The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-12-18
THE ARTISTS ROMANCE.

THE ARTISTS ROMANCE.
Alfred Hart was an artist, as vet un-
known to fame. He had sent picture
to the Acadumy; and it had been re-
fused. Nowise cast down by this fail
ure, he resolved to try again. He
called himself persevering; his friends
called him obstinate; and his enemies
said that he had mistaken his vocation,
and ought to have been house painter.
Our hero had his fair share of con-
ceit, and, believing in himself, laughed
at his friends aud dispised his enemies.
1t must be confessed that as far as
outward appearance went. Alfred Hart
looked every inch an artist-that is,
the popular idea of one-with his long
hair, soft hat and velvet coat.
Disguised with the bad taste of the
Academy" Alfred Hart betook him
self to the seaside, after writing a furi
Gus article on favoritism to the news
paper, which was not inserted.
Some day, Alfred Hart felt, he would
be appreciated; but, in the meantime,
he would have probably starved, had it
not been for a maiden aunt who allow
ed him so much month in order that
he might pursue his studies.
He had been pursuing his studies a
very long time-being now, when our
story opens, thirty-seven.
Alfred Hart, on arriving at the sea-
side, went immediately in search of a
lodging, his artistic paraphernalia un-
der his arm.
At the first house he presented him
self he had a very unnleasent rebuff.
you're an artist! No, thank youi"
said the landlady, 81 couldn't take you
i'm
"Why not?" asked our hero.
because" said the landlady, put
ting her arms akimbO, I've heard that
artists don't pay"
''Ycu are very insulting, madamr'
Grid Alfred Hart, Indignantly. who
made such scandalous libel on our
honorable profession?"
"I'm a plain-spoken woman" went
on the landlady, land | speak out
straight. My sister once let her rooms
to an artist"
And the result?'
"Was that he never paid! I'd much
rather take a pork-butcher than an az
tist, and that's the truthn.-
There is a black sheep in every
flock" observed Alfred Hart. Il can
assure you that | always pay my way"
IF that's the case" said the sharp
seaside landlady, you'll have no OBJ
lection to paying in advence.
None at allr' said Alfred grandly,
for he had just received a remittance
from the aunt before mentioned. "Ill
paw you in advance if the apartments
suit. Let lie see them"
This way, SIR" observed Mrs. Law,
little more ciyiily. Mind the steps,
the passage is rather dark"
The rooms suited Alfred Hart very
well. and he took them there and then.
being an artist" said Mrs. Law, as
she stood in the parlor by the window,
''you will enjoy the view."
The view consisted of a long line of
mud. for the tide had run out.
"Yesi l shall be very comfortable
here, no doubt" said Alfred, sinking
into an armchair that had broken
spring. II suppose you have been here
too long to enjoy the prospect.
Mrs. Law confessed that she didn't
see much in if herself, as she ratified
the 1.-TWO weeks in advance" in her
pocket.
When alone, when Mrs. Law had
left the apartment, Alfred took the
wrapper from the rejected picture, and
gazcd upon it.
He was looking at it still when Mrs.
Law entered the room bringing in the
tea things Now, Mrs. Law was a
woman of the world, and understood
peoples weaknesses
..Why, what a beautiful picturen'
she cried, lifting up her hands in af.
fectcd admiration. 'Did you draw
that, sirp''
"Yesr' said Alfred, with a pardona-
BILE glow of pride. Il painted that
picture"
ats Just lovely!" Grid Mrs. Law.
''Mrs. Law" cried the gratitied ar,
tist, ..you are a woman of sound dis,
cernment! You have soul! You can
appreciate art! Shake hands with me,
madam"
Mrs. Law readily acquiesced; the
artist looking very happy indeed.
"Never saw such daub in my life, y
observed Mrs. Law, when in the pass
age; ..but it don't do no harm to flat.
ter dodgers up. I'll charge him some,
thing for extras"
That night Alfred Hart had happy
dreams, despite the hardness of his bed
He dreamed that he was President o.
the Royal Academy, and that he would
| allow no pictures there but his own
| He awoke too soon to the hard reali
| ty, and went down to his breakfast
| which consisted of weak tea, and few
diminutive shrimps, and not very in
yiting bread and butter.
After breakfast our hero went for ;
stroll by the ever-restless sea, the wine
blowing his long hair over his head.
A few excursionists made some un
complimentary remarks about ALFRED
Hart; but he, being used to them, tool
no notice. beyond casting disdainfu
glances at the low creatures.
He had proceeded on his way abou
half-a- mile, when he came upon
young lady who, not knowing tina
anyone was in sight, was seated on
rock busily engaged in taking som
stones out of her sand shoe, and, In $
doing, revealing a charming ankle.
Now, our hero was, as we know,
man OF artistic taste, and, therefore
gazed upon the girl with admiring eye:
thinking that he would much like t
paint her in that very attitude.
That afternoon, as he was having hi
dinner, the same young lady passed hi
window.
do YOU know her?" asked Alfre
abruptly, looking at his landlady VIII
was pouring him out a glass of ale.
'Who?"
THAT young lady who has Just pas