“It is a lesson in the evolution of towns, these incidents of the pushing out of the frontiers of a great country,” said Irving. “I dare say Denver began its career as a mining-camp.”
“It did; and only a few years ago.”
“And now they tell me it is a beautiful and well-ordered city, with the finest opera-house in all America.”
“That is so; and one day you ought to play there.”
“I hope I may; I would like it very much. By the way, your bill about ‘The Bazoo’ excursion reminds me of two curious placards which the manager of Haverly’s gave me. They tell the story of the fate of a new play that was once produced at his theatre. It was called ‘Hix’s Fix,’ and was a terrible failure. The theatre had been engaged for a short season for ‘Hix’s Fix,’ and the proprietors of it were at their wits’ ends to know what to do. They were not prepared to play any other piece; so they hit upon the expedient of ‘pushing the failure.’ They printed half a million handbills, and circulated them diligently. This is one of them; it reads as follows:—
HAVERLY’S THEATRE.
In obedience to the Unanimous Opinion of the Daily Press
Mestayer & Barton
Seriously think of Changing the name of their Play,
HIX’S FIX, to ROT.
In sober truth, this is about the right thing
☞BUT☜
It is the funniest rot you have ever seen, and stands preeminent
and alone the
Worst Play of the Age.