Cousin Clara's Cookbook - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Bings was a clever book agent, but he ran up against a snag in trying to dispose of ".Cousin Clara's Cook Book." "It sure is a tough one," he confided to the manager of the branch office. "Perhaps it's the war. Anyway, something is wrong ...See moreBings was a clever book agent, but he ran up against a snag in trying to dispose of ".Cousin Clara's Cook Book." "It sure is a tough one," he confided to the manager of the branch office. "Perhaps it's the war. Anyway, something is wrong with the people. I don't mind the usual insults, and since I put that board in the seat of my trousers I thought I was immune. But the populace is finding all sorts of new ways to injure me. Besides, no one will buy a book." A pretty girl, who sat in the office, taking in the talk, raised to Bings a face eloquent with sympathy. Then she gazed appealingly at the manager, who promptly introduced Bings. "I am so sorry, Mr. Bings," murmured she, "so very, very sorry. You see, I wrote the book. I am Cousin Clara. Father is an invalid, and so poor. We have a tiny, tiny farm, with a big, big mortgage. I wanted to help. First, I wrote a play for Mr. Belasco, but he was too busy to reproduce it. So I decided to compose a cook book. The recipes really are excellent, at least, I have been told so." She dropped her eyes a moment, then glanced up again archly. "When our kind manager," she resumed, "said you were to handle the book, I rejoiced, for I had heard what a wonder you are. It discourages me deeply to learn that you have failed. Now I fear that nothing can keep the mortgage away from father's little farm." Cousin Clara wept gracefully, and the heart of Bings was touched. Also, it was a case of love at first sight. A desperate plan came to him. Calling up the editor of the local paper, and introducing himself as "Dr. Hupple," proprietor of a private sanitarium for the insane, he imparted an exciting piece of information. "One of my patients has escaped," he explained. "He is a sufferer from a disease with a long Latin name, which scarcely could be understood over the phone. The unfortunate man used to be a book agent, and I fear that his weak mind may return to his old vocation. Warn your readers that if he calls to solicit patronage, that they must immediately subscribe, no matter what the book may be. Give him money for a subscription and he is harmless. But refuse him, and I cannot answer for the consequences. He was the most dangerous patient I had, and is capable of handling with ease six strong men." The paper printed the warning. It made a good story. All the neighborhood read it, and shuddered. The maniac book agent soon appeared. He was armed with "Cousin Clara's Cook Book," and no one dared refuse to subscribe for a copy. After one busy day, however, he ceased to call. That night, ready to drop, Bings staggered into the office, his pockets bulging. He turned the pockets inside out. But did Cousin Clara fall into his arms, crying, "My preserver. Take your reward." She did not. She marshalled forward a hulking youth, and thanking Bings sweetly for his exertions, explained that now she could marry Tommy Banks without waiting for him to get a raise of salary. Bings has left the book agent business forever. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less