Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-05-24
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81 ELIZABETH FoX.

EAAaA 4A4SA WeAD DOAA Win n ENyE.
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 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 m them. Ha
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 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 he was sitting In his
study when the card of this manager.
Mr.. Reinhart. came up to him. Mr..
Reinhart. a red faced, portly man with
puffy 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 Fostering me with your
plays, which 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 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 I'll
sue you for past losses, which can
recover"
Good gracIousT7 exclaimed .Trask.
"How?"
"The contracts. Do you suppose I've
been in this business twenty years not
to know how to draw one?"
"Sallie!' called Trask IN high key
ed, drawing voice.
A lady entered whom Trask intro
duced as his wife. shes a sort Of
business manager for me now" he
said. She'll talk to you"
Il didn't know that you had mar
ried," said the manager, surprised.
"Yes, 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 l 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, EdgarY
"Oh, a quarter IL 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
II was just saying to your husband
that the ungrateful course he is pur-
suing
II heard that. The door between
this and my room was open when You
said it. What is 1t you wishY'
well, want to keep up my friend
" relations with Trask. I've really
brought him out. l want to make a
contract with him for the new play"
AT what royaltyY
"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 lossesT'
"Oh, friendship. I want to encour-
age him."
You must have heard something"
What is there to hearT He col
ored slightly.
Mr.. Trask has sold a play since he
parted with you. 1t was produced
last night for the first time. l, aided
by lawyer. made the contract for It"
You? Where was it triedY' STAN
mered Reinhart.
Not in America. We have just had
cablegram announcing a very re-
%AA hhnAe MI.
You don't mean it." trying to ap-
pear surprised.
so we expect a pretty good price
tor the next, which Is nearly ready"
"Hew muchT'
Three thousand dollars down and
900 for each performance"
accept your Offer"
Excuse me; it is not an offer 70
you. Mr.. Trask VIII sell no more plays
to you"
Sallie." groaned Trask, 81 think you
are treating me very mean. This foun-
uin pen is worn out Why don't you
give me some money to buy anotherT
Because you haven't asked me, dear.
III remember to give 1t to you before
you go downstairs tomorrow"
And 10 cents for car fareTs
III see to it,
meanwhile Mr.. Reinhart was think
ING OF the bluff he had made. VERY
vel he said. rising and buttoning bis
wal; I'm begin suit under my con-
uaets Tor losses on the back plays
hsNns = - A.s..5rsre.