Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-05-15

Some Incidents in the Early Career of
the Noted Sculptor.

Some Incidents in the Early Career Of
the Noted sculptor.
From The Boston Transcript
Mr.. Rogers was the eighth child in 9
family of nine children, and came int
the world July IL, 1922, his birthplace
being near the village of Waterloo
Seneca county, N. Y. His parents were
humble people, his father being a car.
penter by trade, who, by habits of in
dustry and frugality, succeeded in max
ing a respectable livelihood. Several
years later the father removed his family
to Ann ArbOr. Mich. Here Randolph at
tended school until his twelfth year,
when longing desire to earn, even at
that early period, a living for himself,
came over him, and he left his books
never to return to them again. He secur-
ed place i'm bakery of the town, and
it would appear that, at this time in his
life, the ambition TO be something more
than baker began to possess his soul,
since, besides acquiring the ability to
shape dough into bread and cake, he
learned to fashion various figures such
as do not pertain to the prehistoric art.
He became an expert in drawing carica-
lures. He was an industrious lad, al
, ways occupying even his hours of free
dom from work, in sketching with his
pen and pencil.
Leaving the bakery after few months
service. he took a position in grocery
store. In the year 1913, unaSsisted by
others. he obtained a situation i'm silk
house i'm New York owned by John Stuart,
Jr. Here, when not occupied with the
duties belonging to his employment. he
continued to pursue the bent of his gen.
ius. He slept in the store of his employ
[er, who, going to his room one day after
business hours, observed several pieces
of small statuary scattered about the
apartment among which was beautiful
bust of Lord Byron in marble.
Randolph" asked his employer,
where did you get these?" referring to
the works of art around him.
"Oh, 1 made them," was the reply,
uttered in a modest tone of voice.
But how could you do it, and where
did you find time to accomplish such
results?" continued Mr.. Stuart.
AT night, after working hours, sir"
was the answer.
But surely you didn't execute this
bust of Byron, did your" said the former,
pointing to the beautiful creation before
him.
"Yesr' returned Rogers, while an ex-
preston of modest pride passed over his
face.
as it indeed true that you have this
gift i'm so high degree?" remarked Mr..
Stuart as he gazed on the face of the
poor clerk.
"All can say" returned Rogers, "is
that love the art"
But why don't you follow it and be-
come SCULPTOR"
For the simple reason, sir, have no
money with which to help myself. Should
take up art as profession, feel that
l should have to 60 abroad to Italy, where
art is pursued in manner to achieve
the grandest results. How can I-pOOr
as am-gO to Italy?"
"HOw much money would you want to
help you in such cOurser' inquired
Stuart.
Hesitating a moment. Rogers said, Il
think $500 would be sufficient"
you shall have it," said his friend.
with smile, "and if, after you are gone,
you want more, do not hesitate to ask
me for it.
with heart beating with joy, the
future artist threw his arms about the
neck of his benefactOr and burst into
tears. Proceeding at once to Florence,
Rogers placed himself under teaching
sculptor of the city. where he remained
for time. But at length impatient of
greater results, he opened an humble
studio for himself, where he toiled ear
nestly and studiously in, the art which
ere long should bring him rich returns.
At the expiration of six years the
young sculptor sailed for his native land.
His residence abroad had enabled him to
accomplish much, and the future seemed
full of rare promise. Indeed, he had
been very successful, for he was now
able to repay his generous benefactOr
and to have left i'm his own right the
considerable sum of $4,000. Hewas now
recognized, both at home and abroad, as
a rising artist.