Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1885-04-18
TILTED.

Ctduuo Mcliici, JOuHH dTtlSU
sat in his studio in New York on,
morning, putting the finishing
touches to the life size portrait of s
young lady. He~was undoubtedl,
talented; but, as the saying goes
"his father was born before him.
Melner, senior, was a we'll known
and apparently well to.do portal,
painter, whose pictures fetched
handsome prices. The son inherit
ed IA share of his fathers artistic
genius, buS had not yet been com
PEELED to struggle with the world
lie the latter, to fully develop the
gift. lie had never known the ur
hill work of the friendless aspirant
for fame. His life had hitherto
been smooth and nneventful. The
fathers surplus business had quiet.
ly flowed into the sons studio.-
Claude had thus managed to get a
name among a certain class, which
true judges of art would not have
awarded him; and to make enough
to keep him afoat-when his own
earnings were added to the fire.
quent presents that came out of the
too ready purse Of doting parents
to their only, and in some respects
spOilt, son.
So Claude painted leisurely. He
was never in hurry to push pic.
tire, or to demand payment for 1t.
His bread and butter were sure,
even if they were not the fruit of
his own exertions. He had only
himself to care for. There was no
wife and child in the background
clamoring for food, clothing and
shelter. AS vet he regarded his
palette and brush more as play
things than az instruments by
which to carve his way unaided to
fame and fortune; neither of which
held ont any attraction for him.
Appreciative Of industry in others,
he disliked it himself. He was
genial and much liked by his
brother artists, who considered him
lucky fellow, likely to inherit
wealth, even If he did not attain his
fathers professional success. Sew
eral of them envied him, for Lucy
Blake, one CT the prettieSt girls in
New York, WAS his betrothed. In
deed, it was her portrait that he
was then completing. But though
Claude was deeply in love he had
not the divine "aff1atus" and devo-
ton to his work which marks the
true master, and ultimately makes
him tower above his fellow students
in the world OF art. His was more
the occasional "dilettante" pencil
ing of the amateur than the steady
application of the professional. And
parties and the park claimed a coli
siderable share of his time, espe
cially since his engagement to
Lucy.
While thus employed on the por.
trait of his "fance," Claude was
mentally busy IN builtlIng-not art
but love castles in the air; and
thinking Of his approaching wed
ding aud marriage tour with his
bride, over the art galleries OF Eu.
rope; for he knew that Lucy-her.
self Of literary turn-was as anx,
iouS az himself to reyeI in their
beauties.
GA telegram for you, sir" said a
boy in uniform, opening the door
suddenly after knocking
await a moment" said Claude,
annoyed at being interrupted in
retouching a delicate flesh tint.
"lt's marked Sin haste sir: and
l think you'd better read it," con.
tinued the boy.
This made Claude take and open
it. 1t was from his mother, and
ran thus:
"Your father is dead. Dropped
suddenly in the street an hour age
from apopIeSy. Come home i'm.
mediately. Lam distracted il
To his disappointment and the
great surprise of everybody, the old
gentleman died very poor. leaving
only . comparatively small sum in
the bank and a little real estate,
barely enough to support his widow
for the remainder of her days.
Claude was thrown suddenly on
his own resources. But what Of
thati With Lucy to cheer and spur
him on, he believed that he could
do wonders, and, at least, earn
enough to keep them in moderate
comfort.
But misfortunes seldom come
alone. He had been reckoning
without his host. The course Of
true love is often rugged and IN
pleasant. AS Claude sat in hi'
studio one afternoon, a month later
somewhat buster than before-fol
he had now his own bread to win
and often found it hard WORK Il
make both ends meet, especially al
he bad no father to send him stra,
customers-a tap came to the dool
which made him start, for he knep
the knock, and rashed toward it al
it was opened by Lucy Blake.
"I'm glad you have come, Lucy,
lie said, "as Iso much want you t.
see this head. 1t is purely ideal
the Infant jesus l call it. Wha
do you think of it7"
1T is very good. But like mos
artists. Won have made the fac