The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-11-20

good fairy Of his clay studio = be Joe,
and sacred treasure to her, the farewell
smile of the boy-sculptor.
Until now Joe Irwin's life had been
sweet and pleasant, although one of pri-
vation. Arrived in New York, he found
himself, as it were, in another world
A few days passed in fruitless searches
| for-be knew not what. His money was
soon exhausted he was bewildered by
the whirl Of life around him, in which he
seemed to have no part, yet he did not
despair His mind was not made Of that
weak stuff which disappointments over
whelm. He was was proud, not Of his
genius, but in his genius. and would not
give up until he at least made fair effort
to overcome the difficulties of his situa-
ton, which might have paralyzed a spirit
less determined. As he walked along
the streets he hummed the air he had
learned at the village-school-'' Try, try
again, and took for his motto that of
his native State. Ercelsior."
Joe's eye was constantly on the look
out for something to do. He was eating
his last penny worth of bread, when he
saw man carrying load of plaster ina
ges, crossing the Park. After following
him some time, he attracted his attention,
and boldly asked, Do you make those
figures yourself 2"
The willy figure merchant did not give
direct. reply, but drew from Joe his sto-
ry, little by little, learned how utterly
miserable he was, and promised to help
him. Joe was but half pleased with the
proposals he made, but what could he do?
He was almost starved, and he would
neither steal nor beg.
The next day found Joe perambulating g
the streets with board on his head, load
ed with plaster figures Of doubtful pro
{priety or beauty, which he cried in a
husky voice, after the manner of his fell
low-venders-"I Images ! Images -
He soon learned that these plaster men
and women were made in moulds, as he
had seen his mother make tallow candles,
and felt thoroughly disgusted with his
business. 1t was indeed very different
employment from fashioning by skill and
perseverance the beautiful figures he had
pictured in his day-dreams.
! Heartily weary of recommending his
"sham wares" Joe placed several of his
own clay statuettes among the plaster i'm
ages, and was so fortunate as to attract
the notice of real artist to his skil,fully
formed figures. The painter, recogniz
ing the kindred genius of the Imag'
Boy" soon succeeded in rescuing hin
from the tyrannical rule of the figure
merchant, and placed him upon the higl
road to fame. He became the owner o
block of marble, yeritable chisel, ant
an excellent collection of works treatins
of his art. His progress, in public opin
i ion, however, did pot, by far, keep pac
with his real improvement. In val
Louiee Welton watched for his name j
! the public journals the long summe
S passed, and the winter too, still no men
tion was made of any young sculptor
. who might be the future glory. of Rose
d lyn. @ aa
Mr.. Welton laughed ironically whe
: his daughter talked Of the boy sculptor
d and daily became more displeased wit
n her romantic attachment TO the clay stu
dio. Louiee soon learned to mentio
e Joe Irwin's name only when at the co
tage of his mother. Mrs. Irwin seldol
i. heard from her son. but when letter
IS came they were full Of kindness, ar
J. cheered her for many long day,
u AS years passed. and still Joseph /
4 win did not return to his native vilIag
le the people concluded that his schem
" had failed, and many strange repor
er. were brought home by the. young mt
he who now and then travelled out into Il