The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-10
MOTHERS OF
 FAMOUS MEN
By MARY ADRIAN The Mother of Richard Wagner

Ills mothers unuerSlaHUlHe' WIS dom and instinctive love did grea deal to make Richard Wagner one ol the greatest of the worlds musicians Frau Wagner was left a widow with seven children. when Richard was very little boy. Within year after her husbands death she remarrled Her second husband, whose name was Geyer. was devoted to the arts, and encouraged his step-son's interest lu music. The boys mother, although she was not especially musical oI poetical, was woman or mark keu mentality and keen perceptions.
 She possessed a tine appreciation "i all good things, says piosfapher and mad more than the usual store ol common sense. These two quaIltles seldom found in one person. helped Ter to understand and aid her son Richard, whom she always regarded as the most promising or her ehll- dren.
 Before he was 10 years old she re- r-arKed to one of her friends;
 Richard will be able to succeed at anytnlng he concentrates his mind upon"
 The years proved the correctness of her prevision-a truth which she herself was largely responsible for that awful voice of his booming out some directions to a man he called Abe, 1 also heard Martha elumPlhS back and forth between the dlnlng room and kitchen. So 1 was quite safe in making my investigations You need not look so dtsapproNlhSly. Surely, ;t mother has a rlgnt 10 so into her own sons room without asking permission.
 surely, she has, he agreed.
 An Annoying Woman
 His noncommittal tone annoyed her. She had intended to lead him tactfully toward the subject that was in her mind. Instead she decided now to strike at once. She made herself comfortable in the one easy-chalr and motioned to him to take an up right chair directly in front of her. When Ee had done this, she asked him an abrupt question.
 Kenneth, what is the matter with your"
 He replied promptly. T am not aware that there is anything the matter with me except that my arm and shoulders are still bit stitf and sore, and that, perhaps, 1 am not quite as strong as l was before my accident"
 "stop fencingw she commanded. You know perfectly well that l do not refer to your physical condition. I mean. what is the +fhatter with you mentally-or spiritually-or what ever you choosstto call 1t? I have never seen any che more changed than you are.
 Tn what way?"
 In your manner. There is but one excuse for your alterations of cheerfulness and apparent diseon- tent. That is that you are in love. 1 sincerely hope that is the ease. It Is what l have desired. 1 have had many disappointments in my life. It Is not necessary to go into particu- lars tbCut them. You may have sus- pected what they were. But 1 still hope-and believe-that my son will not disappoint me-"
 She paused. and Kenneth spoke: Pressing Her Point
 You mean"-he tried to make his tone level and ispassionate-'tha your happiness actually depends on my marrying?"
 "No-not if you were to marry some one who would hamper you or who would come between you and me. But I do mean that if you mar ry the girl to whom you have paid most marked attentions all this time, the girl whom 1 could love as a daughter, I shall be as near happiness as I can ever hope to be in this life"
 Why?
 Beatrice Lang made movement of impdtience. Her sons calm, Ju- dicial bearing was getting on her nerves.
 What an absurd question: she exclaimed. There is no use in our mincing matters. You know why your union with Victoria Walsh would please me. In the first place, she is charming-by far the handsomest t and most popular girl you have ever met. She moves in excellent society. ''Yes, 1 mean ftp as she noted a slight elevation of her sons brows- that is, excellent society for town like Saxville. Her marriage to you would give her the entree into such a circle as l was born in-and as I introduced your father to. He, by the way, certainly raised himself by his marriage. Before that he"
 If you please" her son interrupt ed--"we will leave my fathers name out of this discussion. Whatever circle he was born in. he was a gentleman through and Through. If could follow in his footsteps, I could ask nothing better for myself"
 Beatrice Lang bit back the retCrt that sprang to her lips. It was not a part tof her present, scheme to argue with this. man about his dead father. She seemed to catch eagerly at Ken neth's last remark.
 And that is just what you will do if you marry Victoria Walsh, Her money will take you anywhere. It will assure your future for you. It will give me daughter who will comfort me in my old age. It will satisfy my ambitions for you, my only son."
 He spoke slowly. Even if she