Frank Merriwell's Fame — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Pa ok Ant al nll id Dill aap NE nie ts ita sae i Sat gai EE TIP TOP WEEKLY. 13 “Mr. Folansbee,” said Havener, when he returned and found Folansbee and Law- rence smoking and talking in a dressing room, ‘“‘am I the stage manager of this com- pany?” ‘Why, of course you are,” was the reply. “Then I wish Lockwell fined ten dollars for refusing to rehearse this afternoon.” “Did he refuse?” asked Folansbee, in sur- prise. “Yes. Does the fine stand?’ “Why—why % “Does the fine stand?” “OF Course.” “That's pay him ten dollars short at the end of the all I want to know. You will week?” “Yes, if you say “E-go:"* Havener turned and walked out of the dressing room. ) “Now, that’s a shame!’ declared Law- “Hav- ener drives us like horses. Lockwell is clean rence, with pretended indignation. beat out. You know we were up pretty late last night, and ns “Yes, I know.” ‘““Lockwell has a headache to-day. He told me he did not feel as if he could rehearse. And you have promised to fine him just be- cause that slave-master asked you to!” “Oh, well, that’ll be all right, my boy— that'll be all right.” “How?” “T shall fine him.” “You will?” “But PH make it all right with him after- ward, He won’t lose anything; don’t worry.” “Well, I’m glad to know he won’t lose anything, but I’m sorry you played into the hands of Havener. You are manager of this company.” > “Of course I am,” swelled Folansbee.° “And you should assert yourself. You are letting Merriwell and Havener have alto- gether too much to say. You are not carry- ing this thing through as you should. [I trust you will pardon me for speaking in this plain iaanner, but I hate to see you imposed upon by those fellows. It was your money that put this company on the road. Without you the show could not have started.” Folansbee got up and walked the floor. “You are speaking the truth, Mr. Law- rence,” he said. “I am the proprietor and manager.” “Show Merriwell and Havener that you >? are. ‘ “How?” “By asserting your authority.” In what way?” “Well, I'll tell you. This piece is not cast to the best advantage. It can be improved upon.” “Do you think so?’ “T know it.” “In what way can it be improved on?” “Oh, by several changes.” ‘““Name one.” Lawrence hesitated. He longed to say it could be improved on my giving him the star part and putting Merriwell into an in- ferior part, but he decided that it would: not be wise. Folansbee was an “easy thing,” but he would be pretty sure fo see through the selfishness of Lawrence’s motive in seek- ing a change. Lawrence must pretend that he was not seeking personal advancement, but was working for the general good to the piece.” “} will name one,” he said, slowly. “Lock- well is mis-cast. He is not a German come- dian, but he is a mighty good heavy man. This fellow Dunton can play comedy, but he is a poor villain.” Our Premiums Are “All Right” Is What Our Readers Say.