Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-04-01
Marcia's Opinion
By H. LOUIS RAYRoLD

machine was disgracefully dusty, anu
had two Gags missing from the let
ter board. but for all that it gave forth
steady click-clack which competed
successfully with couple Of buzzing
mosquitoes.
Suddenly Bill paused, ran his fingers
wildly through his mop of hair and
gazed dejectedly out into the yelvety
darkness. "Confound itY he groaned
audibly. How can write this drivel?
Here's play think perfectly rotten,
played by a cheap bunch OF actors,
and I'm patting it on the back and
giving it good seadoff. Yet what
else can | do, after GUESSING out every
play in the house for month? III
gave my honest opinion again. the old
man would think me a confirmed pes
siInist and get somebody else to hold
down this picayune job, which, heaven
knows, l can't afford to lose. punk as
1t is !" Once more he bent to his work
resignedly and pounded on.
You see, ii was Bits seventh job
in as many months. And Bill was
engaged TO Marcia Stebbings-en-
gagged, that is, on the condition inn
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
cid. But Marcias father was coldly
skeptical.
For the moment Bill was dra-
matte critic of tie Saunderville
Evening Telegram, position more
munificent in title than in remunera-
ton. But it provided him with suffi-
Gent 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 pass to the theater, good
for two!
On that pass, this very evening,
he had taken her to see Never Mind,
Janet" He had gone to the theater de-
termined to comment favorably, but
had, in spite of himself, been bored
to death. Nor was he particularly
pleased that Marcia enjoyed the play
immensely.
Il always enjoy plays in which the
women wear evening Clothes" she had
told him complacently, land thought,
the leading womans hair was done
just wonderfully
But, good heavens, Marcia, he had
exclaimed irritably as they trailed out
Of the theater after the final curtain.
the plot is poorly constructed, the third
act drags, the denouement isn't log
teal, the villains long-winded, and the
herO's lunatic!"
YET now, three hours later, he
nopped his perspiring brow and viewed
what he had written-"a little ragged,
but shows promise plot--excel-
lent support by entire cast-Malcolm
Blaine in his usual good form"
Il suppose that would satisfy even
Marcia, he told himself GROSSLY. "Mar-
cia's the best girl there is in the world,
but what she doesn't know about criti-
cism of the drama would run CORE
spondence school"
Next morning, feeling like man
who has perjured his soul to save
his skin, Bill turned in his column
on ''Never Mind, janet" Further
more, he was resolved thereafter TO
write nothing but the truth, job or no
job, Marcia or no Marcia. Thank for
tune he'd had the sense to hold pri-
vately to his own views, by the way,
and not be Influenced by her views
on the subject. That noon, in white
tiled lunch room, he ran into Simmons,
his boss, editor of the Telegram.
Il see" said that gentleman, with
a glance that Bill took to be rather
superior, that you and | don't agree
about Never Mind, Janey / took my
wife to 1t last evening, and of all the
poor showsi :" He continued elabo-
rately 10 express his opinion. while
Bill; groaned inwardly, yearning to
say: "Them's my sentiments, toow
Unfortunately, Simmons held proof to
the contrary, legibly typewriter.
1t was some months later, after
Bill had investigated in vain one open
ing after another, ranging from jobs
as shoe clerk and apprentice cigar
maker 10 positions as factory inspector
and post Office employee, hoping to
discover something promising a future
on which he could marry the daugh-
ter of cautious father, that the blow
fell.
THE old man wants to see you! p
Sam, the Office boy, advised the fact
loudly to Bill, who was getting out
copy at desk in the corner. Bill rose,
and with an abnormally cheerful ex-
preston assumed for the benefit Of
two girl reporters, stroIled to the ed
itorial room.
"Sit down, Evans Simmons. with
in. invited him cordially. And Bin
sat. But he sat gingerly. on the thin
SUCCESS is EARNED.
There is no EASY NAV ~ er~naaa