Part 30 (1/2)
After this adventure the river was soon crossed, and an hour later Leo and Carl found themselves installed at another hotel but a short distance from the mansion at which they were to perform.
While they were taking a stroll through the village, Carl's eyes were suddenly arrested by a huge poster stuck on the side of a barn.
”Look, Leo, what do you think of that?” he cried.
The poster referred to ran as follows:
Wampole's Trans-Continental Specialty Company.
Reorganized!
Better and Brighter than Ever!
See Leo, the Wonderful Clown and Gymnast!
Don't Miss Carl Ross, The Greatest Juggler and Magician The World Has Ever Produced!
30-Other Artists-30!
At Pelham's Hall To-night!
Admission 15 and 25 Cents.
”If that ain't cheeky!” burst out Leo. ”What right has he to advertise us when we are no longer with him?”
”That is what I would like to know,” returned Carl.
”We ought to stop him.”
”We certainly can,” said the young juggler. ”He hasn't any more right to use our names than the president's.”
”What shall we do?”
”I wonder where we can find him?”
”Most likely at Pelham's Hall, wherever that is.”
The two made inquiries and soon located the hall, which was situated over the general store.
Going upstairs, they met a tough-looking individual coming down.
It was Bill Gormley, one of the Wampole Company.
He was put down on the bills as Ricardo, the Great German Impersonator.
He could do one or two things fairly well, but the majority of his acts were decidedly poor. More than that, he was a heavy drinker, and had on several occasions appeared on the stage when he could hardly stand.
”Hullo, Ross!” he called out. ”Hullo, Dunbar! so you've decided to rejoin, eh?”
”Hardly,” replied Carl. ”Where is Wampole?”
”Back of the stage. But you ain't going to join us, you say?”
”We are not,” answered Leo.