a job on the stage easy with that voice o' yourn. I got a frien' in one
o' the comp'nies an' I 'll speak to him about you."

"You ought to git Mr. Thomas to take you to the th'atre some night. He
goes lots."

"Why, yes, what 's the matter with to-morrer night? There 's a good coon
show in town. Out o' sight. Let 's all go."

"I ain't nevah been to nothin' lak dat, an' I don't know," said Mrs.
Hamilton.

"Aw, come, I 'll git the tickets an' we 'll all go. Great singin', you
know. What d' you say?"

The mother hesitated, and Joe filled the breach.

"We 'd all like to go," he said. "Ma, we' ll go if you ain't too tired."

"Tired? Pshaw, you 'll furgit all about your tiredness when Smithkins
gits on the stage. Y' ought to hear him sing, 'I bin huntin' fu' wo'k'!
You 'd die laughing."

Mrs. Hamilton made no further demur, and the matter was closed.

Awhile later the "Rag-time" man came down and gave them a sample of what
they were to hear the next night. Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Jones two-stepped,
and they sent a boy after some more beer. Joe found it a very jolly
evening, but Kit's and the mother's hearts were heavy as they went up to
bed.