Daily Republican., 1886-11-27

A correspondent of the St Louis
Globe-Democrat, writing from At
lanta, Ca, says; A curious story is
circulating here about ex-President
Hayes and his late visit TO Atlanta.
Mr.. M. C. Kiser, very wealthy
merchant, who has place on Peach
tree street, had large space on his
drawing room walls which be was
anxious to fill with picture About
year ago he employed Mr. j. Ii.
Moser, local artist, TO paint him pic
lures of the Presidents of the United
States. The heads were about 3x1O
inches each, inclosed in gilt panels
about 12x15. The artist proceeded
with his work without interruption
until he had finished painting Presi-
dent Grant. Then a struggle began
between the partisan and the artist
Mr.. Kiser insisted on having Hayes
picture painted in the next panel in
such small size as would express his
thorough contempt for what he con.
sidered that gentleman's usurpation
In the next panel he demanded that
Tilden should be painted fully one
third larger than any other head on
the board. The artist demurred, but
the partisan persisted Three separate
times was the head of the unhappy
Hayes rubbed out, and reduced in size
until it was hardly larger than q
hickory-nut. Having thus expressed
his contempt, Mr.. Kiser, with growing
exultation. had Mr.. Tilden painted alb
normally large. Garfield, Arthur and
Cleveland were next painted regulation
size, the artist discharged, the paint
ing put up and an artistic triumph
scored for Atlanta. This picture was
so popular that a church festival was
held one night in the house, with 'ten
cents admission to see the pictures of
the Presidents" On such occasion
the hickory nut headed Mr.. Hayes was
treated with contumely and derision
by the passing parishioners.
When Mr.. Hayes came to the
Prison Congress Mr.. Kiser, as lead
ing citizen, was thrown much in his
company. Mr.. Hayes talked for him
at his Sunday school, and Mr.. Kiser
became enamored of the fraudulent"
President. Being a most hospltable
man, he was desirious of taking Mr..
Hayes to his home, when he was sud.
denly confronted with the memory of
his partisan picture. To force the
crisis, Mr.. Hayes expressed a desire
TO visit his new made friend at his
home, whereupon Mr.. Riser went into
perfect perspiration. Frientyewere
consulted as to what was bef0 20 be
done. One gentleman suggested that
Mr.. kiser at once secure the services of
Mr.. Mauk, q well. known house paint !
er, who yields very active brush,
and have Mr.. Hsyes's diminutiye head
enlarged into respectable proportions. |
The objection to this was that perhaps
Mr.. Hayes might pat his own picture
with his fingers and discover that the
paint was still wet. This plan in,
volyed, too, pairing down Mr. Tilden's
head, which in aggressive size looked
unwinkjngly at the hickOrynut head
of his rival. Some one else suggested
that q magnifying glass might oe
skilltully arranged in front of Mr..
Hayes's picture, so that it would ap-
pear TO be even larger than Mr.. Til
denis; but, as no concave magnifying
glass could be found, this plan was
abandoned. In short, Mr.. Kiser was
unable to CRAFTY the desire of Mr..
Hayes to see the interior of his home
Mr.. Kiser's pressing and abundant
hospitality on the streets, in the Sun
day schools, restaurants and hotels
must have caused Mr.. Hayes to won
der that 1t did not extend TO his home,
especially as, when frequently driven
past it, he saw it was one OF the hand
soonest houses IN the city. Not until
he reads this account of the matter
will he understand why he was not
invited to put his legs under Mr..
Kiser's hospitable mahogany.