Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/28



T'S a long shout from Arcate to Vermont, the first State to free its slaves; but after Tiberius and I had scuttled up to 'Frisco, with our jeans filled with dross, we only lasted six months. Tib was a wise wizard in the open and could coax the average hyena to eat from his palm. But a 'Frisco theatre-sharp hypnotized us into backing an extravaganza, and in about the same month the sweet girlish grads are buying pink sashes and discovering Italy beyond the Alps we were on the waiting-list of the 'Down-and-Out Club.'

"Then, to polish the climax, the manager bolted with the winter's receipts, ditto the leading skirt, and we were left high and dry with only roses to eat.

"‘He's gone like an idle dream,' sighed Tib, meaning the manager. 'I hope all the box-office change is foney and that the squaw sues him successfully for breach of promise. There's but one thing left, besides our honor, and that's to take a 16