Harper's Young People, May 23, 1882 / An Illustrated Weekly

UNCLE DANIEL RECEIVING HIS GUESTS.
But the time was passing rapidly, and as there were many persons outside waiting for an opportunity to pay their money to see the various attractions of the show, Mrs. Treat gave the signal for the snake-charmer to begin. The entertainment, the skeleton explained, was given as a mark of respect to their friend Toby Tyler.
This private exhibition lasted about fifteen minutes; and when, at its close, the doors were thrown open to the public, the boys were not at all anxious to leave.
Let them stay as long as they want to, Toby, said the skeleton, indulgently.
The boys were only too glad to avail themselves of this permission, and Toby said to Abner:
I want to see if I can find Ella, an' you stay here till I come back.
I'll keep him right here by me, said Mrs. Treat, and he'll he safe enough.
Remembering how she had served Job Lord, Toby had no fears for the safety of his friend. He went at once, therefore, to deliver the invitation to the last of Aunt Olive's expected guests.
When, after some little time, Toby returned, the boys had satisfied their curiosity so far as the side show was concerned, and all except Abner had left the tent.
That Toby had found Ella was evident, as that young lady herself skipped along by his side in the greatest possible delight at having met her former riding companion; and that she had accepted his invitation to dinner was shown by the scrupulous care with which she was dressed.