“Come on in and I’ll treat you to a soda,” he proposed generously, for he decided that he had obtained a bargain, and could afford to treat.
“Going to the show?” asked Tom, as the two came out of the drug store.
“Sure. That’s what I sold the glove for.”
“What’s the matter? Don’t your dad send you any money?”
“Yes, he left some for me, but it’s like pulling teeth to get it from old Klopper. He wouldn’t give me even fifty cents to-night, and he sent me to my room. But I sneaked out, and I’m going to have some fun.”
“That’s the way to talk! He’s a regular hard-shell, ain’t he?”
“I should say yes! But come on, or maybe we won’t get a good seat.”
“Oh, I got my ticket,” replied Tom. “Besides, I want to take this glove home. I’ll see you there.”
Jack hastened to the town auditorium, where, occasionally, traveling theatrical shows played a one-night stand. There was quite a throng in front of the box office, and Jack was afraid he would not get a seat, but he managed to secure one well down in front.
The auditorium began to fill up rapidly. Jack saw many of his chums, and nodded to them. Then he began to study the program. An announcement on it caught his eye. It was to the effect that during the entertainment a chance would be given to any amateur performers in the audience to come upon the stage, and show what they could do in the way of singing, dancing or in other lines of public entertaining. Prizes would be given for the best act, it was stated; five dollars for the first, three for the second, and one for the third.