"No, sir; I shall never have anything more to do with you."
"Perhaps you'll think better of that. You haven't had time to fill my place yet."
"I've got a better man for your place than you ever were," said the manager.
"Who is he?" demanded Farley.
"There he stands;" and Mr. Wattles pointed to Al.
"That kid?" gasped Farley.
"That young gentleman," said the manager, with theatrical impressiveness.
Farley stared at the boy a few moments without speaking; then, with a peculiar smile, he said:
"So you are an advance agent, are you, bub?"
"So it seems," replied Al, as coolly as he could.