“We reached the Grand Hotel at 4:30. I saw one of ‘Mark’s’ lithographs
in the hotel office, with ‘Tickets for Sale Here’ written in blue pencil
on the margin. It seemed dull and dead about the lobby, and also in the
streets. The hotel manager said the Casino, an adjoining hall, was at
our service, free, and the keeper had instructions to seat and to light
it. Dinner time came; we all went down together. It was ‘Mark’s’ first
appearance in a public dining room since we started. He attracted some
attention as he entered and sat down, but nothing especial. After dinner
the news-stand man told me he had not sold a ticket, and no one had
inquired about the lecture. I waited until eight o’clock and then went
to the hall to notify the man that he need not light up as there would
be no audience. The janitor and I chatted until about half-past eight,
and I was about to leave when a man and woman came to the door and asked
for tickets. I was on the point of telling them that there would be no
lecture when I saw a number of people, guests of the hotel, coming. I
suddenly changed my mind and told them: ‘Admission $1; pay the money to
me and walk right in.’ The crowd kept rushing on me, so that I was
obliged to ask everybody who could to please have the exact amount
ready, as I was unable to change large bills without a good deal of
delay. It was after nine o’clock before the rush was over, and I sent a
boy for ‘Mark.’ He expressed his pleasant surprise. I asked him to walk
to the platform and introduce himself, which he did, and I don’t believe
an audience ever had a better time of an hour and a half. ‘Mark’ was
simply immense.
“I counted my money while the ‘show’ was going on and found I had taken
in $398. When about half through, two young men came to the door and
wanted to be admitted for one dollar for the two. I said: ‘No; one
dollar each; I cannot take less.’ They turned to go; then I called them
back and explained that I needed two more dollars to make receipts just
$400, and said:
“‘Now, if you’ll pay a dollar each and complete my pile, you can come in
and enjoy the best end of the performance, and when the ‘show’ is out,
I’ll take you down-stairs and blow you off to twice that amount.’
“They paid the two dollars, and after the crowd had left, I introduced
them to ‘Mark,’ and we all went down to the billiard room, had a good
time until twelve o’clock, and ‘Mark’ and I made two delightful
acquaintances. This has been one of our best days. ‘Mark’ is gaining.
* * * * *
“Saturday, July 20th, Mackinac to Petoskey.
“‘Mark’ is feeling better. He and I left the ladies at the Grand, in
Mackinac, and went to Petoskey on the two o’clock boat and train. The
smoke, from forest fires on both sides of the track, is so thick as to
be almost stifling. There is a good hotel here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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