The daily Alaskan., 1909-06-24
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By ELIZABETH FOX.

Edgar Trask was born with gift. It was not the gift of money making, but the gift of producing that which if properly handled may lead to such desirable result. No; Mir. Trask was not directly a money maker. He was a playwright and had produced some pretty good plays, but he had no busi- ness instincts that would lead him to get out what there was In them. He had sold several of them without hay ing made q written contract. The profits on them had been considerable, but they never got into the authors pockets. Then he sold couple more for which he made contracts, but did not think to examine his copy of them. One the purchaser hadn't signed; the other was so drawn that the author was easily beaten out of his royalty He hadn't even business sense or en- ergy enough to get out of the clutches of the manager to whom he had made all these so called sales.
 One morning Ee was sitting In his study when the card of this manager Mir. Relnhart. came up to him. MT. Reinhart. a red faced, portly man with puffy cheeks. beetling brows and biz diamond in his shirt bosom, was ad- mitted.
 "TraSk," he said brusQuely, there's something wrong. For five years you have been pestering me with your plays. which have put on the boards to get rid of you-mostly at loss. The last l brought out, "rhe Mask,' did well enough to give you little reputation, and looked forward to making up some of my losses. That was a year ago, since when you nave not been near me. I've heard you're ready with another play and are go- Ing to take 1t to some one else. All have to say is that if this is true I'll sue you for past losses, which can recover"
 Good gracIous| exclaimed Trask. How"
 "The contracts. Do you suppose I've been In this business twenty years not to know how to draw one?'
 "Salliew called Trask in high key ed. drawlinG voice.
 A lady entered whom Trask intro duccd as his wife. She's sort or business manager for me now" he said. "Shell talk to you.'
 "I didn't know that you had mar rlcd." said the manager, surprised.
 "Yes, I've married" said Trask, with the same drawl. "Sallic, sit down there and talk to Mir. Reinhart. I'm struggling with third act. But be- fore you begin I want to say to you that my tobacco Is all gone"
 Mrs. Trask went to a drawer, took out portemonnaie and said, How much, Edgar|
 "Oh, quarter II do."
 She gave him a quarter and watched him to see that he put 1t In his pocket, then turned to MT. Relnhart.
 What can I do for you"
 q was just saying to your husband that the ungrateful course he Is pur- suing
 "I heard that. The door between this and my room was open when you said 1t. What Is It you wish?'
 Well, I want to keep up my friend ly relations with Trask. I've really brought him out. I want to make a contract with him for the new play"
 At what royalty?'
 "Oh, I'll do very well by him. Of course there are losses to make up on those I've already produced. I'll give him $500 down and $50 a perform ance."
 "Why do you make so liberal an offer considering your past losses"
 "Oh. friendship. want to encour- age him."
 You must have heard something"
 What is there to hear" He col ored slightly.
 MT. Trask has sold play since he parted with you. It was produced last night for the first time. l, aided by lawyer. made the contract for It."
 You? Where was 1t trled?' stam- mercd Reinhart.
 Not in America. We have just had n cablegram announcing . very re- markable hit"
 You don't mean It," trying to ap- pear surprised.
 "So we expect q pretty good price for the next, which Is nearly ready"
 "Uow much"
 "Three thousand dollars down and $500 for each performance"
 "I accept your offer"
 Excuse me; 1t Is not an offer to you. Mir. Trask will sell no more plays to you."
 "Sallie," groaned Trask, q think you are treating me very mean. This foun- tain pen is worn out. Why don't you give me some money to tuy anotherT
 Because you haven't asked me, dear. I'll remember to give 1t to you before you go downstairs tomorrow"
 And 10 cents for car fareT
 "I'll see to It."
 Meanwhile Mir. Reinhart was think ing of the bluff he had made. "Very