"By reading and observation." "Nonsense! You might as well talk about learning to swing on a trapeze by reading and observation." "There's a big difference, sir." "Not much." "Well, I've always thought I should like to do work of that sort, and I think I could do it well." "Stage-struck, eh?" "Not a bit of it, Mr. Wattles. Now, will you listen to me a few moments, sir?" "Go ahead." And the manager assumed an air of resignation. "I generally keep my eyes open," began the boy, "and I have had a chance to watch the movements of most of the theatrical people who come to this town, particularly the advance agents." "Why the advance agents in particular?" interrupted Mr. Wattles. "Because I have been in the editorial office of the Boomville _Herald_, and have had a chance to see how they work the press. Some of them are very slick, but I think that if I had a little experience I should be as slick as any of them." "Ah," said the manager, "that's the point. You haven't had experience." "Well, I've got to begin some time, sir. If all managers had talked like you the race of advance agents would have been extinct long ago." "There's something in that," laughed Mr. Wattles. "There's lots in it." The manager of the New York Comedy Company surveyed his companion for a few moments without speaking. "My boy, I rather like you," he said, at last. "Well, that's one point in my favor, sir," said Al. "I'd like to give you a chance, but I really do not see how I can." "Why can't you?" "You must remember that the New York Comedy Company is not a common, fly-by-night organization, but a first-class enterprise. I have put a good many dollars into the thing, and I can't afford to experiment. If so much did not depend upon the result, if I were running a cheap side show, I might give you the trial you ask, but----" "I wouldn't have anything to do with any such show," interrupted the boy. "I don't intend to be that sort of advance agent. But I can understand how you feel, sir." "Then you can also understand how impossible it is for me to engage your services." "Oh, no, I can't understand that at all, Mr. Wattles. Now let me ask you a question." "What is it?" "I heard you tell Mr. Perley that you did not expect there would be four hundred dollars in the house to-night." "That's what I said. I shall be agreeably disappointed if there is as much as that." "Yet the opera house will hold twelve hundred dollars." "I see you are posted, my boy." "I am. Now, Mr. Wattles, it is a little out of the line of an advance agent's work, but, just to show you that I have a little snap and business ability, I will guarantee to fill the opera house to its utmost capacity to-night, if you will agree to give me a chance as advance agent after that." "Do you know what you are talking about?" And the manager stared in renewed amazement at the youth. "I do."