The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-06-14
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3 His Business 8
9 -. MANAGER :
, 100000 1000 oooc
BY ELIzABETH FOX.


Il was not the gift Of money making
but the gift Of producing that which
II properly handled may lead to such
desirable result No; Mr.. Trask was
not directly a money maker. He was
playwright and had produced some
pretty good plays, but be had no bust.
ness instincts that would lead him to
get out what there was In them. RE
had sold several OF them without hav.
ing made written contract The
profits on them had been considerable.
but they never got into the authors
pockets. Then be sold a 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 50 drawn that the author
was easily beaten out Of his royalty.
lie hadn't even business sense or en-
ergy enough 10 get out Of the clutches
Of the manager to whom he had made
all these 30 called sales.
One morning he was sitting IN his
study when the card OF this manager,
Mr.. Reinhart, came up to him. Mr..
Reinhart. red faced, portly man with
puffy cheeks, beetllng brows and big
diamond in his shirt bosom, was adj
mitted.
"TraslI," he said brusquely, there's
something wrong. For Eve years you
have been Fostering me with your
plays, which / have put on the boards
70 get rid OF you-mostly at a loss.
The last / brought out The Mask,
did well enough to give you a little
reputation, and / looked forward to
making up some Of my losses. That
was a year ago, since when you have
not been near me. I've heard you're
ready with another play and are go
ing to take it to some one else. All
have to say is that il this is true III
sue you for past losses. which ! can
recover"
Good graeiousp exclaimed Trask.
"How?s
1.-THE contracts. DO you suppose I've
been in this business twenty years not
to know how to draw oneg7
"sallieF called Trask IN a high key
ed, drawing voice.
A lady entered whom Trask intro
duced as his wife, shes sort Of
business manager for me now" he
said shell talk TO you"
II didn't know that you had mar
ried, said the manager, surprised.
Eyes. I've married" said Trask. with
the same drawl. "SalIie, sit down
there and talk to Mr.. Reinhart. I'm
struggling with third act. But be-
fore you begin / want to say to you
that my tobacco is all gone"
Mrs. Trask went TO a drawer, took
ont q portemonnaie and said, "How
much, Edgarp
"Oh, quarter II do"
She gave him a quarter and watched
him to see that he put It IN his pocket,
then turned to Mr.. Reinhart
ewhat can l do for your
II was just saying to your husband
that the ungrateful course he Is pur-
suing
Il heard that. The door between
this and my room was open when You
said IT. What is It you wish"
well, want to keep up my friend
" relations with Trask I've really
brought him out | want to make
contract with him for the new play"
AT what royalty4T
"Oh, I'll do very well by him. OF
course there are losses to make up on
those rive already produced. III give
him $500 down and $50 a perform
ances'
"why do you make SO liberal an
bffer considering your past losses19
"Oh. friendship. want 70 encour-
age him"
you must have heard something
'fWhat is there to hear| He col
cred slightly.
"Mr. Trask has sold play since he
parted with you. 1t was produced
last night for the first time. /, aided
by a lawyer. made the contract for IT,
''You? Where was it triedr stam-
mered Reinhart.
'sNot In America We have just had
d cablegram announcing very re-
markable hit"
You don't mean it." trying to APP
pear surprised.
$50 we expect a pretty good price
for the next, which Is nearly ready"
"How muchY
"Three thousand dollars down and
$500 for each performance"
Il accept your Offer
"Excuse me; II is not an offer to
you. Mr. Trask win sell no more plays
TO you"
sSallie," groaned Trask, Il think you
are treating me very mean. This foun-
tain pen Is worn out. Why don't you
give me some money to buy anotherT
Because you haven't asked me, dear.
ri remember to give 1t to you before
you go downstairs tomorrow"
and 10 cents for car fare2"
EN- see to IT."
Meanwhile Mr.. Reinhart was think
ing Of the blur he had made. Very
WELL he said, rising and buttoning his
coat. 'IlI begin suit under my con-
tracts for losses on the back plays"
Il have already ordered suit begun
under those contracts for nonpayment
bf royalties"
Mr. Reinhart paled He bad recently
changed his lawyer. The last one had
discovered a flaw in one contract in.
volving $4,000 He stepped to the
door astonished and troubled. AS he
passed out he heard Trask say to his
wife in his usual drawl.
"SaIlie, I wish you wouldn't give me
xr-