The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-09
Alice May.

Never saw SO many vases in my life
beforc2" observed Harry Elmer, staring
around at tho shelves. "Did not know 1t
was possible to make EN- into so many diff
fercnt shapes"
And, in truth; the exclamation was not
altogether uncallcd for. Great pompcian
vases of red clay stood in rows on the floor
high -shouldercd Etruscan vases, with
slender nccks and picturesque twisted han
dies, were arraycd on shclves-scverc
Greek outlined vases crowded the windows,
and dragon-shapcd jars clbowcd one
another in every nook and corner. And
our hero, looking confusedly around, with
his hands in his pockets, began almost to
feel as If he were changing into pottery
himself
''ls it for a LADY," said the brisk little
shopman.
sit is for my sister," said Harry Elmer
"a pair Of vases for her 6OutlOi7."
"Ah!" said the shopman, diving into Il
wilderness of red clay mouds shere ls the
very ing-slm-ncclSed and tall. Equally
suitable for bracket, a table, or draped
mantel"
Harry Elmer stared helplcsslv at the
vases.
81 want pictures on thcm," said he.
birds, tlowcrs beetles, or somcthing!"
The shopman shook his head at this.
"Wc only keep plain ware" said he.
"But can give you the address of young
person who paints them to order"
And he handed card across the counter.
''All right, " said Harry Elmer. "Give
me The vases"
And in less than five minutes he was in
search Of the place designated on his card.
"Oh, yes" the bakers wife on the first
floor asscntcd, cheerily; 'lhe young woman
who painted vases did live there. She
rented the third story back room, and
worked very hard, poor thing. If the gen
tlcman would walk up stairs, and knock at
the first door on the left, at the top of the
second flight of stairs, it would be all
right
And Harry Elmer stumbled up the dark
stairway.
"Comc IMP
And with final stumble, our hero found
himself IN little room where the sunshine
streamcd through ivy and wax plants, and
table in the middle was hcaped with half
decorated china, tubes of color, sheavcs of
brushes, and portfolios of sketches. or
course II was the modest little utelier of IN
unpretending artist-one could have pro-
nounced that at a glance. And, working
away at sketch of scarlcl-wngcd bird,
as If her very life depended on it, sat a
slender young girl, with scarf falling
away from her shoulders. and veil of
flaxcn hair dropping over her face.
She laid down her hair brush at this ap-
partition of the stranger.
81 beg your PARDON" stalnmcred Harry,
with an unaccountable sensation of embar.
rassmcnt; "but--are you the young woman
that paints vascs2
"Of course am2" said the golden haired
little artist. "Don't you see me painting
one now2'
:. II want these decorated" said Harry.
'Can get them done here2"
"Of course you can, said the girl, sur
veying them critically. "a nice shape.
pretty ware! Suitable for blue birds, orr
oles, should think"
"And what shall you charger"
"Five dollars EACH"
Isn't that good deal2" said Harry.
mot for piece Of artistic work." said
the girl. "Of course if you don't like the
price you can 60 elsewhere"
''You are very independent for al art
-ist;" said Harry, smiling in spite of him.
self.
"Why shouldn't an artist be as indcpen.
dent as anyone elsc9" said the young girl.
'Well," said Harry, "I'll leave them
and I'll call for them in q week"
every we'll, said the young lady.
''rhey shall be ready"
80 our hero took his departure, with the
deep, blue eyes Of the young artist haunt
Ing him as he went. II }6 3s5
1T must be q hard way, of earning one's