Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-30


Elanda walked into the program
directors office with q large bun
die. She tossed 1t on his desk, pert
ly:
M. Fiske, I brought you q little
present."
H looked at 1t In establishment:
"You-what? It looks Ike q
Christmas turkey"
Elanda sat down on the edge OF
her chair while he united the string.
His excl lation of amazement was
so violent that Elanda laughed.
1t ' hundreds OF letters-ad-
dressed 70 Miss Elanda Lee or TO
Miss La Paloma." Fiske sat back
his hand OH his forehead-weakly.
IN bel When did thse come IMP"
They all came in since Friday
night when ! san Suwanee Golfers
song. I think people have suddenly
gone crazy. But there you are.
Now don't say ! never brought you
any fan mail"
Fiske shook his head and began
to read. In a little while he looked
up:
Did you count them?"
Il stopped when I got to over four
huncsGd," Elanda shrugged. "I'm no
certified public accountant. There
must be nearly twice that many"
He sat back and drummed on his
desk. But 1t was not violently this
time. And he did not seem so cold
as she had always found him.
You see" he reminded her, II
don't like to say I told you So
That's a woman's phrase. But it's
true, Miss Lee. You wouldn't have
lasted any longer than your con-
tract If you hadn't come down 70
earth and spoken the language OF
the fifty million Americans who
can't be wrong"
She agreed. making a little face:
II suppose you're right. But It
takes a lot Of nerve when you've
always said you positively wouldn't
do something, then get into a tight
place where you have TO. ! hope I
wasn't sassy. But I certainly died a
thous nd deaths when ! took the
first plunge.
You ike it now. don't you?" he
leaned over and looked at her close
". Lock at mel You were Just
being smartie, weren't your"
He see I'd in such a friendly,
honest mood, that Elanda coy'da't
fib t him. She looked up slyly:
Il like the fan mail-yes. But I'm
not saying 1 don't think your fifty
million Americans who can't be
wrong shouldn't have better taste"
How some people do suffer for
their art" he roared. agreeably, and
lit a cigarette and leaned back puff
fling speculatively.
He blew a ring and smiled:
Thus by little quirks of fate are
peoi made famous. I suppose you
know that, In so far as a radio car
eer is concerned. you are practically
made. Providing you keep it up.
You've found your cue. Stick TO IL.
Cut out the stuff that's over your
head. You haven't the voice"
Elanda gasped at his frankness
and felt an angry retort coming 70
her lips. But he stopped her:
My child, you're too young-and
you haven't had the training. We
hav- some OF the most celebrated
Metropolitan opera prima donnaS of
this age signed up to compete against
little girl singers like you. The COM
petition is too severe. You might
be a great prima donna some day.
But 1t woul1 take years more OF
study.
I'm not telling you not to keep on
with the better things. But ! doubt
that you are c Bori or a Ponsella.
I'm saying it in a spirit of the deep
est gratitude for the way you have
saved Dur La Paloma program Bury
your foolish, childish pride and Groom
your way to fame and fortune.
In the four months your La
Paloma program has to run I'll
make you an artist in your line that
can command a thousand dollars a
week. This isn't empty chatter. I'll
have Suwanee Collier coach you.
He'll be happy to do 1t. He knows
more about what the public wants
than any other man in radio today.
He has proved it In his own career"
That was wormwood and gall TO
Elanda-the last few words. SUI
vance to coach herl True. 1t had
been his own song that had, in one
0ening. saved her from defeat, but
she certainly didn't feel she could
bear the thought Of her whole career
depending upon him.
When she remained silent, Fiske
went on:
1T Will be easy 70 find three num-