The Washington herald., 1908-04-21
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIEW

The man or woman who can retain
faith in human nature and continue to
hold out a helping hand after meeting
with base ingratitude from those who owe
a moral debt that can never be discharg-
ed is high above the ordinary mortal,
and deserves public homage. I thought
just that when I heard that the generous
hand that made fame and fortune pos
sible TO one of the most popular prima
donnas in grand opera has been again
extended to two young women with ex-
publicly repudiated the aid she accepted
years ago, although she admits the cash
payment of her Indebtedness.
I happen to know something of the
real truth OF the NATTER for / gave her
the first newspaper notice she ever had.
A young man who had heard her sing at
some private function. and met her aft
erward, asked me If I did not want 20
do something nice for a remarkably
clever young girl. OF course. / did, and
be supplied me with the facts that the
little story which caught the eye Of the
editor Of a powerful New York paper.
A woman was sent to me to secure the
girls address, and on the following sun
day the budding prima donna was the
/ feature Of page story abundantly IL
lustrated.
But her future was settled before all
that, A man with a generous hears. deep
pocketbook, and an intense love of
music bad made It possible for this
daughter of the people to realize her
ambition He allowed her 500 a month
for living expenses while she studied
under the best masters of Europe, whose
fees were supplied from the same deep
purse as the other sums. After the girl
had received recognition and a firm foot
ing in her chosen profession she began
to repay her debt. without interest, for
her benefactor would take nothing but
the principal Her cousin told me that
she paid every dollar long before she
became a favorite. but that was not
quite the fact, as I found out from the
man who had the best chance TO know.
But she did pay all eventually, and then
proceeded TO the task of forgetting that
such obligations cannot be wiped out
with money.
II she and her family was not too
proud TO accept assistance, they have no
reason for being ashamed OF It at this
late day. All the denials Of a lifetime
will do her no good. for the story is 700
well known 10 be explained away They
really are an injury to her. for no
amount OF talent compensates for a lack
of decent gratitude. Sooner or later she
will feel the effect Of her foolishness,
The man 70 whom che owes gratitude
In big quantities has been deeply wrong
ed and put 10 unnecessary humiliation
by her unexpected attitude.
But he heard new voices Of great prom
I ise. and straightway forgot past disagree
ables. Both girls needed money TO place
them where they belong for instruction,
and students must live while they study.
More than that, they must have bodily
comforts, for good health Is an important
/ factor in the SUCCESS of a singer. They
are TO have the same treatment accorded
their predecessor. ana many before her,
and since they know the story of ingrati-
tude and condemn il, there Is reason
TO believe that IL is not likely 10 be re-
peated. The World needs host OF such
benefaCt0Ts. but how are they TO be found
when incidents OF this kind are public
knowledge? BETTY BRADEEN