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Brave and Bold, Bound to Rise, Risen from the Ranks, Erie Train Boy, Paul, the Peddler, Phil, the Fiddler, Young Acrobat, Etc.
M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY CHICAGO :: NEW YORK
“Where are you goin’, Julius? Where’s yer blackin’ box?” asked Patrick Riley.
“I’ve retired from business,” said Julius.
“Did yer rich uncle die, and leave yer a fortune?”
“No, but he’s goin’ up the river to Sing Sing, for the benefit of his constitushun, and I’m goin’ West fer my health.”
“No, I ain’t, I’m goin’ in a few days, along of Mr. O’Connor, and a lot of other chaps.”
“More’n a hundred miles,” said Julius, whose ideas of geography and distances were rather vague.
“Yes, I do, I’m goin’ on to a farm, or into a store, and grow up respectable.”
“I don’t think I’d like the country,” said Pat, reflectively. “New York’s a bully place. There’s always something goin’ on. I say, did you hear of that murder in Center Street last night?”
“A feller stabbed a cop that was trottin’ him round to the station house for bein’ tight. There’s always something to make it lively here. In the country there ain’t no murders, nor burglaries, nor nothin’,” concluded Pat, rather contemptuously.
“I hope there’s theayters,” said Julius, thoughtfully. “I like to go when there’s a good lively piece.”
“Have you been to our theayter yet, Julius?”
“Yes, me and some of the boys have got up a theayter. We do the pieces and actin’ ourselves.”
“Where is it?” asked Julius, with lively curiosity.
“It’s No. 17 Baxter Street, down in the basement. We call it ‘The Grand Duke’s Oprea House.’ We don’t have to pay no rent. It’s Jim Campara’s place, an’ he’s treasurer, so his father don’t charge nothin’.”
“Tiptop. I say, Julius, yer must come to-night. It’s my benefit.”
“Do you get all the money that’s took in?”
“No, half goes for expenses. I get the rest.”
“Oh, I play nigger parts, and dance the jigs.”
“Five cents admission, and eight cents reserved seats.”
“Yes; we can’t expect to get so much as Tony, ’cause yer know we ain’t purfessional. We’re amatoors.”
“How much do you get for your valuable services, Pat?” asked Julius, laughing.