The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-27
MY FIRST SITTER.

MA A 0 ~ W W > ~ - @M @Hs
 had emerged rom the Slade School after several years of art study, which chic fly consisted of drawing and painting the male human form in every conceiva- position. Italian models had grown pos itlvely loath some to mo was tired of their dark brown skins, black hair and eyes; knew their bones and muscles by heart. A fine skeleton stood in my small studio at home; had drawn it in pen and ink over and over again ; even in my dreams l was pursued by visions of bones and muscles; and when ! talked to friends would mentally strip them ot their flesh and see their skeletons-such was the result of tosjours perdrix, or ton- jours ana, omy! The monotony of ny studies extinguished my ardor for an art which seemed made up of men and mus. cles.
 So one day made up my mind to go and worship at tho shrine of tue old mas ters in the national gallery. to see if these high priests could inspire and rekindle in me the sacred fife that was dying out l wandered through that temple ot art, filled with awe and wonder at the mag nihcent works that surrounded me. Yes !; l would try to copy ono of these chefs. d'auvre, whichever of thcEn then most struck my fancy. found it difficult to decide; at last 6xsd on the portrait of Andrea del Sarto. painted by himself :; the melancholy handsome face with the sad eyes fascinated me; of all this splen- did collection it was the plrtrait which attracted mo most. Irecalled Browning 5 lines:
 l often am much wearier than you think, This evening more taan usual,
 l, painting from myself aAd to myself,
 Know what do, an unmoved by mems blame, Or their praise either.
 took the measure of the canvas, and that day week (,he National Gallery Is only open te copyists twice week, Thurs- days aad Fndays) set to work with fine detcrmlaatloA to render full justice to tho SD endid original. Waile drawing it in l thought over his sad domestic life; his worship of wife 90 urberly unworthy of him in every way, one who through her love of money ended by bringiag dis. grace on his name. No woadex his eyes should bo SO sad and his beautiful mouth tremulous with repressed feelings
 ] began to paint. Now came the tug of war the eyes produced were like two blazing lissle black beads the nsstriis, instead of expressing sensiiveAess. seemed as though they inhaled 6 smell which not even the perfumes of Arabia could swee'en. l was inwardly exscrat- ing tho diff ,ul,ies had brought ou my self, when became conscious of a pres ence behind me. was too engrossed in my work to take particular notice but the presence drew nearer, and through the corners of my eyos l saw clumsy pair Of mu idy boots evidently belonging to tho mAsculine gender. The wearer oi the boots coughsd; it was not a big cough, bat series of ittle husky sounds that irritatsd mo. longed for him to choke and expire on the spot; if he were to remain much longer, 1 felt l must cer. tainly inflict some stains of paint on his person.
 Admirable. beautiful 1" exclaimed a voice with Scotch intonation.
 turned round, ny face flushing. Was this individual making fun of my efforts or was he in earnest If the latter. then he must iu art matters be an ignoramus
 l beheld seat, elderly man with a rod jovial countsaaAce; large vermiliou nose with a couple of buds sf noses springing frsm the nan stem, looking as if later on they nigAt develop into otne, tun-grown noses; his small hlue eyes twtnkled pleasantly; his whiskers wx< gray, long, and ousAy, tho old Piccadilly wesper. He was attirsd in a tweed he sther colored suit, aAd looked hke 5 Scotch tourist out on holiday.
 Excuse nc for iAtczrupting you," hs exclaimed, taking of his hat, and dis playing bald head with fringe of gra, hair that stood erect; but 1 cannot re frain from expressing my admiration o ter than tho original; it is not so dark andh 1t Is smoother you arc gifted lassie Now, would you mind undaxtaking portrait2 am rather desirous to have my old phiz painted for my only relation, sister who lives in America"
 . was so taken aback by the sudden ness of this rsquest that could scarcel, answer; had never before received commission.
 "Ihave never painted a portrait" muttersd, leaning on my mahl-stick palette and brushes In hand, "bat hav been studying art for several years"
 Well, wlu you make beginnin with me2" Saying this ho planted him self we'll in front of me, SO that 1 had thorough good view of him. There coul, not be Q moro striking contrast to tn beautiful, refined, me- 4ancholy Andrea dc Sarto than that presented by this elderly highly colored old Scot-his heathe trousers basged at the knees thicl gold chain reposed on hls we'll develope gastronomic region.
 "What sized portrait would you like Head and shoulders, or one with th hands included2"
 @Down as far as the knees," he an