f selling newspapers,
and although he had not overcome the feeling of homesickness which
would creep over him every night, he was becoming more reconciled to
his lot, because each day's work seemed to bring him nearer to the
attainment of his object.

Ben and Johnny had forgotten their plan of writing a letter to some of
Paul's friends, or of proposing that he should do it, because of the
great scheme of the theatre; and if either of them thought of it after
it had first been spoken of, it was only as a useless labor, since, as
soon as their place of amusement was open, they would all have money
enough to go anywhere they wanted to.

Business had been as good as they could have expected. Of course they
did not have such a rush as they had been favored with during the
first two days that Paul was in partnership with them, because the
news was not so exciting; but they did so well that their board was
paid for a week before they had been at Mrs. Green's four days, and
they had begun to think of adding to the theatrical fund.

Ben had heard of a small lot of timber which could be purchased for
one dollar and a half, and Johnny insisted that each member of the
firm be called upon for an addition of forty cents to his regular
investment, which demand was promptly met. In four days the work on
the scenery had advanced so well that Johnny felt sure enough papers
had been pasted together, at least until after the stage had been
built, and the timber was purchased and carried into the attic at
once. It was no slight work to build the stage to their satisfaction,
and the four labored hard two entire evenings before it was completed.
But when it was up, they were fully repaid for all they had done, so
thoroughly business-like did it look, and such a theatrical appearance
it gave to the attic.

To be sure, one end was a few inches higher than the other, and there
were not boards enough to floor the space completely over; but the
first defect could and would be remedied by the scenery, and the
second could be gotten over by a little extra care when they walked.
Besides, Mopsey was not just certain but that those very holes could
be utilized by him in his construction of the play for some very
startling and novel effects.

The painting of the scenery was an artistic bit of work, which Johnny
was certain he and Nelly, with perhaps some trifling assistance from
Paul, could do in such a manner as would delight their patrons and
c