New-York tribune., 1907-11-10

walked past the stage manager, straight up to
Blank himself, and drew him aside. The women
followed HIM out OF the tails OF their eyes.
Great goodness exclaimed the soubrette,
bill Oh, they'll have to keep him!'
on walled the ingtnue, would YOU have
thought he would have gwen 1t TO him:
" DO YOU suppose Mr.. Blank could afford to say
he didn't have it demanded the soubrette-"h ne,
with his reputation for money!
The leading woman was silent.
During the rchearSlls that followed the stage
manager fell into the daily habit of shouting
"Putridl' at the efforts of lie Grand Blutiem
lie Grand always smiled bitterly, but huubIy.
Would You Just mind doing it for me- always
have more confidence to Try after l watch Your
When stage manager finds that an actor really
appreciates him, now can he consistently call the
man fool?
Finally rehcarsals drew to an end, and the COM
pdny started upon its Western tour. Before they
had been out a week 1t was discovered that lie
Grand Buttem always had a paper from the last
town that played, and that the paper invariably
contained a most HattcrInG notice of himself. The
Soubrctte, walking down the main street of a town
one day saw the back of shiny gray coat disappear
within the portals of the newspaper office Later,
on entering the hotel, she the same coat,
accompanied by another coat, disappear within
another portal, labeled Bar"
Our heavy man apparently has a friend in
town, she remarked To the hotel clerk as She
asked for her key.
Yes replied the clerk, that's one of the fel-
lows on our paper.
Next day lie Grand showed the company a very
beautiful notice OF his work, which he afterward
mailed to Blank in New York
The week before Christmas the COmpanv did not
play but was left to enjoy life in Joliet, Illinois
lie Grand went up to Chicago, and did not return
until Saturday night. He was reSplendent \ new
winter coat touched his heels. An exceptionally
effective hat crowned his head. \ diamond Of
startling dimensions flashed from his Cravat He
went directly TO the business manager, and with
his intalhble CHEEKY smile drew a folded contract
out of his pocket.
l am awfully sorry to leave Mr.. Blanks man
agement, he announced briskly; but YOU can
See what has been offered me by Chicago firm"
The business manager took the contract and
Jerked 1t open. Boshl This isn't half So good as
the Job YOU We got!' he remarked testify.
L can't agree with YOU, replied lie Grand
beamlngly. There some underSta ndingS for the
future in connection with that contract which make
1t of great value"
We'll, you've got to play Your two weeks and
then don't care when you get outl" retorted the
business manager iratcly.
"Oh, no." contradicted lie Grand gently; Il re-
turn 20 Chicago tonight. have no contract with
Mr.. Blank. Not being of my ability before
rehearsals he did not give me one. Afterward /
dare say it slipped his mind
The business manager blinked. The company
was to move on, and westward, at FIVE next morn
ing He let fall an expression not used on ordinary
occasions
Il tell YOU what I'll do" said lie Grand thought
fully. OF course | should think of my own inter
ests; but L really like you awfuy we'll and the
company is so congenal III agree To let this Chicago
affair slide, as | haven't actually signed it vet if
you will call me worth ten dollars a week more,
lie Grand remained.