Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 11, Number 8, DeMotte, Jasper County, 9 January 1941 — Career [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Career

By EDGAR T. MONFORT

(McClure Syndicate—WNU Service;)

“HP HE performance at the High School Auditorium last night w’as a brilliant success. The out- j standing artist on the program was Miss Cecilia Gray. We feel safe in predicting that Grand Opera will j some day recognize her name. Cecilia simply could not read any further. Her' girlish face was suffused w’ith color and - her blue eyes j shone in ecstasy. From the minute she read the j newspaper notice she had a different attitude toward herself. She felt the responsibility bf her talent and the necessity for her to sacrifice hom'e and 1 rirtd ones that she might pursue her pareer. “It’s a gift},’ she told Joe Watson, ; her boy friend, "a gift that was given me by the Creator. I am destined j to have a cafeer,” “Where do: I come in?” he asked, suddenly frightened. “But don’t you see, dear, this is something I’m not responsible for. Don’t you understand?” ■ “No!” said Joe savagely. “I’m darned if I do. There’s no call great- J er than the call to marry a decent man when you’ve pledged yourself.” “You wouldn’t hold me to that?” she asked in surprise. “Oh, no, not at all. A little matter like that is nothing w’hen it comes to a career,” he answered, but his sarcasm w’as completely lost on Cecilia w’ho threw her arms around his neck. Reaching New York one cold winter evening she went straight to the Y.W.C.A. and after much pulling of wires she got a hearing with Signor Musanti, a teacher of moderate reputation but of great honesty. With confidence she started to sing a j dramatic aria that had brought the house down at Clearview*. For a second Musanti listened, then raised his hand. ‘Stop!” he commanded, jumping up and pacing the floor angrily, j You sound like a nanny goat. Go home—go home quick and wash dishes —anything but sing.” “There, there,” he said in quick sympathy, patting her heaving shoulders. “It happens all the time. I know/ A girl sings at some church i festival at home. The local papers flatter her, she swallow’s it, friends praise. She leaves home for a CAREER! Every week I get them. Now, buy a ticket and go home.” Cecilia felt herself being gently put out the front door, but there was healing in his kindness. With a gulp she swallow’ed her pride, took his advice and w’ent back home, but, on,,the train a plan of action came to her. Just out of New York she sent a telegram to Joe Watson: "I’m coming back tomorrow on No. Sixteen. So homesick for you Cecy.” _ %

And to this day Joe worships her for her devotion and she worships him for saving her pride. Only a snobbish few doubted her actions and notice how she shudders at the word career.