it would be the proper thing to let
the town support them for a time.

To the manager the case presented itself in a different aspect.

He had made dates ahead, and if the company failed to keep them, after
having already disappointed the public once, his position would be that
of a veritable bankrupt with whom the owners of the halls would refuse
to transact business.

Therefore it was that he spent considerable time urging his company to
do as he hoped the squire might approve of, and finally, much to Jet's
mental discomfort, he succeeded in extracting a promise from each that
he would agree to go on the stage, and afterward return to the jail.

Then he went to try his powers of persuasion on the squire.

During the afternoon the other member of the party who was at liberty,
reported that the matter had been arranged satisfactorily, and
"dodgers" were now being distributed around the town calling upon the
people to aid in "rescuing from imprisonment a number of gentlemen,
whose exuberance of spirit rather than evil propensities, had plunged
them into sore distress."

More than one of the company predicted that the appeal would be a
signal failure, and Jet earnestly hoped these "exuberant gentlemen"
would prove truthful prophets.

Evening came, and with the shadows of night the constables arrived to
conduct the performers to the hall.

A supper of bread, cold meat, and tea had been served, and, save for
the severe headaches with which the intemperate portion of the party
were suffering, all were in reasonably good spirits.

Both the squire and the manager were at the door to take the money from
the charitably inclined, and the owner of the hall also stood near by
to make certain of receiving his rent from the first cash paid over.

Watching through the peep-hole in the curtain, Jet saw the constable in
whom he was especially interested seated near the stage, and for an
instant he resolved not to appear lest he should be recognized.

A moment's reflection, however, showed him that such a course would
unquestionably arouse suspicion, and he settled the matter by
blackening his face, a disguise which, under the glare of the
footlights, would prove most effective.

The inhabitants of the town did not respond very generously to the
"appeal."

When the curtain rose on the first act, there were hardly more than
enough in the hall to pay the actual running expenses of the evening,
and there was no longer any ho