The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-22
AN EASTER CARD.

0lS -d4AO AAO O4AASOs
aWhat can girl do in our days" exclaimed
Apnes Clement petulantly. The speaker
rested her elbows on the table and gazed at
the lamp.
Opposite was sister Anne, calm, matronly,
selfsatisfed, nending baby's pinafore.
@Plenty Of occupation may be found In
your profession, if would seek it" replied
sister Anne, biting off her thread and form
ing a new Knot. Painting china, designing
wood cuts, even coloring photographs"
Agnes raised her head with flashing eyes
"Oh, why do you not add taking In wash
ing, or .scrubbing down the stairs| she cried,
with scorn and anger.
GThat Is the difficulty" continued sister
Anne, with unruffled composure. "You are
impatient and -despise the beginning. One
cannot spring into full-fedged artist at one
bound. Pray how did 'the great European
artists commence, about whom you are SO
fond of reading? Very modestly, promise
youn
Agnes made no immediate response. In
stead. she rufied her blonde hair with her
hands, and stared moodily at the lamp. The
room was plain, and the noise OF the street
below was audible in the tinkling Of car
bell and the rattle of carts on the pavement.
Located on one Of the wide business avenues
OF the city of New York, this modest home
of a clerk with slender salary held dis
similar elements united by close relationship
" could not obtain any Of the work you
propose, if I tried" resumed the young artist.
aThere are moro applicants than labor in all
fields and in every land"
"True," sighed sister, Anne, mindful that
week of illness would replace her husband at
the store by a dozen eager competitors In
need Of bread.
A KEY was inserted in neighboring door,
and the object Of her solicitude entered, bring
iup keen gust Of winter air with him. The
husband of sister Anne was brisk little
man, with shrewd blue eyes, haxen hair and
q SPOT of red on either cheek bone. Hegreeted
his family cheerfully, while unwinding silk
handkerchief from his throat
@pve got something for you In my pocket,
Aggy," he said to his sister-in-law. "ths
very thing for you" ..:
She looked at him with faint smile.
eyes; came on it quite by accident, I
may say-riding up town in the car, he pur-
sued, with animation. Then he unfolded a
newspaper and placed his finger on para
graph The trio read together the following
advertisement:
pREMIUM offered OF 800 for best design CT Easter
are s9FS rSaaeSod tSs T to ptescnt thsr applications
Sister Anne read over the shoulder Of her
husband. @What chance for you, Agnes!"
she said. u am confident you would win the
prize. One hundred dollars, too"
aLsng & Co. are the great lthographers,
YOU lnow," supplemented the husband. u
saw ii by the merest chance in column OF
advertisements Nothing like reading the
papers"
Agnes studied the paragraph and made no
comment. She grew pale and her. eyes
darkened ominously. One would have in
ferrod that she had received some affropt,
but restrained her indignation. Finally she
roso and took the journal In her hand
aTllank you and good night" che said
dryly.
aIs she ofendedl" demanded the little man
puzzled.
aShe is very silly" said sister Anne, rather
tartlJ, as she poured cup of tea for him.
Agnes went to her room, locked the door,
knelt beside the bed and burst into tears. A
prize given by photographer was offered 70
her competition. She had dreamed Of fame
and artistic excellence. Instead Of the
mountain peak where she had longed to
plant her standard, the slough Of the valley
Of poverty was destined to engulf her. Oh,
the scorching tears Of Encouragement and
humiliation which fell from her eyes! At
length she rose and lighted the gas jet in
order to again read the detested advertise
ment Her room was cold and BARE par
taking Of the characteristics of studio
rather than the abode Of q woman. In one
corner the iron bedstead was concealed by q
screen, with tiny mirror suspended near it;
oppasite, stove reached with its rusty pipe
to shelf holding several plaster busts. The
windows opened on a glass covered pinzza, the
sanctuary Of the easel Here the artist indulged
in reveries, or wrought with pencil and
brush, forgetful of all else, and obivious OF
the vicinity of laundress who employed
tho next glass-covered piazza for the purpose
of drying Gnen-a practical industry, which
brought in far more satisfactory returns, In
payment, than did the color box Of Agnes
Clement. The latter sought the spot now,
and seated herself on the cole chair il
boosted mechanically. A large canvas was
pTOppeQ against Gne Wol, Iepi eseaoiio q AAo
size Beatrice in Paradise" beckoning to
shsdowy Dante. Agnes had concentrated
the labor, ambition and hopes Of years ap
plication in this bold attempt, had entered
tho lists valiantly for exhibition in the Ma
tic.na1 Academy of Design and suffered the
cruel blow of rejection Beyond was ar
"Opheia" with yellow hair, who had shared
similar fate the previous year. These
lovely heroines languished in the obscuritJ
of the glass piazza without ever having me-
the approving smile of an appreciative
public Oh, the cold selfshness of the world
ard the wilful blindness Of hanging com
mittees and art critics! For tho first tlmt
Agnes found the smile Of Beatrice insip!d anc
her gaze vacant. A doubt chilled her heart
Luckily she turned the picture to the wall
and sought the easement, gazing forth int
the night rather than longer contemplate he1
own work.
The piazza, located in the rear of the noisy
avenue, overlooked the houses Of the mex
street. These residences were aristocratlc IL
rronortion nc their neirhborS were humble