Part 11 (2/2)
”This isn't a--er--a joke, Tom?” asked William Philander, suspiciously.
”They want somebody, I tell you, honest. Don't they, Jepson?” went on Tom, turning to a lad who had been to Ashton with him.
”They sure do,” answered Jepson, and then turned away to hide the broad grin on his face.
”How long is the entertainment to last?”
”You will have to get all the information from the gentlemen,” answered Tom, calmly. ”Just go down to the drug store and ask for Mr. Carr and Mr. Beckwith, and they'll tell you all about it. It's a fine chance for you, Tubby,” concluded Tom, and then walked away, followed by his chums.
”Tom, what is the game?” demanded Sam, when they were out of hearing.
”We'll go down to the drug store Sat.u.r.day afternoon and see,” was the reply.
”Are Carr and Beckwith the moving picture men?”
”Yes, and they want a young man to play usher, and do a lot of other things--one who can sing preferred,” and the fun-loving Tom grinned broadly.
”Oh, Tom, and you would send William Philander there!” cried Songbird.
”Such a dude as he is! He'll never forgive you!”
”There is seven dollars a week in it to start,” answered the fun-loving Rover calmly, and this made all in the crowd roar, for they knew how rich Tubbs was and how working for seven dollars a week would appeal to him.
This conversation occurred on Thursday and the crowd of boys waited impatiently for Sat.u.r.day to come. Sam was glad to notice that Tom seemed to improve daily and was acting very much like his old self.
On Sat.u.r.day, directly after lunch, Sam and Tom saw William Philander start off for Ashton. He was stylishly dressed as usual and carried a gold-headed cane, and in his b.u.t.tonhole was a large carnation.
”Now for the fun!” cried Tom, and he and Sam quickly gathered their chums together and all went after the dude, but kept out of his sight.
The drug store that William Philander was bound for was located on a corner, with doors opening on both streets. On the side street there was also an ordinary window, and both doors and window were wide open.
”We'll go around to the side and watch him,” suggested Tom, and this was done.
Sprucing up, so as to look his very best, William Philander strode into the drug store. As it chanced, several young ladies of the town were having soda at the fountain, and as he had once met one of them, he made a most profound bow, lifting his hat as he did so. Then he approached the proprietor of the shop, who was putting up a prescription at the rear counter, close to the open window.
”Mr. Carter I believe?” he lisped.
”Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
”I am Mr. William Philander Tubbs, from Brill College,” was the lofty answer. ”Perhaps you have heard of me. I came in to meet two gentlemen, Mr. Carr and Mr. Beckwith. Are they here?”
”Not yet, Mr--er--Mr. Phillips?”
”No, no, Mr. William Philander Tubbs. When will they be here, may I ask?”
”I expect 'em any moment, Mr--er--Mr. Tubbs.”
”Then I'll wait for them,” answered the dude, and sank down in a chair.
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