Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-08-27
One BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.
BY KENRIDGE.

The studio looked unusually dull
and dreary, with it's dirty, paint
bedaubed easel and the one solitary
broken old chair that did duty for
artist and visitor alike. But then there
were never any visitors, so George
Ellison did not trouble himself much
on that score. He would even have
liked to risk little modification for
the sake of seeing some one else be-
sides the scrub-woman and janitor en-
ter that dingy room.
1t was square, box-like room
quite unlike any ideal one would form
of an artists studio. OF course there
were pictures lying around, and the
collection was increasing only too rap
idly, for he worked assiduously day
after day. l
"I've got enough to stock the whole
Exposition" he muttered, moodily, as
he stood contemplating the last picture
on his easel--a landscape which showed
some fair traces of genius. "Fact
is" he went on, as his careful
eye noted its defects, that tree
painting is not my forte, If 1
could only sell few of these and hire
q model-the kind of model want
why, then I'd get on good deal faster
thon I'm doing now."
He was q young fellow OF only
twenty-tree who had worked his way to
Chicago from a country town, where
he had gained the rudiments of the art
to which he intended to devote his life.
The old artist who had instructed him
L. 1ayula1 Iia wind NTH xr.otano
of the wealth and reputation to be
made in large city, that he had come
to Chicago with any amount of hope,
which, however, was beginning to
wane, as the weeks passed by and he
still remained unnoticed and unknown.
He began to think that the people of
Chicago had no appreciation of the fine
arts that it was true what. envious
Eastern cities said of them-that they
cared more for stocks and pork-pack-
ing than for The refnements of civilized
life.
One day. feeling more than usually
discouraged, he stopped work quite
early, and sauntered forth to get what
fresh air he could on the crowded
thoroughbred on which the window of
his studio opened.
AS he came down the east stairway to
the entrance, two ladies were just
emerging from the jewelry store at its
side. He did not see them, but they
noticed him, and the younger one
gaZed at him with curiosity that was
not altogether unfriendly.
II wonder who he is, Nell" she
whispered, nudging her companions
elbow. "His clothes certainly didn't
come from Ely's. From the fit Of them
he's evidently made them himself, one
would think, for such fearfully baggy
pantaloons never, saw, not even on
the poorest beggar."
Don't talk so loudly--he might hear
you. It's no business of ours-the fit
of his clothes Is that Cottage Grove
car coming?" ia
The object of this conyersation was
still standing in the doorway, looking
dreamily upon the moving mass before
him.
"And if 1 could afford to hire a
model" the two heard him mutter,
where on earth would get oneP Not
in this city. Chicago has some fine
looking women, but I've yet to see one
beautiful woman"
Mrs. Colby gave her. sisters arm a
gentle tap with her parasol. III
"There-Ethel, listen, and do not
waste your sympathy on him any more.
He deserves to wear baggy pantaloons
all his life long, iust for that miserable
TRADE against Chicago women
~Alas, that / am not endowed with
sufficient beauty to prove his terrible
mistake to him, murmured Ethel, as
she signaled the car-driver,
mo one with pug nose could hope
to do that, even il she has got good
eyes and q decent sort of mouth, !"
said her sister cruelty, and the CONVEX
sation dropped at that point.
But Ethel Harbridge did not forget
that pathetic figure standing in the
doorway by Matson'sj' and In few
days she resolved to go past the place
again. There was not the slightest
chance of seeing him, she kept repeat
ing to herself as she neared her desti-
nation, and laughed at the absurd whim
which had brought her. But che came
across him, notwithstanding her opin-
ion Of the contrary, and, strange to say,
was not at all disappointed at the fail
ure of her prediction.
He was, Just going up the stairway
with a small bundle under one arm,
through the end of which she saw q
palette and some brushes sticking out.