The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-02-12
prunes. T believed it, but kept still

pruneS. l DelleVed 1t, DuI kept StIil
until 1 could spring surprise on YOU
EI see. And now you are ready to
spring one?"
Il am. Today a theatrical manager
who had somehow heard Of my play
called at the office and asked for the
privilege of glancing over it. In just
twenty minutes by the watch he an
nounced that it was a corker. In
twenty-one minutes he announced that
it would create the sensation of the
season. A minute later he said sthat
he must have it at any price. You
had. condemned the play. You had
torn it to tatters, and yet here was a
manager of thirty years experience
who said that it was play to make
me rich and famous. You can thus
see what your criticisms amounted
to-"
"And what are you going to do?"
asked Mrs. Bowser.
"What any man with brains would
DO under the circumstances. The play
Is going out on the road at once. We
shall give the order for the scenery
and the Autographs tomorrow. He Is
going to try and engage Lillian Rus
sell for the star part. She has to be
chucked into the empty prune barrel
in the third act, but he says she won't
mind the chucking if she's getting $500
per. He will be here within an hour
to talk over final details, and If you
have anything to say you can say it
now"
saThen want to say that the man
ager is probably making fool OF
you"
"W-h-a-t! exclaimed Mr.. Bowser,
jumping from his chair.
.sThat manager has taken you for a
soft mark"
''Mrs. Bowser, do you realize what
you are saying? Have you the least
idea who you are talking to-"
Jeered at His Play.
ct don't want to hurt your feelings,
but I must say again that it was a
poor play. In fact, it was no play at
all. You might try for million years
and not find any reputable manager to
read more than page Of the manu-
script. Now, then, for heavens sake,
don't let somebody make a fool Of
you. He simply wants to get some
money out Of you. He's coming here
this evening to ask you to back the
play. If you do, you will lose every
dollar you put into it."
"And this to me-to mew gasped Mr..
Bowser as be stared at her and wink
ed his eyes. ''You are my wife, and
yet you talk that way to me. It's not
a good play. The manager takes me
for fool. He wants to do me up
There was an awful silence lasting
for minute. Just how Mr.. Bowser
would have broken loose and just
what damage he would have Done viii!
never be known. He was drawing a
long breath and getting ready for a
move when the dooroell rang, and he
passed down the hall to admit the
manager. Ten seconds later he had
clapped on his hat and taken the man.
ayers arm, and they were walking up
the street together.
Mr.. Bowser suggested that they sit
down on the steps Of the church and
talk it over.
The manager suggested that they go
to a saloon and talk while slipping
their beer.
They went to saloon.
The manager ordered beer, and the
bartender collected the dime Of Mr..
Bowser as q matter Of course. One
two-three beers. One-two-three
dimes. Then the manager said:
sIts corker. It's a daisy. It's a
play that is going to knock 'em all
silly. It will draw the people by the
million. Two more beers, please. Yes,
Bowser, we have got a gold mine, I
can't understand how you got the
idea"
"Oh, it Just cane to me- was the
modest reply.
ssWell, it will be worth cool million
to YOU Amt you thirsty again? Yes,
sir, cool million. We can't get Lii
liam for the part. She says she can't
bear the smell Of prunes, but there
won't be no trouble IN finding a hun
dred others to take the part. All, two
more beers! All you have to do is to
put $1,000 into the play and it's
"But don't propose to put any thou
sand dollars into it." replied Mr.. Bow
ser.
"You don't? Let's have some more
beer, bartender. Why, if you can't put
in at least $1,000, how do you expect to
get the play out? I've shown my con-
fdence, and now it's for you to show
yours. Say
Mr.. Bowser rose up and walked out
and went home. Mrs. Bowser looked
up inquiringly as he entered the sit
ting room, but he sat down and took
up the evening paper, and it was fully
ten minutes before he observed that all
the weather signs pointed to hard
winter. M. QUAD. |
N1da.-sC Collie Cholera and