's pretty broad. S'posin' I impersonate a steam calliope in a
circus?"
"Impersonate, Judd! Great snakes, don't try to impersonate one of
those things! The distortion would be so stupendous that you'd never
look the same again!"
"I reckon I'll imitate one, then," responded Judd, raising the mouth
organ to his lips.
The moment he started playing, a hush came over the bunch. The
imitation was so perfect that every fellow could imagine again the tail
end of a gaudy circus parade and the steaming calliope.
When Judd finished he was greeted with a round of applause. Cries of,
"More! More!" came from every throat.
Judd seemed to catch the spirit of it all and to forget his
embarrassment. He began to play simple home melodies and popular songs
which gripped at the heart strings of every fellow present. Several
times the fellows started in and sang while Judd furnished the
accompaniments. At last, Judd, thinking that he had played long
enough, struck up the tune, "Good-night, ladies." The fellows took the
hint and departed, promising to come again and thanking Judd for his
entertainment.
"Well, Judd," said Cateye, quietly, "I'm proud of you tonight. You
made some hit with the bunch!"
"Did I?"
"I should say you did! I'd give anything to have the guys rave over me
like they did over you and your playing."
"Honest?"
"Sure thing! How did you ever learn to play the mouth organ so well?
I never imagined that instrument could produce such pretty music!"
"I can't remember when I learned. Seems as if I always knew how,"
replied Judd, mightily pleased.
"Your popularity is assured now!" went on Cateye, "You'll have a crowd
in here every night."
"Not much!" sniffed Judd, "I'm no orchestra. They'll be lucky if they
hear another note for a week!"
"Well, let's go to bed," yawned Cateye, sleepily, breaking off
conversation. "I don't know when I've been so tired. For heaven's
sake don't snore to-night! I want to snooze."
"Trust me, pal," grinned Judd, "I'm not due to snore for two nights
yet. You must remember, I'm runnin' on a fixed schedule."
Long after Judd's steady breathing could be heard Cateye lay awake,
thinking. He had tried to go to sleep at first but found sleep, for a
time at least, impossible.
"Good old Judd," Cateye mused to himself, "I'm getting so I like you
better every day. You may be awkward; you may be a rube as they say;
but you're a great scout just the same. Bo
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