JAiL STABED A
     man WiTH A
     PiTCHFORK
     Sherman the WiLD animal
     captured iN AFRiCA
     Herman the one FiNGERED TATOOD
     wild man Verman the savage TATOOD
     wild BoY talks only iN HiS NAiTiVE
     LANGUAGS.  Do NoT fail to see Duke
     the INDiAN dog also the MiCHiGAN
     TRAiNED rats

A heated argument took place between Sam and Penrod, the point at issue being settled, finally, by the drawing of straws; whereupon Penrod, with pardonable self-importance—­in the presence of an audience now increased to nine—­slowly painted the words inspired by the dachshund: 

     IMPoRTENT Do NoT miss the SoUTH
     AMERiCAN DoG part alligator.

CHAPTER XVI THE NEW STAR

Sam, Penrod, Herman, and Verman withdrew in considerable state from non-paying view, and, repairing to the hay-loft, declared the exhibition open to the public.  Oral proclamation was made by Sam, and then the loitering multitude was enticed by the seductive strains of a band; the two partners performing upon combs and paper, Herman and Verman upon tin pans with sticks.

The effect was immediate.  Visitors appeared upon the stairway and sought admission.  Herman and Verman took position among the exhibits, near the wall; Sam stood at the entrance, officiating as barker and ticket-seller; while Penrod, with debonair suavity, acted as curator, master of ceremonies, and lecturer.  He greeted the first to enter with a courtly bow.  They consisted of Miss Rennsdale and her nursery governess, and they paid spot cash for their admission.

“Walk in, lay-deeze, walk right in—­pray do not obstruck the passageway,” said Penrod, in a remarkable voice.  “Pray be seated; there is room for each and all.”

Miss Rennsdale and governess were followed by Mr. Georgie Bassett and baby sister (which proves the perfection of Georgie’s character) and six or seven other neighbourhood children—­a most satisfactory audience, although, subsequent to Miss Rennsdale and governess, admission was wholly by pin.

“Gen-til-mun and lay-deeze,” shouted Penrod, “I will first call your at-tain-shon to our genuine South American dog, part alligator!” He pointed to the dachshund, and added, in his ordinary tone, “That’s him.”  Straightway reassuming the character of showman, he bellowed:  “Next, you see Duke, the genuine, full-blooded Indian dog from the far Western Plains and Rocky Mountains.  Next, the trained Michigan rats, captured way up there, and trained to jump and run all around the box at the—­at the—­at the slightest pre-text!” He paused, partly to take breath and partly to enjoy his own surprised discovery that this phrase was in his vocabulary.