Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-11


Danela and June still drinking and barking back to
old scenes and bits of business which could be used
effectively IN the new play. 1t was early morning
when the two parted, Jume silent, but Danella
ravng ubilantlyover the sudden turn in his fortunes
The next day at noon Coccaro. Danella and Jumel
met Conway and Henning at the offices of the new
management. The printed contracts, already filled
in, lay on the desk, and Conway, smiling asked
Danea if he would sign first.
The comedian took up the contract and leaning
lesurely against the desk turned to the first page.
1T says here" he said slowly, that this contract
is with the team Coccaro and Danella."
Conway smiled again and nodded.
That" continued Danela in the deliberate
tone, is mistake. The only contract sign is for
two hundred and fifty dollars for the services of
night
Conway turned toward Coccaro and Jumel, but
the two men were looking at Danea in blank amaze
ment. 1t was the clown who broke the silence.
Why Billy, he said very gently, Il don't TN
derstand We've always signed as Coccaro and
Danella. You don't mean surely that" He did
not end the sentence, but put out his hand toward
Danella folded his arms and leaned farther back
against the desk. Yes, that's what l mean" he
sad-'just that For fifteen years I've supported
you. wrote your stuff, every line of it. and taught
you how to hand it to them. For fifteen years
have kept you and your wife alive. Everything
you ate, every stitch of clothes your backs you
owe to me- It was | who got the laughs and lust
because had been kids together was easy and
gave you half the money. Ask Jume there, ask
any stage hand who ever work, how long
over and done with You sign in this
company you go back to doing tricks with
your poodle, Mr.. Coccaro the Clown, and your wife
GO on doing splits and drinking tu1nbers of
water while she's twisted into bow knot; but you
can't sign any more papers as Coccaro and Danella
I'm plain Billy Danella after ths-Bily Danella
Comedian
Henning who had so far been sitting silent in
corner, started forward, but his partner motioned
him back. Conway knew that Danella must be
signed at any price Throughout the long speech
had nLed fairl in he eIyac and
that his old partner had finished, he continued
for some moments to do so still. At last he nodded
as if in acceptance of the arrangement.
''A right Billy" he said" all right, if that's
the way you feel about it." He started to leave the
room, but as he reached the door he turned once
more to his former partner IT 5 long time we've
been together-a long time is fifteen years, Billy"
Danea, with folded arms and drawn lips looked
stolidly at the wall before him.
For moment Coccaro hesitated: 1T seems,
can't do business any longer together. If you
should still want me- Mr.. Jumel knows where L
stop in town. Good day to you all
During the next two days the two men signed
separate contracts; Danella for the he de-
manded, and his former partner for just one-ffth
OF that amount Indeed, if it had not been for the
large heart OF Henning and the strong appeal of
Jume Coccaro would have had to
return to his old place in the circus.
But if the life in town was a little 1 HAarN
easier for the clown and his wife their L sNSAs.5
finances had been scarcely bettered E.AH "
and the goal of their wishes was Just kMH
as far beyond their reach HN
!"
When the production completed ia
and the last dress rehearsas were all EksH g
over, The Mighty Mogul' company, EEi39AfA
hundred strong, boarded special train EsskxAxa
one bright Sunday afternoon in May i&SIk
and crept slowly out of the Grand =
Central Station Its destination was n
small New England town where the \
stage was large and there was plenty -
OF space for the carpenters and stage
hands and electricians to become accustomed to
the material.
Unheralded, unknown. in the presence of a few
New England citizens and half a dozen New York
NJ