The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-04-02
Marcia's Opinion
By II. LOUIS RAYBOLD
!. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.J

I9. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
In his close, dingy-walled fourth
story room, Bill Evans sat, shirt
sleeved, pounding his typewriter. The
machine was diSgracefully dusty, anu
had two caps missing from the let
ter board, but for all that it gave forth
steady click-clack which competed
successfully with couple Of buzzlng
mosquitoes.
Suddenly Bill paused, ran his fingers
wildly through his mop Of hair and
gazed dejectedly out into the velvety
darkness. "Confound it" he grOaned
audibly. How can write this drivel!
Here's a play think perfectly rotten,
played by a cheap bunch of actors,
and I'm patting it on the back and
giving it a good sendOff. Yet what
else can l do, after cussing out every
play in the house for month? If l
gave my honest opinion again, the old
man would think me a confirmed pes
simist and get somebody else to hold
down this picayune job, which, heaven
knows, l can't afford to lose, punk as
it is !" Once more he bent to his work
resignedly and pounded on.
You see, it was Bits seventh job
in as many months. And Bill was
engaged to Marcia Stebbings-en-
gagged. that is, on the condition i'm
posed by her cautious father, that
he make good enough at something
TO show what was in him. Bill knew
what was in him. Marcia said she
did But Marcias father was cOldly
For the moment Bill was dra-
matte critic of the Saunderville
Evening Telegram, a position more
in title than in remunera--
tion. But it provided him with suffi-
eient cash for board and lodging and
allowed him enough spare time for
odd bits of free lancing, the returns
from which purchased cigars for him
self and flowers for Marcia. Also, the
job meant a pass to the theater, good
for twol
On that pass, this very evening,
he had taken her to see Never Mind,
Jane" He had gone to the theater de-
to comment favorably, but
had, in spite of himself, been bored
to death. Nor was he particularly
pleased that Marcia enjoyed the play
Il always enjoy plays in which the
wear evening Clothes" she had
told him complacently, land thought
the leading woman's hair was done
Just wonderfully
but, good heavens, Marcia" he had
exclaimed irritably as they trailed out
IF the theater after the final curtain,
he plot is poorly constructed, the third
let drags, the denOuement isn't log
cal, the villains long-winded, and the
lerOs a lunaticl"
Yet now, three hours later, he
nOpped his perspiring brow and viewed |
What he had written-"a little ragged, |
tut shows prOmise-clever plOt-excel- /
ent support by entire cast-MalcOlm |
Blaine in his usual good FORM"
II suppose that would satisfy even |
farcia," he told himself GROSSLY. Mar
las the best girl there is in the world, |
tut what she doesn't know about criti- |
ism of the drama would run a CORE
pOndence school,"
Next morning, feeling like a man
7hO has perjured his soul to save
is skin, Bill turned in his column
n Never Mind, janet" Further
lore, he was resolved thereafter to
rite nothing but the truth, job or no
Db, Marcia or no Marcia. Thank for
lne he'd had the sense to hold pri-
ateY to his own views, by the way,
nd not be infiuepced by her views
n the subject. That noon, in a white
led lunch room, he ran into Simmons,
Is boss. editor of the Telegram.
Il see" said that gentleman, with
glance that Bill took to be rather.
Iperior. "that you and l don't agree
bout Never Mind, Janer took nv
life to it last evening, and of all the
Dor shows" He continued elabo-
ltely to express his opinion, while
i'll groaned inwardly. yearning to
ny: "Them's my sentiments, toov'
Unfortunately, Simmons held proof to
le contrary, legibly typewriter.
1t was some months later, after
Ill had investigated In vain one open-
g after another, ranging from Jobs
J shoe clerk and apprentice cigar
aker to positions as factory inspector
I'd post office employee, hoping to
scover something promising a future
| which he could marry the daugh-
/ of cautious father, that the blow
II.
1.-The old man wants to see you I"
Inn, the Office boy, advised the fact
IDLY to Bill, who was getting out
by at desk in the corner. Bill rose,
ID with an abnOrmally cheerful ex- '
ession assumed for the benefit of
70 girl reporters, strolled to the ed &
,rial room. I
"Sit down, Evans" Simmons, with
invited him cordially. And Bill q
I Ruf ba cof oriDUorlv ON tho thin n