Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 27, 1925 — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

Sa mewspaperese far condensed addenda writ- teu from biographical department clippings to refresh the readers’ memories on what the latest development is all about. This shirt-tail recalled Monty’s previous antics to distress his family. ‘I'd like to see Temple when he reads this,” mused Monty. “ His solemn old map will look as if the League of Nations had changed it.” Temple Craig was Monty’s brother, the dutiful son who had stayed at the right hand of Montgomery Craig, Sr., and had made sure that the overstuffed veal was not apportioned to the sunny prodigal. Temple was everything that Monty was not. Solemn, industrious, and dull, Temple had permitted his father to cast him into a rigid mold, while Monty was running wild. Timidly Temple had submitted to the domineering of Craig while Monty had revolted openly. Temple had been groomed to take his father’s place as head of the business, while Monty refused to sue for reconciliation. Temple had toadied and schemed to get everything, while Monty had continued to do things which enraged their father and fixed him in his determination to cut off his namesake. All of Craig’s favoritism had dated from their college days when Monty, then in his freshman year, had taken the blame for an escapade in which Temple became in- volved within a few months of graduation. A telephoned tip that the culprit’s name was “ Craig” naturally brought the charge to the door of Monty, who in his one un- dergraduate year had made a record as a practical joker and prank originator. Temple, in his secretive way, had stepped out for once in his college career and through sheer inexperience had tripped im- mediately. Monty was expelled, and his father had disowned him. Monty had countered by joining a burlesque troupe which advertised “the millionaire comedian, son of Mont- gomery Craig, the millionaire manufac- turer.” The elder Craig had doubled the disinheritarice in a public interview which furnished the wily theatrical man the pub- icity he aimed to get. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. _ As a stage recruit Monty only lasted the season out. He would not rehearse and he broke up the show repeatedly by rattling the other principals with improvised gags in place of their correct cues. His drawing power also waned as soon as the public forgot his case. For several years he had roamed America on walking tours that he called tramping, although he punctuated it by working in various places. Life in the open called him. It was good for his physique, which was not robust. One season he traveled with tent shows, making a hit as ballyhoo with his fund of quick wit. Winter found him back on Broadway, serving as press agent for va- rious shows. There he could be near Ruth Lowrey. Monty had discovered Ruth playing all sorts of feminine roles in a tent show stock company. She never had been east of the Mississippi when he brought her to public notice. The tent show had pitched at a Western town which had captured a big prize fight. This sporting event had brought Broadway to the sticks, and with it a number of feature writers and theatrical commentators. Monty knew a few, and through these he won the acquaintance of the others during the dull days preceding the big bout. He steered these influential critics around to sce Ruth. She was something to write about when material was scarce. Ruth’s name went over the wires NPR to the big town on the Hudson. An engage- ment on the strength of this publicity fol- lowed. Ruth made good in a small role. While she was reaching for her laurels and while his own dole at the bay window was modest, Monty had contented himself with being her helpful friend. When the elder Craig died, Monty had moved into a rather pretentious apartment. He could not afford it, but he talked a sporting ac- quaintance into gambling on his chances in the division of the Craig millions. This man was to receive back a juiey bonus together with what he spent in set- ting Monty up in style, after the will was opened. And when the document was read, it was, found to cut off Monty with the nominal sum of ten thousand dollars. In GOMIGDOOo C SS Co