The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-16
DEANS CAREER
BY F.. E. c.

academy, DR.. Carter and Mr.. Dean,
Tho had occupied reserved seats,
bsnd opportunity for a little CONVEX
alton. Mutual congratulations were
b order, for Richard Carter, the doc
prs son, had delivered the salutatory
p Latin, and Alice Dean, the lawyers
laughter, had given the valedictory
ddress.
Yes" the doctor was saying, in his
reezy fashion, 81 think Dick has
one pretty well SO far. On, certain
y, he's going to be a physician! That
uits me, of course. I like the old
ashioned way of handing down an
occupation, so TO speak, from father
10 son; but independently Of that,
hink that the boy has-well, you
hight almost say a genius for my pro-
ession. ] really have strong hopes
hat Dick will amount to something.
It's a great responsibility-this bring
ing up of a boy; but if he turns out
Fell, it's worth the trouble"
Yes" said the lawyer, a little abb
emily.
your girl has done finely, too,"
continued the doctor, with polite in
ention. Dick says that she beat
i'm a little in most studies. She
certainly has a good head Of her own.
lpn't you agree with me it's almost a
6ity that she isn't a boy?" he added,
loosely.
Mr.. Deans smile was a little
forced. His family consisted of four
daughters, of whom Alice was the
youngest.
81 don't quite agree with you
here" he replied, though I believe
have gone so far as to remark to
Alice that / wished she had a twin
brother"
I "Not that it isn't possible for a girl
re look forward to a are of her
Pwn nowadays" the doctor went on.
#Woman's sphere has widened con-
Biderably since you and I were boys.
dare say that your daughter, with
her undoubted ability, has something
n mind other than settling down into
koung ladyhood?"
To tell the truth, the busy lawyer
bad given very little definite thought
TO the question of Alice's future. His
bther girls had, no doubt, settled
Rowns into young ladyhood" after
their schooling, and two
bf them were already married. Prob
billy he had taken it for granted that
bis youngest would follow their ex-
ample.
But this chance conversation had
suddenly awakened an ambition in
regard to Alice. Why should she not
have some kind of career as we'll as
Carter? He hastily made a
mental inventory of her tastes End
hptitudes, so far as he could recall
them, and at once his face frightened.
"Wel]," be said, 81 rather think
that Alice will devote herself to
music. I think that she has a decided
Gift in that direction"
"Ah!" said the doctor, with a show
of interest. Il suppose that she has
made a beginning?"
"Well she hasn't had much formal
instruction as yet, but it seems 20
come natural to her. I would rather
hear her play the piano than any pro-
fessional that / ever listened to. She
cnornc 70 noo1ya a. foJh rsrht o,,+ -
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 OPP
to speak.
Excuse me for interrupting," she
said, IS she touched the lawyers arm,
shut aren't you going to congratu-
late me, papa?"
why, Miss Alice!" exclaimed Dr..
Carter, turning round and forestall-
ing his friend. II will do so, at any
rate. Your father and I have been
a little about u 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, l am SIM
ply looking to see him established as
an ordinary. dcctor-a little better
one than his father, I hope. But you,
my dear young lady, with your gift,
may yet become famous"
There was a little twinkle in Alice's
as she withdrew her hand from
the Doctors friendly grasp, but she
gravely thanked him for his good
wishes. Il am afraid that my father
overestimates my musical
ability" she said, "but I will think
about it."
And. after a 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. mo time like the present"
@Of course l shall have to go away
for the lessons" she continued. Il
have been discussing the matter with
mother and the girls, and We think
that I had better spend the next few
months with Mollie, in the city"
MI. Deans face fell, for he had not
thought of absence from home in
connection with his daughters
career; but he was obliged to admit
the wisdom Of the proposal and to
give his. consent. So within a fort.