nd where so many rumors were flying
around, exaggeration as to the size, furnishing, and general
appearance of the place could not be prevented. Some thought that an
army of carpenters had been at work fitting up and decorating the
whole theatre; others had it that it was upon the stage only that much
labor had been expended, and that that portion of the theatre was more
beautiful than any other that could be found in the city.

The more imaginative paid no attention to mere detail, but circulated
the most startling rumors as to the excessive amount of brain-work
Mopsey Dowd was doing on the new play, which was to be his
masterpiece, and to far surpass anything Buffalo Bill or
Sixteen-string Jack ever wrote.

Since Mopsey was found at his place of business with the same
regularity as before this gigantic scheme was planned, some of his
admirers insisted that he worked nights, spending the time when he
should have been asleep in bringing forth the most startling and
blood-curdling scenes, to be given with all their attendant horrors on
the night of the opening of the theatre.

With all these things to give an impetus to the sale of tickets, it
was little wonder that they were disposed of readily. When night came,
all had been sold save those which Ben and Dickey had, and the demand
was still very great.

Each member of the company was quite as much excited when they went
home that night as if the performance was to be given then, for the
rehearsal was to be held, and all had their parts to learn.

Ben and Dickey had worked faithfully, and performed all that had been
given them to do. The curtain was hung, a little awkwardly, to be
sure, on account of the uneven manner in which the stage was built;
but there it was, whether straight or crooked, where all the beauty
of its many-colored illustrations could be seen if the candles were
held near enough to it.

When called upon to hoist and lower it, Ben and Dickey showed evident
signs of nervousness; but they succeeded, after some considerable
time, in getting it up and down without tearing it, although it was
plain to be seen that they were relieved when it was up for the second
time, and Mopsey had ordered it left there.

The foot-lights had been arranged by nailing narrow strips of board on
the under side of the stage, and allowing them to project about six
inches beyond where the curtain would come when it was lowered. On
these strips the bottles, some large and