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Everybody in Wilkesville will know before to-morrow night that they will have the opportunity of attending a first-class performance at the Music Hall." "It seems to me the necessary expenses are considerable," said Philip uneasily. "Of course they are; but what does that matter?" "What is to be the price of tickets?"
It ran thus: "We congratulate the citizens of Wilkesville on the remarkable entertainment which they will have an opportunity of enjoying this evening at the Music Hall.
Fifty cents is the pitiful sum for which our citizens will have it put in their power to hear this wonderful combination of talent. This secures a reserved seat." Philip read this notice with increasing amazement. "What do you think of that, Mr. de Gray?" asked the professor gleefully. "Won't that make Wilkesville open its eyes, eh?" "It has made me open my eyes, professor," said Philip.
"Then I will at once notify the secretary, and he will take steps to advertise the entertainment." Ten dollars was a small sum compared with what Philip had obtained for his evening in Wilkesville, but a week since he would have regarded it as very large for one week's work. He felt that it was for his interest to accept the proposal.
We shall go, see, and conquer!" An hour later Philip and his new partner entered Wilkesville. Wilkesville was an inland city, of from fifteen to twenty thousand inhabitants.
The squire determined to seek an interview with our hero as soon as the entertainment was over. Philip played with excellent effect, and his efforts were received with as much favor at Knoxville as at Wilkesville. He was twice encored, and at the end of each of his selections he was greeted with applause. As for Professor Riccabocca, people hardly knew what to make of him.
"I don't understand you," said Riccabocca nervously; but it was evident, from his expression, that he did. "Then you seem very forgetful," said Philip. "You tried to deprive me of my share of the proceeds of the entertainment at Wilkesville, and would have succeeded but for a lucky accident." "I told you that it was all owing to neuralgia," said Professor Riccabocca.
"It seems to me," he continued, "that Riccabocca made a great mistake in running off with that money." "He thought it would be safe to cheat a boy." "Yes; but admitting all that, you two were likely to make money. In Wilkesville your profits were a hundred dollars in one evening. Half of that belonged to the professor, at any rate.
On the evening of the next day Philip and the professor entered the hall engaged for the entertainment, and took seats on the platform. The hall was well filled, the scale of prices being the same as at Wilkesville. "Mr. Gray," whispered the secretary joyfully, "it is a great success! After paying all bills the club will clear fifty dollars." "I am delighted to hear it," said Philip.
"Yet you wanted to sell my violin for a good deal less than I have earned in one evening," said Philip, enjoying his enemy's surprise. "You gave an entertainment at Wilkesville also, I hear?" "Yes, sir." "Did you make as much there?" "I made between sixty and seventy dollars over and above expenses." "You don't expect me to believe that!" said the squire.
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