Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-02-16
\ TRIUMPH OF COLLABORATION
Two Authors Who Will Seek Immortal
ity Separately.

TWO AuthofS VINO VIII Seek Immortal
ity Separately.
The really great advantage in cola
boration," said Brown, peering at me
through his spectacles, lis that it en-
ables each man to test his work. His
partner represents the public for him"
Just So l cried.
What pleaSes his partner will please
the public. And what doesn't he can
at once discard That must be our
principle
You're right" said l. we must
be sensitive. If you think what 1
write no goou-out it goes
And if you think what l write not
effective-wc drop it. In that way
only the cream of both our minds will
remain
Brown" said l. I'VE shall be magni-
ticent. Your quiet fun-yotl know
it's wonderful"
and your rollicking humol," said
Brown.
"And your eye for Il ludicrous situa-
ton
ooh, it will be the greatest farce
ever seen! Let's start off at once"
We arranged to start at once. The
plot was ready. 1t was very simple.
being concerned mainly with the adj
ventures Of country vicar. who. by
a train of ingenious circumstances. is
forced to pass himself off rs an emf
nent bookmaker. The bookmaker is
secretly engaged to the niece of the
wears wife. and has. in order to re-
commend himself to the young lady's
father, pretended to be conservative
member of parliament The conServa-
tive member of parliament's wife OBJ
iects TO his attending the races, and.
in order to escape her scrutiny. he
goes to the Derby attired as Il book
maker. OF course, the real bOokmaker
comes as the member of parliament
and the vicar-however, that's enough
to show you the outline of the piece
A fortnight later Brown and l met
again. We had each made q draft of
the first act.
"Well, how does it go?' asked Brown.
Ripping" said |. 81 think you'll
laugh at some of my IDEAS
Cad, ana mine runs capitally,' said
Brown. will you read yours?'
mo, no, you fire ahead" said I,
lighting my pipe.
Brown began to read. He cmuckled
very much at several points; when he
did so I also laughed. When he had
finished he said:
"Now, before we say a word, read
yours"
I read mine as we'll as / could. l
had to stop and laugh several times.
and Brown smiled appreciatively at
Brown lit a cigarette and ! another
pipe. There was silence for Il mo-
ment.
Eyes, yours is very funny" said
Brown presently.
ooh. so is yours
Il we take the best of both" con
tinucd Brown, at will be firSt-rate.
Now, what do you think of mine?"
"My dear Brown said I, " enjoyed
it very much. It's full of your quiet
wit and satire But-er-do you think
it's quite broad enough fun for Il
farce? They want the is dotted for
EN-, you know"
"Ye-es," said Brown, "but we can't
make it all horseplay, can we?'
I'm not sure, you know, that the
audience wouldn't take that speech of
the wears seriously. Oh, of course
l know it's satirical.'
"And don't you think" asked Brown,
chat that business with the blue and
pink umbrella is playing to the gal
lery Just leetle more than we need?'
"Well We'll cut that" said I
thought it went to my heart. "And
that speech. perhaps that had better
eh. Brown"
, IF you think so. old fellow" said
Brown lugubriously.
'Now, look here, I'll knock these two
into one; then I'll send it to you, and
you can knock it about n bit more.
Then We'll finally settle it together"
We pursued that plan throughout
the play; and we worked with the ut
most harmony. Brown was most good
natured when I cut some rather recon-
dfte jokes of his and gave his dialogue
a freer treatment, and I did not COM
plain when Brown felt compelled to
veto some magnificent bits of business
had written in about a showerbath
and a bulldog. (The bulldog was in
the bath, you know, and when the
vicar tried to hide there for fear of
his wife's niece's father-however, you
see the idea.) The gaps left by the ex
cisions we filed up in consultation with
one another.
81 hope I've not been unreasonable.
old chap" said Brown at the end, but
I hate anything like grinning through
horse collar"
ooh, don't mention it. MY dear fell
low" said /. Il only altered your
work where / thought it more appro-
pirate to al nearly said tragedy-a
drama than a farce. Farce has its own
laws, Brown
ssBut it needn't be all romping."
"Of course not. But it must be
comic, first of all"
"Yes, but you wouldn't like mere
buffoonery?'
"Why no. A rich humor."
''Exactly-with some mordant wit
interspersed."
You're right, Brown. Now let's
read it through. Shall I, or will vo"'' ~
ooh, fire away" said Brown, and
lighted cigarette.
I read the first act He did not
smile AT the end he looked UP and
said: