arrangements for costumes, and
an exciting discussion began at once, during which Mrs. Green was
called upon to see what she could do towards fitting the party out.
Mopsey proposed that a further assessment of twenty-five cents be made
upon each of the company, and announced that, prosperous as business
was just then, he had decided to shut up shop the next day, in order
to give his whole attention to the important work of preparation.
Dickey volunteered to sacrifice his business also, in order to aid
him, and it was believed that with the funds just raised these two
could buy and hire weapons enough to arm the entire party.

Mrs. Green had several things which it was thought could be used with
good effect, and all hands went to work making wooden swords, in case
there should be any trouble in finding the real articles. Nelly made
more tickets, so that all who were anxious to witness the performance
might at least have one, and Paul was given charge of the money that
had been received thus far; for all were anxious to see the entire
receipts of that night's performance in one unbroken whole, even if it
was necessary to advance funds from each individual pocket in order to
make the necessary purchases. And during the remainder of that evening
Mopsey rehearsed the different members of the combination separately,
until he was convinced that they could carry out their respective
_roles_ perfectly.

CHAPTER IX.

THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.

However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to
the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful
Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular
business. At least half their time that day was spent in answering the
questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased
their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could
not sell papers or blacken boots. Therefore, when they stopped work at
five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to
have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents
apiece. They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for
nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the
theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate
business were entirely lost sight of. There was every prospect that
they would have a large audience, and when they went to Mrs. Green's
they congratulated themselves