The St. Joseph observer., 1919-10-25

"The occasion Of Nine. PATHS last
appearance in Kansas City was prob
ably the only time that William r.
Nelson outlined what should be said
in The Star of any person of the
stage. Yet what he did on that oc-
casion was thoroughly characteristics.
While some were sad and others in
dignant that the once great singer
should be willing to make a tour aft
er her voice had become impaired
Mr.. Nelson viewed her course from
an entirely different angle, ..,-..
Following the concert at Conven-
tion Hall, Mr.. Nelson came to the Of
flee of The Star. The music critic
had preceded him and already was
engaged in the thankless task of
writing a criticism of a dimmins star.
As soon as he reached his office. Mr..
Nelson voiced with genuine enthus-
iasm. his impressions OF Patti. a
but our critic says her voice is
frazzled." someone ventured.
Eyes. was afraid of that. 1 want
to see him." said Mr.. Nelson.
Never Mind the Truth.
When the critic appeared. Mr..
Nelson, with more than a touch Of
impatience in his tone remarked:
They tell me you think PATHS
voice is frazzled, or something like
that
" Well it's pretty badly worn,
don't you think, Mr.. Nelson?'
"'Ill tell you what I think
think she is a wonder. 1t is amazing
that a woman of her age can sing
at ALL
"'Oh, I agree with you there
"'well, isn't that the story, after
all? She always has done things no.
body else could do quite as well, and
she still is doing it-that is, she is
still singing at an unheard OF age for
public singers. why not write about
that instead of picking flaws in her
voice and making her unhappy
"T would, of course. feel more
kindly toward her if she needed the
money. But she is rich. and being
rich, I cannot understand why she is
willing to disturb the memories Of her
once glorious voice. Why, she even
gets off the key frequently
"'Well, what if she does? She
sings on the key most of the time
Now, see here and his whole atti-
tude changed to one of tenderest con-
sideration. Patti is about my
age. 1 know something Of the
feeling that gets one rather
frequently in advancing years.
Think what this woman has
been, what she has commanded and
what it would mean to acknowledge
that she was done fort If she can
make another tour like this, draw grea
| crowds-and she always is better tC
her audiences than any other singer
I ever heard-Pm strong for her
Even if she is fooling herself to som,
extent for the sake of old times Let's
not help to disillusion her.
Again-Ncver Mind the Truth
Now, I'll tell you what want,
| he continued. 4 want the incest
sweetest piece you know how to writ,
about dear old Patti. Make it {
report of her concert not a criticism
Put in some nice things about wha
she has been as a singer. and how
fortunate the younger general ton 4
that she is able to sing so late in life
Write something that will make the
old girl happy and put it on the from
page. You needn't sign your name t,
1t OF course, but you can write an
other piece for another part of paper
say anything you think a critic ough
to say and sign your name
There will be only one stor,
about Patti In the morning, Mr.. Mel
son. said the critic. and that will b
just as nearly what you want as
know how TO make 1t. Besides, yol
don't know how you have helped m
out
whether the story that was writ
ten to make Patti happy fulfilled it
| mission or NOT AZ aarta{pIty x,,oao Af,