the men were well-known in the movies and had some first-cla.s.s show-houses elsewhere, so I'm hoping it will be all right.”
”Is it going to be a five or ten-cent house?” asked another.
”Five in the afternoon and ten at night.”
”Then I'm going to begin to save my pennies,” announced Spud, seriously. ”I've got two saved already and if I am careful for the next month or two I'll have enough to buy a ticket.”
”That is, provided I'll lend you one cent,” added Tom, and this caused a general grin. He looked around and saw William Philander approaching. ”Hi, Tubblets!” he called out. ”Here's a job for you.”
And he waved his hand quickly for the dudish student to approach.
”Now, no more jokes, Tom Rover,” was the warning of the stylishly-dressed one. ”No more jokes.”
”Jokes?” repeated Tom. ”This is a job--a splendid situation--open to just such a handsome, well-proportioned young gentleman like yourself.”
”What--ah--do you want?” asked William Philander, curiously.
”Wouldn't you like to a.s.sist during the evening at a new entertainment at Ashton? A couple of gentlemen are getting up an entertainment for the benefit of the ladies and gentlemen and they wish the aid of a real nice young man, to show the folks to their seats and make them comfortable, and all that. And maybe they'll want you to sing--just to help things along, you know.”
”Oh, is that it?” and the dudish student's face brightened. On several occasions he had a.s.sisted at charity bazaars and the like, and had been in his element among the well-dressed girls and their mothers.
”I think you would just fill the bill, Willie,” went on Tom. ”You are the best looking fellow here, and of course we know n.o.body dresses quite as well as you do.”
”Oh, yes, of course--it's very kind to mention that, Tom,” and William Philander commenced to swell up with pride. ”Yes, I do try to keep up with the fas.h.i.+ons. But about this entertainment. Who is getting it up and what benefit is it for?”
”Two gentlemen named Carr and Beckwith are getting it up. I don't know about the benefit. You can find out about that from them. But it's a splendid chance to show what you can do. You know all about showing folks to seats, and all that, don't you?”
”Why, yes, of course.”
”And you could sing, eh?”
”Well,--ah--I might render that spring song--'Come Where the Flowers are Blooming, Dearest Mary.'”
”Just the cheese--I mean it would be fine, Tubby. They'd all go wild about that song. It's the same one you sang for the Prince of Moneco, isn't it?--or was it the Duke of Twisters?”
”I--er--I never sang for those folks, Tom--I sang it at the Ladies Aid of the Golden Hope Society, and at the Quarterly Gathering of the Poladic Society.”
”Yes, yes, I remember now. Well, you are just the one to fill the bill, Bill, yes, you are.”
”Please don't call me Bill, it's horrid. But where shall I find out about this--er--entertainment?”
”At Carter's new drug-store. The gentlemen are to be there Sat.u.r.day afternoon, to make all arrangements. You go by all means--I know they will be delighted to have your a.s.sistance.”