Evening journal., 1909-04-27
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9 His BuSfneSS s
9 80. Manager :
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BY ELIzAeETH FOX,

tCopyright. 1909. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
Edgar Trask was born with a gift.
It 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 n money maker. He was
a playwright and had produced some
pretty good plays, but he had no sIsi-
ness instincts that would lead him 10
get out what there was in them. He
had sold several OF them without hav-
ing made a written contract. The
profits on them had been considerable.
but they never got into the authors
pockets. Then he 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 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 10 whom he had made
all these so called sales.
One morning he was sitting In his
study when the card of this manager,
Mr.. Relnhart. came up 10 him. Mr.,
Reinhart. a red faced portly man with
pufy cheeks. beetling brows and a big
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 l have put on the boards
to get rid Of you-mostly at a loss.
The last brought out, The Mask,
did well enough to give you a little
reputation, and I 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 If this is true III
sue you for past losses. which 1 can
recover"
Good gracious" exclaimed Trasls.
"Howl"
"The contracts. DO you suppose I've
been in this business twenty years not
to know how to draw one?"
"SallieP' called Trask in a high key
ed, drawling voice.
A lady entered whom Trask intro
duced as his wife. "She's a sort of
business manager for me now," he
said. "sheIl talk to you"
Il didn't know that you had mar
ried," said the manager, surprised.
sYes, I've married" said Trask, with
the same drawl. "Sallie. sit down
there and talk to Mr.. Reinhart. I'm
struggling with a third act. But be-
fore you begin 1 want to say to you
that my tobacco Is all gone"
Mrs. Trask went to a drawer, took
out a portemonnaie and said, How
much, EdgarT
"Oh, a quarter II do"
She gave him a quarter and watched
him TO see that he put it In his pocket,
then turned TO Mr.. Relnhart.
"What can do for your
81 was just saying to your husband
that the ungrateful course be 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 q
contract with him for the new play"
at what royaltyf"
"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 lossesY
"Oh, friendship. l want to encour-
age him."
"You must have heard something.'
"What is there to hear?" He col
ored slightly.
"Mr. Trask has sold play since he
parted with you. It was produced
last night for the first time. /, aided
by lawyer. made the contract for it,
"You? Where was it triedr' STAN
mered Reinhart.
mot in America. We have just haC
a cahlegram announcing a very re
msrkable bit"