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There wasn't an idle hour for the remainder of the day and the greater part of the next by the company, under Smith's guidance, preparing for the anniversary event in Gotown. There were rehearsals, and rehearsals, and more rehearsals.
Few words were exchanged between Smith and his principal, but few as they were, he was convinced that the visit to Gotown was satisfactory. The trio reached the hotel in time for a substantial supper. That disposed of, and when the dishes were cleared away, Handy began to unburden himself: "I wish to see the members of the company to-night, Smith, and have a talk with them.
"Oh, after Gotown, eh?" and Handy became thoughtful and silent for a moment, and then slowly and deliberately explained: "Oh, after Gotown we are going to lay off for a week and add three or four new members to our company. They are not exactly new, for they were with us before, and are all good, reliable people and are up in the stage business of 'Down on the Old Farm, a rattling good piece."
All the necessary scenery, properties, including a green baize curtain, latest style, will reach Gotown Friday night on special car." Weston opened his eyes and mouth in wonder and exclaimed "What!" McGowan, on the contrary, became serious and asked, "Handy, say, are you kiddin' us?" "I am telling you the truth."
Well, after Daisey's dance will come Señor Collenso's violin solo, selection from Paganini. Then will follow the talented young Gotown lawyer in a dissertation on Shakespeare, and also inform them about the mill between Richard and Richmond. Smith, have you all that down?" "Every word of it."
"Well," said Handy, after casting his eyes meaningly around the stage, "I should say that it is about the size of this one. Perhaps a little deeper." He had, of course, never been inside of the Gotown establishment it being yet unbuilt. "Now, then, I tell you what I'll do. I can help you and you in turn can assist me. I have no attraction here for Saturday night.
Next morning as Handy and his host sat together at breakfast, he explained the arrangement he had entered into with the regular Weston impresario. "The deal wasn't quite closed. I wanted, as I told him, to consult you, my partner in the Gotown proposition.
"You don't mean it, Ed?" said the Weston landlord, somewhat amazed at the suggestion. "Can't be did," said Handy. "Can't, eh?" remarked McGowan, with a smile of contempt on his cheery face. "You don't know Gotown, my friend. Come here," he continued, as he rose from his chair and moved toward the door and motioned his friends to follow. "It is purty dark outside, but no matter about that.
Say, you don't mean to tell me there is one town in the United States that has escaped the showman?" "Yes. Gotown has, an' I'll gamble on it," said the landlord. "Stay! There must be some kind of a rink there?" "No." "No rink." "No." "A museum, then moving-pictures snap?" "No." "Has there been a circus there recently?" "Never had a circus within miles of it." Handy seemed puzzled.
He derived considerable comforting consolation from the reflection that Gotown was virgin soil upon which he was called upon to operate theatrically.
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