The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-10-24
ALICE DEANS CAREER
- r. {. c. ROBBINS.

While the audience that had filled
the village church was slowly dispers.
Ing at the close of the graduating ex-
ercises of the class Of TO, Dunton
academy, DR.. Carter and Mr.. Dean,
who had occupied reserved seats,
found opportunity for little CONVEX
sation. Mutual congratulations were
IN order, for Richard Carter, the doc
tors son, had delivered the salutatory
IN Latin, and Alice Dean, the lawyers
daughter, had given the valedictory
address.
yes, /" the doctor was saying, in his
breezy fashion, "I think Dick has
done pretty we'll so far. Oh, certain
iy, he's going to be physician! That
suits me, of course. / like the old
Fashioned way of handing down an
occupation. so to speak, from father
TO son; but independently of that, I
think that the boy has-well, you
might almost say genius for my pro-
fession. I really have strong hopes
that Dick will amount to something.
It's great responsibility-this bring
Ing up of boy; but if he turns out
well, it's worth the trouble"
Yes" said the lawyer, little alb
sently.
"Your girl has done finely, too, !"
continued the doctor, with polite in
tention. "Dick says that she beat
him a little in most studies. She
certainly has a good head of her own.
Don't you agree with me it's almost a.
pity that she isn't boy?" he added,
loosely.
Mr.. Deans smile was a little
forced. His family consisted of four
daughters, of whom Alice was the
youngest.
II don't quite agree with you
there" he replied, though 1 believe
l have gone SO far as to remark to
Alice that wished she had a twin
brother"
mot that it isn't possible for a girl
to look forward to a career of her
own nowadays" the doctor went on.
"Woman's sphere has widened con-
| siderably since you and l were boys.
: dare say that your daughter, with
her undoubted ability, has something
in mind other than settling down into
young ladyhood?"
WELL" he said, IT rather think
that Alice will devote herself to
music. think that she has decided
gift in that direction"
"Ahi" said the doctor with a show
OF interest. II suppose that she has
already made beginning?"
We'll, she hasn't had much formal
instruction as yet, but it seems 20
come natural to her. l would rather
hear her play the piano than any pro-
fessional that ever listened to. She
seems to make il talk right out"
The two men had not noticed that
a young girl, burdened with bouquets
and flushed with the excitement of
the occasion, had entered the pew be-
hind them, and was waiting an op-
portunity ito speak.
Excuse me for interrupting," she
said, as she touched the lawyers arm,
"but aren't you going to congratu-
late me, papa?"
Why, Miss Alice!" exclaimed DR..
Carter, turning round and forestall-
ing his friend. 81 will do so, at any
rate. Your father and I have been
Dragging little about our children,
and he was just speaking of your
musical gift. Allow me to say that
you owe it to yourself and to your
friends to cultivate it. Such a talent
is not to be hidden under a bushel.
Now. in the case Of my boy, am SIM
ply looking to see him established as
an ordinary doctor-a little better
one than his father, hope But you,
my dear young lady, with your gift,
may yet become famous"
There was little twinkle in Alice's
eyes as she withdrew her hand from
the doctors friendly grasp, but she
gravely thanked him for his good
wishes. 81 am afraid that my father
somewhat overestimates my musical
ability" she said, "but 1 will think
about it,"
And after few words with her
father, she went to join her mother
and sisters, who were waiting for her
in the aisle.
Apparently she lost no time in
thinking about it, for the next even
ing she said, Papa, I've made up my
mind that should like to begin TAX
Ing lessons at once, if you are will
ing"
Certainly, certainly" replied Mr..
Dean. No time like the present. y
"Of course I shall have to go away
for the lessons" she continued. II
have been discussing the matter with
mother and the girls, and we think
that l had better spend the next few
months with Mollie, in the city,"
Mr.. Deans face fell, for he had not
thought of absence from home in
connection with his daughter
career; but he was obliged to admit
the wisdom of the proposal and to
give his consent. So within a fort
night Alice was with her married sis
ter in city twenty miles away, and
taking lessons.
But at the end of a month Alice