As the society has a hall of its own that is quite large enough to seat all who will come, they decide to use that, inasmuch as it is the most important hall of the town, aside from the opera house.

I might state that many of these societies own the opera halls in the smaller towns, especially in villages of from 800 to 1,800.

Here is the advantage of making arrangements of this kind: There are some 200 members of this lodge. Nearly everyone of them will be there. They are willing to see a very large percentage of their profits go if they are given a good entertainment for their money. They know that they will get enough out of it to help them in their finances. They also know that something of an unusual nature will be readily greeted by the citizens. I will state, in behalf of the lodges of these smaller towns throughout the country, that they are progressive and that they aim to give their villagers something, instead of keeping it all themselves. I am to get "first money," which means that I will get, after the expenses have been deducted, $35.00 and one-quarter of all that is taken in over that. My expenses in that town, including those incurred by my advance man, his salary, advertising and all, will be about $14.00. If we have any house at all, I will make money and be well paid for my time.

Besides these two hundred members, many of them have families and the rest have friends. There should be an audience of four hundred in this town, and the receipts should be over $100.00. Now, I take it for granted that this will be the case. I would as soon have a "first money" contract in these little towns as an out-and-out contract for a stipulated amount. Every member will work and do his best to secure a large house. He has the honor of his lodge at stake somewhat and, besides, the lodge will be getting something for its treasury if its efforts are energetically put forth.

Always play lodges and societies if it is possible. There is money in it. This calls to my mind the actual story of two shows up in Wisconsin. One was an aggregation of colored singers, who played "first money" contracts; the other was a dramatic organization, having a good show for country towns. The vocalists played in towns of 500 and up. I have known of their clearing over $100.00 in a little town that one would not think contained enough people to possibly make up that amount. Their entertainment was of a nature that would be accepted by Sunday schools, church organizations or public schools. In other towns, they have cleared $300.00. And the dramatic organization actually was starved out of the same territory and at a much better time of the year. The one played under "first money" contracts; the other, well, the other just rented the halls and billed the towns. What a vast difference!

This work will fall into the hands of many young and inexperienced gentlemen who aspire to a career of this kind. They may possess exceptional ability in psychic lines and yet, were they to start out without system, they would not make any money. They want to see the country, they want to appear before the public, and back of it all, why try to hide the desire to make money? It is essential to life. Exert your energies in the right direction and you will succeed. There is a "system" to all things. If one succeeds in getting into this system, he will very likely win, if he is of the right caliber. But if he is one of these people who is looking for an easy means of making money and expects to put forth no energies of his own, he is doomed to failure.

The work that will teach a man or a woman a profession must also teach that man or woman the practical side. Some very worthy shows have been starved out of existence simply because they have not gone at matters in the right manner. And, when it is known that one is giving entertainments, be they in the nature of a show or a more refined programme, the people with whom you come in contact financially will always regard you with suspicion. You will find that, if you haven't the money, you cannot make arrangements with a hotel manager. Be cautious. The business side of any scheme is always the paying side. The other side must be worthy if it is to succeed, but the man who counts the cash, writes the checks and balances the books, handles the most important end of the business.

Let it be clearly understood that energy must always be put forth. The efforts of today will bring their harvest days hence. But there must be an unceasing attack on the skirmishing lines of business. Psychology presents an excellent means of entertainment, but there must be some certain means of getting "houses!"

To the inexperienced, I wish to say a word about launching an entertainment: No matter how much you read, no matter how well you are instructed, no man's experience will ever be of real value to you. You have but one teacher in this world and that is Experience! Some are taught their lessons less severely than are others; some learn more readily. But they all have to go through the mill! That is why the aged merchant looks at the young man, hears the boy's theories and shakes his head and says, "My boy, you will find that after you have gone through as many years of experience as I have you will look at things in a different light".

And another point: If a man has succeeded, his life-story is of some value to you; study his methods. But if a man has gone through life and has never made a success in any of his undertakings, pay no attention to his advice. The man who has made the success will tell you his candid opinion in a few words, but he who knows not will lengthen his argument. His wisdom is blind, desert him.

I would say to the young man or old man, young woman or matron, whatever you propose to do in these lines, get all the experience you can at the least possible expense. You will always meet some reverses on the road. There are towns that will cost you something to visit that can not be avoided. That will occur in any part of the country. But if you make money in the majority of towns, you are succeeding.