"Certainly I will. I shall remember your face. If I don't, just remind me of my promise."
As a matter of business, Dean's offer of a free ticket proved a stroke of policy. The boy spread among his comrades a highly colored report of Dean's wonderful performance on the harmonica, and the result was a large attendance of young people in the evening.
When Dean took his place at the door he found himself the object of many wondering and curious glances, and he was at first abashed; but finally, reminding himself that he was among strangers who were disposed to look upon him as a genius, he accommodated himself to the position, and applied himself assiduously to his duties.
The hall in which the entertainment was to take place contained about four hundred people. When eight o'clock struck it was packed, many having come from neighboring towns. The price of admission was thirty-five cents for adults, and twenty-five for children. It was clear, therefore, that the receipts must be considerably over a hundred dollars. The rent of the hall being but ten dollars, this allowed a large margin for profit.
Punctually at eight o'clock the entertainment commenced with a brief introductory speech from Mr. Montgomery.
"Gentlemen and ladies," he said, "it has long been the desire of Mr. Dunham and myself to appear in your beautiful village, and at length our wishes are to be gratified. We shall do our utmost to please you, and if we fail, think that it is our ability and not our will that is lacking. I will commence with a humorous recitation, in the character of an old darky."
He disappeared behind the screen, and emerged in a very short time disguised as a Southern negro.
This impersonation hit the popular taste. It was followed by a song, and then Mr. Montgomery introduced Dean in a highly flattering manner.
Dean appeared with a flushed face, and a momentary feeling of trepidation. Making a bow to the audience, he struck up the favorite melody of the day. He really played very well, the excitement of playing before an audience helping rather than interfering with him, and his performance was greeted with hearty and long continued applause. At Mr. Montgomery's suggestion he gratified the audience with an encore. Among those who applauded loudest was the boy to whom he had given free admission.