Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-18
"POT-BOILERS, +"
CHAPTER l.

Blindl
Nothing else would have mattered much
but he was blind-hopelessly blind.
He was an artist, and had caught cold
while out sketching. Inflammation had SET
in-gone to his eyes; and it was as if a
dead wall had been built right across his
path of life.
Ten years later it might have mattered
less, for the children would have been "out
OF hand;" but now, with six of them-the
eldest but nineteen and only girl; the
youngest seven-and no provision, it was a
black look out, indeed.
For Charles Lloyd was not genius He
had not even audacity, which does almost
true TO nature; but who on earth is satisfied
with natureP One might as well offer peo-
pie uncooked meat.
Christmas came, and the ready money
was gone. There were some pictures in the
studio, but not any finished; however, fin
ished or not, they must go. They packed
them up, and sent them to Mr.. Lloyd's
picture dealer, with q note 10 say they
would be willing to take low price, as the
pictures were unfinished, and they were the
last they would ever be able to send-a
touch of tragedy Janet thought they would
feel. She added she would be happy to
send some of her own drawings for their
approval; and awaited their orders with the
calm confidence of one who has not the
faintest idea of the struggle for existence.
Incredible! impossible 1t couldn't be
truel
"Messrs. Pink & Son are returning the
Woodland Scene and the Morning Walk,
by Mr.. Charles Lloyd, as they are sorry to
say the pictures are unsalable in their
present condition. They also beg to inform
Miss Lloyd that they are unable at present
to send her an order, as trade is very bad,
and they have large stock on hand.
Janet sat stupefied, with the letter in her
hand. Mother, the pictures are coming
backl Pinks won't have them. What in
the world are we to dor"
wont have them! Whatever do they
mean?"
II don't know; oh, 1 don't know-it's
dreadful-it's dreadful to think of" and
she started up distracted.
Jack was kneeling on q chair, his elbows
well on the table, and newspaper before
him. "Don't run away, Jenny; stop min
ute. There's something here. Listen.
TO Artists-Wanted: Pictures for expor-
tation. Price must be moderate. Apply,
Moses a Co., Borough
"Oh, Jack, let me see-how providentiall
What magnificent opening! Why, they'll
want dozens. Let's write at once; or per-
haps we had better 90, and then we can see
them and get to know all about it, and buy
the canvases and things" The reaction
was tremendous. Janet felt abundantly
happy;
"0hi with Jack it will be all right, mother;
besides, we shall really not have to mind
the thing any more"
So Janet and Jack went, and they found
"the Borough" then they turned out of that,
and up court found "Moses d Co."
Talk about the improvement of taste
Whoever will buy all the tea trays, wax
flowers, gorgeous time-pieces which those
warehouses contain is puzzle.
They were ushered into little back Of
fee to interview the buyer.
"PicturesP" said he shortly. "Yes; we'll,
I'll Just look at them. ! can tell att glance
whether they will do for u.s." He seemed
very rude and abrupt; but if they had only
known how tired the poor man was of
picturesl
"There," said Janet, picking out two of
her fathers, and putting them up with some
pride-they were so infinitely better than
those in the room.
They all looked at them a minute-the
man doubtless lost in admiration. At last
the girl looked round smiling, butthere was
no admiration to be seen; the man merely
screwed up his lips and shook his head.
Presently he took up one of her own
sketches-the worst long way. "This
might do; only it would want deal more
work in it,"
Certainly" she said anxiously. IL could
put any amount of work into it. don't
mind work"
~Don't youp Then dare say we shall
come 10 terms. You must throw a bridge
across the river"
"But there wasn't one"
"That doesn't matter; and you must put
an old woman in a scarlet cloak in the fore
ground. Our customers like bit of life;
and the canvas wants covering. There's too
much sky; they like it we'll filed up-plenty
for the money. You might put range of
mountains in the background; il would be a
great improvement, would mountain or
two. What's your price?"
IL thought three guineas," she said, not
liking to ask too much.
N The man shook his head. "Fory- eight
shillings is our price, and we never give a
penny more to anybody.
The sister and brother looked anxiously
at each other, but forty EIGHT shillings was
better than nothing; it was rather queer
price, though.
aYou find your own canvasesP" said the
man sharply.
"Of course"
@You had better sign them-not your
own name, Of course; besides, lady's
name wouldn't do. Sign them-er-let me
see, our last man signed himself Montague
White; suppose you call yourself Matthew
no, Mark Black; no, perhaps Black would
Il -
Barrett-Mark Barrett. Don't forget, and
bring 'em In next week; forty eight shill-
ings, and find your own canvases."
aYou want moro than one, then? II is
hardly the thing TO do the same subject
twice."
The man looked horri6ed at such un-