necessary arrangements. I have
hired the hall for to-morrow evening--five dollars--ordered some tickets
and posters at the printing-office, and secured a first-class notice
in to-morrow morning's paper. Everybody in Wilkesville will know before
to-morrow night that they will have the opportunity of attending a
first-class performance at the Music Hall."

"It seems to me the necessary expenses are considerable," said Philip
uneasily.

"Of course they are; but what does that matter?"

"What is to be the price of tickets?"

"General admission, twenty-five cents; reserved seats, fifty cents, and
children under twelve, fifteen cents. How does that strike you!"

"Will anyone be willing to pay fifty cents to hear us?" asked Philip.

"Fifty cents! It will be richly worth a dollar!" said the professor
loftily.

"I suppose he knows best," thought Philip. "I hope all will come out
right. If it does we can try the combination in other places."

CHAPTER XXVII. UNEXPECTED HONORS.

The next morning at breakfast, Professor Riccabocca handed Philip a
copy of the Wilkesville Daily Bulletin. Pointing to a paragraph on the
editorial page, he said, in a tone of pride and satisfaction:

"Read that, Mr. de Gray."

It ran thus:

"We congratulate the citizens of Wilkesville on the remarkable
entertainment which they will have an opportunity of enjoying this
evening at the Music Hall. Professor Lorenzo Riccabocca, whose fame as
an elocutionist and dramatic reader has made his name a household word
throughout Europe and America, will give some of his choice recitals and
personations, assisted by Philip de Gray, the wonderful boy-musician,
whose talent as a violin-player has been greeted with rapturous applause
in all parts of the United States. It is universally acknowledged
that no one of his age has ever equaled him. He, as well as Professor
Riccabocca, will give but a limited series of entertainments in this
country, having received flattering inducements to cross the Atlantic,
and appear professionally in London, Paris, and the chief cities of the
Continent. Fifty cents is the pitiful sum for which our citizens will
have it put in their power to hear this wonderful combination of talent.
This secures a reserved seat."

Philip read this notice with increasing amazement.

"What do you think of that, Mr. de Gray?" asked the professor gleefully.
"Won't that make Wilkesville open its eyes, eh?"

"It has made me open my e