Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-05-31
A BORN ARTIST.

From the summer in which the Bar
berrys took a young artist to board with
them, who, when he went away, pre-
sented his paintbox to the admiring boy
who had followed him about from dawn
until dark, peace fled the Barberry resi-
dence. Fences, barn-doors, halls
goodness only knows what bore trace
of figures, flowers, trees, cows, and
buildings in all coors Of the rainbow.
When scolded, Barbarry, Junior, only
replied, "Well, then, give me canvases
and paint brushes. l want to be
painter"
"What kind of a business does thee
think painting would be for man p
asked Quaker Grandmother Barberry.
"To sit twiddling thy fingers all day at
at easel If thee doesn't want to be a
farmer, we'll prentice thee to thy uncle
Charles, the halter. That's light and
easy, and thee is delicate."
So the Barberrys, taking counsel to-
gether, decided that grandmother had
had "call to speak," and placed Dud-
ley with the halter.
He worked patiently enough, but
painted more than ever in the evenings,
for Uncle Charles was liberal, and he
had little money of his own in those
days.
On Christmas he came home, and was
received kindly, and found his little
cousin Clara in the house--an orphan IN
black frock, whose parents had been
lost at sea-
The child liked the boy very much,
and he painted her old dolls face into
new beauty for her, and put a red flower
on the back of the dolls chair.
She admired his work very much as
he had admired that of the artist who
had given him his first colors. He was
hero to her, and genius, as well as
the kindest boy living.
Wandering about the house one day,
he found great pottery pie-disb, and,
forgetting its purpose, spent whole
bright morning painting upon it splash
ing but spirited likeness of his mothers
favorite geranium, which stood in pot
on stand.
II was wonderful success in the eyes
OF little Clara and, indeed, it was not
bad, for little practice goes good way
with born artist, and winter of study
without a master had greatly improved
the young fellows work.
You're great, great artist, Dudley" +"
said Clara. 81 think you will be famous
some day. I've read the Lives of
Famous Painters The big brown book
In the case in the parlor. When you are
grown up, Dudley, you will remember
what say"
She was IS, Dudley was 16. He lifted
mp his head from his work and looked
at her.
Z" II ever I am, Clara" he SAID, ~
nope shan't have TO remember you. |
hope you'll be there where am. l
never knew anybody before who under
stood me-"
A voice sharp and shrill with anger
moSe IN upon the pleasant talk--Annt
Martha's voice" Gee-rusalem Dudley
has fpoiled the biggest pie-dish !"
That afternoon Quaker Barberry
whipped Dudley. That evening the
10y di@ not come to supper. Later on.
Wien the moon hal risen, little Clara,
who bad gone to her own room to cry,
heard n tapping at the window. She
orened It and looked out. Dudley stood
there.
Cara" be said, "tell me-do you
mink il was right that should be
whipped at my age"
Right" sobbed Clara. "Oh, it
was "icked---very wicked |"
No one shall e-sr do il again." said
p"dley "Clara, am going TO be q
real artist. It's in me, I know, and,
"'ht forget me. Clara; I'll come back ;
"'' Oh, Clara, I cannot bear to leave
you."
Leaning over the sill, the child put
Nef insoceat arms about the boys neck.