ick-paved school yard, on the walk, and in the street
gutters, were scattered oblongs of blue paper as he scampered from the
deserted building at noon. The boy picked one of the handbills up and
read with an odd thrill:

Professor T. J. O'Reilley's

PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW

_in_

Three Stupendous, Sidesplitting Parts

_at_

NEIGHBORHOOD HALL,

_Monday, October 4, at 4:15 p.m._

I

Punch and Judy. The old favorite as played before the Crowned Heads
of Europe. All the well-known characters, with added mirth
provoking innovations. Alone worth the price of admission.

II

Peck's Bad Boy and His Pal. Startling, amusing, and instructive
exhibition of ventriloquism by that amazing expert, Professor T. J.
O'Reilley. Hear the Bad Boy and his friend talk and joke as if they
were really alive. During this act Professor O'Reilley uses one of
his marvelous ventriloquial whistles and will explain its operation
to the audience.

III

Motion Pictures. Actual figures thrown on the screen that do
everything but talk. Thrilling display of the heroism of American
Soldiers during the Spanish-American War! See the landing of the
Regulars under fire! See men fall in actual battle before your very
eyes! Watch the charge up San Juan Hill--the thrilling infantry
skirmish!

_Followed by_

A Grand Distribution of Valuable Prizes! Glistening Ice Skates.
Rings, Dolls, Doll Carriages, and other Toys. In addition, every
man, woman, and child in the audience who does not win a gift, will
receive _absolutely free_, one of Professor O'Reilley's marvelous
ventriloquial whistles.

TWO HOURS OF AMUSING
AND INSTRUCTIVE ENTERTAINMENT!

_Admission only ten cents!_

Could he go? Of course, for the necessary dime was always forthcoming
from his mother when an itinerant showman rented the corner dance hall
for a one day performance.

On the corner of Southern Avenue, he overtook Bill, who had stopped to
play tops with an acquaintance.

"Going?" he asked, as his chum glanced at the blue slip in his hand.

"Bet your life," said Silvey decidedly. "Did you see the rings the man
showed in the school yard?"

John reminded him of the fifteen minute detention. "Were they pretty?"

"Pretty? They were just peaches--all gold and stones, and sparkled like
everything."