Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-06-21
THE GREATEST
BY AGNES c. sRoeAN

The town Of Byron had always been
proud OF its talent. Two noted an.
thors and one famous singer came out
of Byron.
IL was proud Of rs continued Byron
ancestry; here greatgrandsons now
lived In the same old stone houses Of
their fathers. So in conversation one
might hear:
Lucy is very like her grandmother
az that age" or
william will never be the man his
I grandfather was"
Again, Byron gave promise of send
ing 10 the world two gifted members.
/ Everyone knew that Phyllis Benson
I would have a musical daughter. Phyl-
lis herself had been their exhibit az
the piano. Now the girl. grown 10
young womanhood, was going away to
I study.
Not yet abroad" Phyllis mother
explained; "she will try first the best
I teachers in Boston"
Close following Phyllis. in time was
I Matte Mathers' daughter. Mattie's
daughter Gwendo:in could sing beau.
I tifully. No church social or school en-
/ tertainment was complete without
7 Gwendolin on the program.
But" Mrs. Mathers explained. I'VE
I did not consider Ovens voice seri-
I ously until the glee club director Of
her college insisted that she have the
best possible training. We are send
Ing her in 10 the city to learn first
I from him"
Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Mathers
basked in a fame-almost won.
Then came another qualification.
. Nancy LeSlies daughter Linnet
evinced promise as writer. Byron
/ ties recalled that Linnet had written
more or less for various town publica-
T lions Her stories in the school maya
I zine We're commended. her poems re-
I cited from the school stage But that
n story Of Linnet's had now actually
/ appeared In magazine cave certain
proof Of her calling. Already. in her
mothers eyes. Linnet wore the laurels
Of the towns two famous authors.
"Now. how" asked Linnet, do you
ever suppose I happened 70 hit that
editor just right?"
There was no happening about IT,"
her mother Indignantly replied. You
have talent-like your Uncle Sidney.
shall send you 20 the city az once.
where you may touch elbows with
writer's, and learn, Of them. Your
Uncle Sidney Is a newspaper man, and
may be able 10 direct YOU
"Oh. mother" said Linnet wistfuuy,
III you only knew how happy I am"
she smiled-",n poverty and obscurity.
you would never send me away"
But Linnet went 10 the city. and
after a time a paper came 10 Byron.
II had a pretty little story. with Lin
net Leslie's name beneath H. The
newspaper was Uncle Sidney's.
when the three girls came home for
a vacation week. they were feted and
exhibited socially. Linnet was pale
and thinner; her mother Importantly
explained that she had been working
too hard NJ her profession. Soon after.
the Byron paper reported that Miss
| Phyllis Benson would be obliged TO
discontinue for some time her musical
studies. She had suffered a break
down under the strain OF many reel
tails.
Gwendolln Mathers. unfortunately
had been called home because of her
mothers frail health. and would not
therefore take her anticipated journey
abroad. So Byron was privileged TO
enjoy its own celebrities in recitals
given az home. The new principal Of
. Byron Hin school helped much in the
inspiration of these entertainments.
He was young. single and good look
ing Moreover. he was said 10 be at
work. I'm the seclusion of Byron, upon
some wise treatise for publication.
Then. suddenly and peacefully. Nancy
Leslie died. II was difficult for the
neighbors 10 realize the sad fact
Why, only yesterday she had read TO
them an encouraging letter from Lin
net Linnet. she said. had sent her
twenty-five dollars. "She must make
good deal with her stories" the
mother had said, ito spare me so
much"
The girl was quiet and very brave
when she was summoned home-they
had expected that.
"You viii 60 back TO the city Of
course" they said.
Il am not going back" she told
them gently. because there Is no use.
I had no talent whatever in writing.
Uncle Sidney tried to help me-all Of
them. II was not in me. ] could not
dlsappoint mother by telling her just
then. / have been working in an Of
/ fee" added Linnet. She smiled ap-
| pealingly. begging their pardon for
/ falling.
"I-never viii be great in any way"
she deplored.
From the shadows of the room a
man came and took her hand. II was