"Why, I---- Ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-chew!"
Down into the hat fell more silver dollars, jingling right merrily.
"That is first rate," complimented Frank Merriwell. "You are doing finely, sir. We'll soon have a hat full."
"But where do they come from, that's whut I want to know?"
"Didn't I tell ye!" squealed the now thoroughly aroused little woman, bobbing up again. "I see 'em when they flew aout of your maouth! Don't stop sneezin', Josiah!"
"I'd like to know when I swallered all them silver dollars!" muttered the "hayseed," craning his neck and pulling at his long beard, as he peered into the hat.
The audience literally shouted with laughter. At last, Frank had done something to catch the spectators.
At the back of the theater Manager Burnham was standing, and, for the first time, he rubbed his hands together and smiled, saying to himself:
"The boy is all right! If he keeps this up, he'll hold a good part of the audience. Didn't think he could do it. I am surprised."
"This process of sneezing silver dollars, ladies and gentlemen," smiled the young magician, "is distinctly my own invention. I have applied for a patent, and I shall prosecute all who infringe on my rights. I must protect myself at---- What, again!"
"Ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-che-eew!" sneezed the farmer, and silver dollars literally rained into the hat.
"Keep it up, Josiah--don't stop!" urged his wife, from her seat in the front row.
"Gol darned if I don't!" gasped Josiah. "It's a regl'er snap to see 'em fly inter the hat. Ker-chew! ker-chew!"
"We'll soon have the hat filled, sir," declared Frank.
"Of course you will be willing to divide with me, as you could not produce the money without my aid."
"Waal," said the farmer, slowly and reluctantly, "I s'pose I'll have to let ye hev part of it--say ten per cent."
Of course this was amusing to the audience.
"That is not at all satisfactory," said Frank, with a show of disappointment.
"But the money's mine, fer I sneezed it."
"Waal, I---- Ker-chew! ker-chew! ker-chew!"
"Say!" shouted the farmer, excitedly; "whut's happened? Why didn't any come then?"
"If I am to receive but ten per cent., I have decided not to assist you in producing any more," said Frank, grimly.
"Give him twenty, Josiah--give him twenty!" fluttered the farmer's wife from her seat, again waving the umbrella. "Yeou'd better do it! Yeou'll be makin' a big thing at that."