Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1907-10-12
ALICE DEANS CAREER
BY 2. {. c. ROBBINS.

| ercises Of the class OF 20, 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, Il think Dick has
done pretty well Sc far. Oh, certain
ly, he's going to be a physician! That
! suits me, of course. l like the old
fashioned way of handing down an
occupation, so TO speak, from father
to son; but independently of that, l
think that the boy has-well, you
might almost say a genius for my pro-
fession. really have strong hopes
that Dick will amount to something.
It's great esponsibility-this bring
ing up of a 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
| cer9inIy has good head of her own.
Don't you agree with me it's almost q
pity that she isn't a boy?" he added,
loosely.
Mr.. Deans smile was little
forced. His family consisted of four
daughters, of whom Alice was the
youngest.
Il don't quite agree with you
there, he replied, though | believe
have gone so far as to remark to
Alice that l wished she had twin
brother"
Not that it isn't possible for gin
to look forward to a career of her
own nowadays" the doctor went on.
Womans sphere has widened con-
siderably since you and l were boys.
l dare say that your daughter, with
her undoubted ability, has something
in mind other than settling down into
young ladyhood?"
To tell the truth, the busy lawyer
/ had given very little definite thought
TO the question of Alice's future. Hi'
other girls had, no doubt, settled
down into young ladyhood" after
completing their schooling, and two
of them were already married. Prob
ably he had taken it for granted that
his 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 well as
young Carter? He hastily made
mental inventory of her tastes md
aptitudes, so far as he could recall
them, and at once his face frightened.
We'll he said, Il rather think
that Alice will devote herself to
music. think that she has decided
gift in that direction
All! " said the doctor, with a show
Of interest. 4 suppose that she has
already made beginning?"
We'll, she hasn't had much formal
instruction as yet, but it seems %
come natural to her. l would rather
hear her play the piano than any pro-
tessional that l ever listened to. She
seems to make il talk right out. "
The two men had not noticed that
a young girl, burdened with bouquets
the occasion, HAD entered the pew be-
hind them, and was waiting an OPP
portunity to 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. i 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 il to yourself and to your
friends to cultivate it. Such a talent
is not to be hidden under q bushel.
Now in the case of my boy. l am sim
ply looking to see him established az
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 a little twinkle in Alice 6
eyes as she withdrew her hand from
the doctors friendly grasp, but she
gravely thanked him for his cd
wishes. Il am afraid that my father
somewhat oyerestimates my musical
ability she said, but l 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 neyt even
ing she said, Papa, I've made up my
mind that l should like to begin TAX
ing lessons at once, if you are will
ing"
Certainly, certainly replied Mr..
Dean. NO time like the present.
~Of course shall have to go away
for the lessons she continued. i
AeAfS CENA Al0N lASSills lA4E lldLAtI Win
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 hsa 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
night Alice was with her married sis
ter in city twenty miles away, and
taking lessons.
Th2 lawyer missed his daughter
even more than he had expected. The
shabby old piano at home, that 7ad
been wont to respond so blithely TO
the touch Of girlish fingers, now stood
in its corner in a most depressing
silence; and even his Office on the