"It was a close pull," he thought. "Suppose he had got mad when he
pumped out of me who I was? If Mr. Quigg goes on to the coast, I'll
stick by him. I'm going to get away from that old feud, if I have to
go to Jericho."
As he arrived at this vague geographical decision, he beheld Sam
approaching with a second load. While they were unloading, Mr. Quigg
came up on foot. He soon paid the darky off, then took a survey of
their surroundings.
"This is not a bad stand for a day or two," said he to Ralph. "We'll
put up the tent first; then, while I fix up things inside, you can go
about and stick up some posters. I'll put a few ads. in the newspapers
and, there you are--see?"
Ralph did not see except dimly, yet he assented readily and began to
feel quite an interest in his new occupation already.
The tent was soon stretched and the large skylight adjusted. Some of
the idlers who are always present at any outdoor proceedings in town,
lent a hand now and then, being rewarded with a few nickels by the
artist.
"Now, Ralph," said Mr. Quigg, after the trunks and other movables had
been taken inside, "do you know what a poster is?"
Without waiting for a reply, he lifted from a chest a pile of gaily
colored placards describing in florid style and with gorgeous
illustrations, the unrivaled perfections of Lemuel Quigg as an artist,
the cheapness of his prices, &c., &c.
"What do you think of these?" asked Quigg holding up one of the
largest.
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