The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-12-07

lngly. lnere were q NUMBER OF men
in the office that we both detested,
and think they constituted an OPP
posing factor that tried our souls
with heroic patience.
And so Billy left us for good. oc-
casionaly we followed his Journey
ings by reading the Clippers routes.
Then came lapse of several years
One day while sitting In the lobby
of the Coleman House on a hot aft
ernoon in midsummer. | noticed a
tired out looking fellow half doing
on the opposite settee.
"Billy-my goodness"
He looked indeed. wornout and !
thin. but his eyes had not lost their |
sparkle
Yes, It did me to frazzle!.. he
exclaimed. 81 gave up the Ministries !
long ago, and then went in for my.
self ] took out big Broadway sue.
cess. but the territory | had In the
= West wouldn't stand for II somehow
Yet | got the company back home two
weeks ago. I Just got here"
ne n'Nl NhlllE hNdiu was NhhN
he had bought the Western rights
for Victor Durand. by Henry Guy
Carleton, which had made an open.
ing hit at Wallack.s Then during
the 70 lowing few years Billys name
was frequently in the papers. He
was making great successes on the
road with several companies. His
presentations had a trademark of
their own that affected the local
r communities to such degree that 1t
was synonymous with honesty, and
q guarantee of innocent merrment.
Next It was given out that Billy
had rented a New York theater. This
seemed actually wonderful; then we
heard that he mad rented another.
One day | was feasting my eyes on
some diamonds IN Gatto's windows
when | felt the rather obtrusve con.
tact of a man at my side. turned
to asArnonish him, when to my sur.
prise ! saw that ne was Billy!
"Tve been wanting to see you" he
said, after / had expressed my deep
interest in all mis- published doings.
The critics had declared him mast
er of his art-that his tastes were so
artistic that they extended all over
the anatomy of his brain, etc. "Will
YOU meet me at Del's tomorrow for
lunch? want to make a PROPOSE.
ton"
"Why not here, now" | asked.
"Wen. I think you would be in a
very attentive and receptive turn OF
mind over n canape LorenZoz and a
partridge-my, but you're looking
swell!"
was wearing a fashionable hos
coat of the period with n violet bou
tonniere, and perfect top hat ant
boots. l say this for reasons tina
follow.
leh went to Del's at the appointed
hce time. and found Billy already Their
at cozy corner table, waiting.
esk remember to this day, many VIII,
10 were in the room who now knew tn
ere great Billy. Some who knew both o
ick- us q was then the editor of Tn
tier T,,,otou Mooo,iroN marianne wordere
'uiu what we were up to. was fee'in
that my companion had a name tina
stood for a great deal.
usl- After the waiter had served us an
INA stood away, Billy said, II am almos
use afraid to say what I want, but ~
been thinking of It for quite lon
put time. IL want to make leadin
'9 man of you!"
oou- What the devil do you mea,
'hce Billy? In politics or in spouting tn
inc single tax theory-you know | use
to do that?"
ooA' "I want to be serious with you;
CA want you to go on the stage. | ca
90" make you leading man In year
'he stuff and nonsense! How do yc
know could act?"
onie because know It. I have new
nenh made a mistake in my judgment
SUI such things! I'll pay your expens
"" for a years preparation. You'll thu
es.S make more money than you will ev
MS get in tine writing business"
useu He was evidently much disappoir
wac ed when told him II would not
ea's possible for me TO accept his exit
the ordinary otrer He hung on To Il
as, some time after that day, and | nc
toou err could understand his persistenc
sn"' know could have acted better TIL
u'an some actors do, but as for being
h'.'' leading man, thought that Billy W
neh positively out Of his mead.
Per -, -, y. ,ou, 10 7 h
W accepted the job?
,'ne Billy was beginning to acqui
LIN more theaters and more people
"u' his companies on the road, and W
u III being called a theatrical Napoleo