The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-29
BUTTED INTO PROSPERITY.
Theatre Doorkeeper Found a Small
Fortune In Tailor Shop.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
FREAKS of fortune are always curious"
said a theatrical manager last week, 'but
one Of the most curious incidents of IN
expected prosperity that I have seen re-
Gently deals with the enormous success
secured In the last season by a man who
didn't know anything about theatrical af-
fairs, yet hasAwon a very substantial
fortune by small speculation In a play.
Managers go around looking for
chances to invest money in new plays, and
usually pick failures, whereas this man.
placing his money on q new thing, found
a winner from the start. And the way
he got the money to invest in the show
Is quite as interesting a story
Five years ago this man was working
as the doorkeeper of theatre, getting a
small salary and barely able to make
both ends meet He had saved up about
$500.
Across the street from the theatre,
which wasn't Broadway, though near
It, was a little cleaning and repairing shop
of poor tailor This Lailors assistant
was smart and progressive young fellow.
who made many friends and was liked
both by the actors and the doorkeeper
lone day the taiior's assistant told the
doorkeeper of a fine chance he had to
start in business for himself But he
needed a little ready money-more money
in fact, than he could raise.
HE asked the doorkeeper to go in
halves with him, backing his business
The doorkeeper thought 1t fairly good
chance, and, anyhow, he liked the young
tailor He put up his 5000 for half H.
terest In the business ard the young
tailor opened shop OF his own right near
the stage door.
Naturally, all the theatrical trade went
to that new shop, and the doorkeeper sent
many of his friends there. Soon it be-
gan TO prosper. The new tailor had ideas
and showed it,
Soon the shop was enlarged because of
the increase in business. Then the tailor
moved from the side street to Twenty
third street. and picked up little more
fashionable trade.
From there to Fifth avenue was but
short step, and the next time the young
tailor moved, 1t was to that fashionable
thoroughfare, where he competed with
some of the oldest shops and most FASH
able tailors in New York And as he made
good clothes at reasonable prices, and
always kept a customer he had once
fitted, the dollars flowed In rapidly
Meanwhile the former doorkeeper drew
down such handsome rake-on from the
profits that he gave up the theatre busi-
ness and bought an automobile.
"A little over year ago the tailor
bought out his partners interest for s25. 600
look around for a good investment Nat
urally he favored theatricals, for he
had seen the money come fast when the
old theatre that had formerly employed
him had boosted of a. success.
ne former business manager Of this
theatre was quite willing to form part
nership with the ex-doorkeeper. and they
united In producing play which had
been turned down by many other man.
ayers. because the author was an obscure
newspaper man.
Most unexpectedly to the other man.
ayers. the play made a hit. and ran for
over forty weeks to a good profit The
play will continue to turn In profits next
season. and the ex-doorkeeper not only
has his principal back, but has cleaned
up such a tidy bit of money that he is
looking around for new plays to pro-
duce.
There's lots Of money to be made in
clothes. but there Is even more to be
made out of a successful play II one can
get In right, as this lucky Speculation has
proved the past season."