Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-08


Them said the young man to
whom the speaker had delivered his
ultimatum.
But Samuel Sharpstein, of Sharpstein
& Brothers, music publishers, shook his
head. "Moe is at Atlantic City. to the
opening of A Purple Lobster said
he, "and Jake is on jury; SO it's no
telling when they would be back. But it
wouldn't do no good anyhow. Already
they have gave me blazes for advancing
you so much, and only last Friday night
Moe was asking me if it wasn't about
time you was turning out live one to
pay back some of what you owe us.
"But,' pleaded the other, you've
advanced me only hundred dollars,
and all ask now is twenty-five more.
You have dozen of my songs, and if
anyone of them should be a success, and
sell a hundred thousand copies-why,
at royalty of three cents on each
Believe me, interrupted Sharp
stein. If one of your songs was to sell
hundred thousand copies, or hum
dred copies even, would give you
thousand dollars present. Honest,
Davenant, l could show you by our
books that there amt never been an
order for any of your stuff. They re the
deadest dogs in our whole catalogue.
Then why asked the young man.
with a flash of Indignation, did you
publish them?'
I'll tell you the honest truth. When
you come in here year ago we liked
your looks; also your name. AS soon
as Jake seen it on the scnps he says,
There's peach of name for to have
on the title page of high-class ballad,
Eric Davenant.' And besides your
stuff showed merit. Not that what you
had wrote was any good; but it looked
like maybe if you was trained right
maybe you would be live proposition.
SO, as this house is always progressive
and willing to take chance, we done so.
But Igotter say, Davenant, we've been
disappointed in you something fierce!'
Eric Davenant fumbled his hat and
looked at the expensive oriental rug on
the parquetry flooring of Sam Sharp
stems private Office. Its pattern re-
hected no hope for him; but he could
not give up without one more effort.
I'LL admit that perhaps most of my
compositions so far have been rather
er-unpractical from your stand
point he began
"All slush!"
But l did think that the one I've
just given you was in what you call the
popular vein.
mot bit like it," said Sharpstein,
Selling music manuscript from his
desk and regarding it disdainfully.
a could tell at glance without wait
ing for Charley Speiro even to run it
over for me that it wouldn't never
move. Why, the title only is enough
Shed No Tear! And such a bum lyric!
"Shed no tear! Oh. shed no tear!
The flower will bloom another year.
Weep no more! Oh. weep no more!
Young birds sleep in the roots white core!
Honest, do you think there's any merl
that
Well said Davenant. John Keats
II don't care what he is considered
never heard of this John Keith
Keats
@Well, Keats! And you tell him if
write lyric he should go back to the Ii
forget it. I'm surprised at you, Daven
amachoors like this guy, when I've to
time that if you wanted to tie up W
writer would put you onto anybody J
studios-and believe me, we got EN- all
I'm afraid. said Davenant, "that
musical settings to the class of lyric "
duce'
"You got nerve, Davenant,' said
knock our lyric writers-and femme te
comes to class, the amt no better in
admit it, you couldn't take lyric ik
lands Rough House Rag and make tt