But at last an editor slapped me on the back and told me to "go ahead." He said, "Take the largest house in town, and charge a dollar a ticket." The audacity of the proposition was charming; it seemed fraught with practical worldly wisdom, however.

The proprietor of the several theatres endorsed the advice, and said I might have his handsome new opera-house at half price -- fifty dollars.

In sheer desperation I took it--on credit, for sufficient reasons.

In three days I did a hundred and fifty dollars' worth of printing and advertising, and was the most distressed and frightened creature on the Pacific coast.

I could not sleep--who could, under such circumstances?
For other people there was facetiousness in the last line of my posters, but to me it was plaintive with a pang when I wrote it: "Doors open at 7 1/2.