THE PENALTY OF FAME.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1931, Page 13

THE PENALTY OF FAME.

It is only human to desire fame, but you must remember the trials famous folk have to bear. Here are a’ few of the worst things you would have to do if you were a public pet or, ae some people put it, a public pest: Give an opinion upon any subject under the cun, from the uee of lipstick, to the habits of the mongocse. Know what to say to a first-class boy scout, a publicity-seeking mayor, or a, hero-worshipper who wants a lock of your hair. Know exactly what to say when a Microphone is thrust into your face, and how to appear moderately goodlooking and intelligent when a cameraman says: “Just a moment please!” Deal with hundreds of letters, telegrams, postcards, letter-cards, and parcels, every morning for ,at least five weeks. Fly in all manner of horribly unsafelooking flying machines; ride on the footplates of railway engines, and drive by the side of maniacs in charge of fast motor-cars. Talk to Princes and other mighty fo’.k. Shake hands 400 times a day for a period of six weeks or longer. (Try shaking hands with a party of 20 friends, and then magnify the pain in your hand 20 times.) Try to look like an ordinary citizen when everyone ia looking at you, giggling, finding fault with your clothes, and” searching for fountain-pens, and pencils with which to get you to sign the name you have already signed hundreds of times during the .past 24 hours. Now go ahead and achieve fame if you dare!