CHAPTER XVII
AN OLD FRIEND
To Jet the idea of loitering around first one town and then another with no definite plan, unless the simple hope of meeting the man by accident could be called one, was in the highest degree unsatisfactory.
He had embarked on the enterprise, however, and it was now too late for regrets.
In due time the train arrived, and, stepping on board, he was surprised at hearing a familiar voice ask:
"Hello Jet! Have you concluded to join us again?"
It was his old friend the manager of the minstrel company, who appeared to take it for granted Jet had boarded this particular train for no other purpose than that of going into the show business again.
"Where are you playing?" the boy asked without answering the question.
"Nowhere to-night, or I shouldn't be here. We've been having mighty hard luck, and had to lay off to reorganize—— At least that's the best way of putting it. The company is about twenty miles down the road, and we shall play that town to-morrow."
While the manager was speaking, Jet thought to himself that he could attend to his particular business as well, if not better, by traveling with the show a few days than in any other way, and he asked: