“Yes, it was so bright I thought it was a fire,” echoed a companion.
It was arranged that the three chums should visit their home town next morning. Jolly was left in charge of the playhouse and told them to have a good time and throw all care from their minds, as he would be able to complete all the arrangements for the opening Monday night.
The boys had a splendid time at Fairlands. They were highly elated over their business progress in the new venture and infused their families and friends with their own enthusiasm and delight. The Fairlands weekly paper printed a nice article about “Three Rising Young Business Men of Our Town,” and altogether as they took the train to return to Seaside Park each one of the trio felt that life was worth living and honorable business success a boon well worth striving for.
“And now for the grandest event of our life,” announced Pep, buoyantly—“the Opening Night!”
CHAPTER XIV—“THE GREAT UNKNOWN”
Pep Smith was up before the birds that memorable opening day. Pep had gone through a like experience when the Wonderland motion picture show was started at his home town, but that was a small proposition compared to the present one. To Pep’s way of thinking the world was waiting for the great event. In his active mind he pictured eager hundreds counting the slow hours of the day until the first films were flashed upon the screen of the new photo playhouse.
Pep bustled about, broke into whistling and stirred things up so generally that he finally woke Ben Jolly. The latter was quite as interested as Pep in the doings of the day, only he concealed the true state of his feelings. He set about making preparations for breakfast as an excuse for rousing Frank and Randy.
“Well, Pep, this is the big day of our lives; eh?” propounded the good-natured cook, while his accommodating assistant was setting the table.
“And the finest ever seen,” replied Pep. “I never saw such a daybreak. It’s going to be just warm enough to make people want to stay out for the evening breeze, and that means crowds passing our place until late.”
It was a jolly quartette that sat down at the table about five o’clock. The rest over Sunday had done them all good. No details had been left to chance or haste. Much satisfaction was felt in the knowledge that all the work thus far had been done well, with no loose ends to bother about when the programme began.