Frank Merriwell's Fame — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

TIP ‘TOP “What you need is a good big drink,” said Lawrence. “Won't you have one from my flask?” “Well, hardly!” exclaimed Merry, tearing the shirt off and turning it the other way. “You know, drinking during the perform- ance is against the rules.” “Ts it?” murmured Lawrence, unscrewing the cap from his flask and coolly taking a swallow from it. Frank was astonished. “What do you mean by this, Lawrence?” he spoke, frigidly. “Are you looking for your release?” “Not at all. ‘did, ‘sir.’ “T thought so. written a very good play, and your royalties Who made those rules?” Mr. Merriwell, you have will make your pockets sag, to say nothing of your salary to fill the star part, but you Mr. Folansbee is the manager, and I hardly think are not the manager of the company. he will make a silly rule against taking an occasional drink as a bracer while the play is going on.” “Mr. Folansbee approved of the rule pro- hibiting such drinking.” “Did he?” “Certainly he did.” “Then he has changed his mind, for I saw him taking a drink with Lockwell about = _ three minutes ago. What Lockwell and the I think the rule a nuisance, and I advise you to have manager can do together, I can do. it cut out without delay.” Then Lawrence strolled out, still smoking. Frank realized there was trouble brewing. “There is something behind this that I do not understand,” he muttered, ‘hastening with his dressing. When He Said He Would Get Clif Drunk, Jazeb Little Knew His Man. WEEKLY. CHAPTER II. ENVIOUS ACTORS. Leslie Lawrence had been the leading man of the old “Empire Theatre Comedy Com- pany.” his way, and he was struck on himself and the centre of the stage. He delighted to monopolize the centre of the stage. : He was a rather handsome fellow in Frank’s first opportunity as an actor had come while Lawrence was ill and unable to fill his role. Roscoe Havener was forced to fill the vacant part in a hurry, and no person but Merriwell was available, so Frank was taken. It was with many misgivings that Hav- ener ran Merriwell in to fill such a promi- nent part, even for one night; but he was literally astounded by the really creditable manner in which Frank played the part, al- though given but a few hours’ notice. Then Frank was kept on Lawrence’s parts till the actor was able to go on again. And Lawrence was told by every one that the young amateur had played his parts almost, if not quite, as well as he could play them nlmself, Lawrence’s pride was touched, but he kept it to himself for the time. Later, how- ever, when Frank assumed the management of the company, the leading man deserted the organization, refusing to act under Merri- well. But.LLawrence had left at a bad time of the season, and, being without money, he was stranded in St. Louis. .He could not get back to New York, and in vain he sought an engagement, till Frank appeared on the out- look for people to fill the cast of his new play. Lawrence swallowed his pride and begged for an engagement. He was just the sort of man Merry was looking after, and so he was taken into the new company. See No. 30 of True Blue. Gomichboo ren " > Te