RESPECTED SIR: I take my pen in hand to acquaint you with the
effect your show had on our people. It is the opinion of all who
take interest in actors and should know, that your show was
better than George F. Bailey's and it was considered the best we
ever had. Brownsville people are hard to please. They see so
much it must be choice if it suits them. Your circus suited all.
I have heard many actors declare Brownsville was the hardest
town to please they ever tackled. An English sleight of hand man
played Jeffries Hall three nights. He said they were a "bit
thick." Alf Burnett, the humorist, compared Brownsville to slush
ice. Bob Stickney was the best one in your show.
Now comes the news that I hate to tell (and this was the sole
reason that prompted the letter). Your after-concert is a bad
recommend for your real show. I reckon one thing that made it
appear worse is we have a regular minstrel show on hand all the
time. I'm at the head of it, and most of the people in town know
our jokes and songs by heart and when your concert people told
them they did not tell them right and our people noticed the
mistakes, and of course you couldn't expect them to laugh at the
jokes anyway.
Now you promised to write me. If you can do so, I can go to your
show most any time providing you do not get too far away from
Brownsville. Please send me where you're going to list. I am
sure I can make a heap of improvement in your concert and I know
you do not want people anywhere to call you an old fraud as they
have done here.
Your most obedient servant,
ALFRED GRIFFITH HATFIELD.
P. S. Please let me know what you can afford to pay a prime
concert actor. Between times I can help out in the circus ring
if you have clothes fit to do it in.
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