Frank Merriwell's Fame — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TIP TOP WEEKLY. 7 me. What he needs is to be taken down a bit. He has stolen the idea used at the end of the third act in this play. That saw mill scene is not original with him. All the same, out here in this part of the country where we are playing, it’s not likely anybody ever saw the other play, and he will make money and win fame. He has not been on the stage three months, all told, and yet he has written a play and is doing the star part in it, while the rest of us, who have had experience and know our business; are forced to play second fiddle to him. I don’t want to see this show go up, for the engage- It makes me sore. ment is bound to be profitable, and I need the scads it will bring in; but I would like to see Merriwell laid on the shelf, and I have hopes that something will happen to put him there.” And this was the fellow to whom Frank had advanced money in St. Louis! This was the fellow Frank had given an engagement “after Lawrence had once refused to act in a company managed by him. Such is the gratitude of some men! Lockwell grasped the hand of the mali- cious actor. “T am with you!” he almost hissed: “TI thought you stuck on him, like all the other fools. You have appeared to be.” “Policy, diplomacy, shrewdness, my dear Merri- fellow. I am looking after the dust. well is the manager of this E “No, jhe is not the manager. Folansbee is the man. Merriwell is on salary, like the rest of us.” “But he engaged the people.” “Because he knew whom to engage, and Folansbee did not.” “And he has done the most of the work.” “That makes no difference. Folansbee is furnishing the cash, and the contracts were all made with him. He has let Merriwell go ahead so far, but now, if this thing’ proves a winner, which it will, he’ll take the reins in his own hands.” “How do you know?” “Oh, I’m in with Folansbee. before Merriwell ever saw him. TY knew him Don’t say a word about it, but I’ve got him on the string, and I know what he’ll do.” “You are sure?” “Dead sure. A week from now Merriweil will find he does not cut so much ice.” “But he’ll still be the star of the piece.” “T suppose so.” “And we'll: have the pleasure of seeing him called before the curtain every evening.” “It looks that way, unless f “Unless what?” “Unless another tree should break.” “Oh, I haven’t much confidence in any- thing knocking him out that way.” “Why not? “He is the luckiest ever. He always lands right side up.” “Oh, I don’t know.” we) Gecrek I was with the company when he I’ve seen more of him than you have. started out in the business, and I tell you now that nothing seems to throw him down for keeps. Every time luck seems >to go against him it turns out in the end to be the most fortunate thing for him that could have happened. You saw a sample of it to- night.” “Howe” “The breaking of that tree trunk.” “Well?” “Instead of doing him any harm, the au- dience seemed to accept it as a first class climax for that act, and applauded more than they had at all up to that point.” “T know ‘that,” ‘grated Lockwell. “It made me hot.” “You'll see lots of things that will make HOW DID THE VILLIANOUS BARTENDER SECURE BESSIE’S PIN? SEE NO. 30 OF TRUE BLUE. — ee —Se= Eomreboo