will soon find that out. His military
play, written out of his experiences as a United States cavalryman in
the Spanish American War, was called "Boots and Saddles," after it
was given as "Sergeant James." "Fine Feathers," "The Knife," "The
Heritage," "Nancy Lee"--were all second or third choice as to name.

In his advancement, Mr. Walter gives much credit to three American
managers--Kirke LaShelle, and the Selwyn brothers, Archie and Edgar.
It was the Selwyns who, during his various ventures in the "show
business," persuaded him to move to Shelter Island, and write "The
Undertow." It was in their house that "Paid in Full" was finished. Let
Mr. Walter continue the narrative:

The circumstances under which "The Easiest Way" was written
are rather peculiar. When I was an advance-agent, ahead of
second-class companies, the need of money caused me to write a
one-act piece called "All the Way from Denver," which in time
I was able to dispose of. Later, after having written "Paid in
Full," I realized that in the play, "All the Way from Denver,"
there was a situation or theme that might prove exceedingly
valuable in a four-act play. After discussing the
possibilities with Mr. Archie Selwyn, we concluded to write
it. In the meantime, the one-act piece had come into the
possession of Margaret Mayo, and through her, Mr. Edgar Selwyn
decided that the title should be "The Easiest Way" instead of
"All the Way from Denver."

The play was then taken in its scenario form to Mr. C.B.
Dillingham, and discussed with him at length. This was prior
to the public presentation of "Paid in Full." I possessed
no particular reputation as a dramatic writer--in fact, the
Messrs. Selwyn--Archie and Edgar--were the only ones who took
me seriously, and thought me a possibility. Mr. Dillingham was
not particularly impressed with the piece, because he thought
it was much too broad in theme, and he did not like the idea
of slapping the managerial knuckles of the theatre. Further,
the obvious inference in "The Easiest Way," that _Laura_ was
kept out of work in order to be compelled to yield herself to
_Brockton_, was a point which did not appeal to him. However,
we had a working agreement with him, and later, Mr. Archie
Selwyn, in discussing the story of the play with Mr. David
Belasco, aroused his interest. The latter saw "Paid in Full"