"Say!" Dan cried, as a sudden and what seemed like a happy thought came into his mind. "Sam says Jip is in Philadelphy; now, s'posen all hands chipped in enough to buy a ticket for him to go there? He'd never get back, 'cause he don't earn a dollar in a month, an' Jip wouldn't be bothered."
This plan appealed strongly to both Seth and Dan, and the latter asked as to the probable cost of such a scheme.
This was a question neither of the boys could answer, and after some thought Master Dean agreed to make the necessary inquiries without delay.
"Dan an' me will ante up a nickel apiece to get rid of him, an' in case you don't have to pay too much, the other fellers who wouldn't want to see Jip sent to jail ought'er put in the balance."
Master Dean was quite as eager to aid Jip as was Seth, and without waiting to discuss the matter further started off on his errand of mercy.
Then the partners were at liberty to set about the work of the day; but it was now so late that they could not expect to earn very much money.
"We'll come out mighty slim for supper, I'm thinkin'," Dan said grimly. "You've got to knock off in time to meet 'Lish Davis at three o'clock, an' the trade in evenin' papers won't be much more'n begun by then."
"You needn't go up with me if you don't want to—I can meet you after the day's work is over."
"But I do want to go; I wouldn't miss knowin' what the driver has got to say, not if I went without supper an' breakfast too."
"I could tell you all about it."