“Five dollars. You see, he would have to come six miles.”
“I’ll come for three dollars and my supper and lodging,” said Philip.
“All right! You shall have supper and lodging at our house. There it is, down that lane. Come right along, for supper must be on the table. After supper I’ll go and tell the committee I’ve engaged you.”
Philip’s spirits rose. Help had come from an unexpected quarter. He felt that a new career was opening before him.
CHAPTER XIX.
NEW ACQUAINTANCES.
On his way to the farmhouse, Philip ascertained that his companion’s name was Abner Webb, and that he and his brother Jonas carried on a farm of about a hundred acres. Abner appeared to be about twenty-five years old.
“You seem pretty young to be a fiddler,” said the young man, surveying Philip with a glance of curiosity.
“I am almost sixteen.”
“I am twenty-five, and I can’t play at all.”
“It isn’t all in the age,” returned our hero. “Did you ever try to learn?”