Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-08-18

Rssa Bsnheur's Early Life.
In simple home in Paris, about flfty
years ago. lived II. Bcnheur and his
poor family. He was man Of talent in
painting, but was obliged to spend his
time in giving drawing lessons. His
wife gave piano lessons, going from
house to house all day long, and some
times sewing all night. Ali this was to
support the family, for they had four
little mouths besides their own to feed.
There were August, Isadora, and JUL
cite, and lastly, the one I am going
to tell you about, Rosa.
Her mother-tired with hard work
died when Rosa was years old. The
children were placed in the care of q
good woman, who sent them to school.
But Rosa was little tyrant. She did
not like to be shut up in school-room,
and spent most of the time playing in
the woods, gathering daisies and mari
COLDS. But her father thought, If she
did not love school, she must be taught
something useful, and tried to have her
taught sewing; but she could not learn
this, and became so sick at the sewing
school that she had to be taken away.
Finally she was left to herself for a
time, and she hung about her fathers
studio, copying whatever she saw him
do. Then he suddenly woke up to the
fact that his little girl had great talent.
He began to teach her carefully in draw
ing. At this she studied and worked
with all her might.
One day she happened to paint the
picture of goat. She found so much
pleasure in this that she made up her
mind to paint animals only. She had
no money to buy or hire models. So
she had to take long walks in the coun-
try, working all day in the open air.
She loved animals, and it panied her to
see them killed; but she must learn how
to paint their suffering on canvas, and
so she went to the slaughter of
Paris, and sat on bundle of hay, with
her colors about her, drawing and paint
ing, while the drovers and butchers
gathered around to look at her pictures.
At home, where the family had all
moved together again, on the roof of
the house Rosa made little flower
garden, and kept sheep there for a
model. Very often Rosa's brother
would carry the sheep on his back down
six flights Of stairs, and, after letting
him Craze on the outside, would bring
him back to his garden home on the
roof.
At 10 years of age Rosa sent two
pictures to the fine art exhibition. The
critics spoke kindly of these, and she
was encouraged to keep on painting. At
q her splendid picture, "Cantal Oxen"
took the gold medal, and was purchased
by the English Government. Her own
government presented her with silver
vase. Her father shared the success of
his daughter; he was at once made the
director of the government School of
Design for Girls. Rut this relief from
poverty and trouble came too late, for
be died the same year.
Orders for work now poured in upon
her-more than she could do. Four
years later, after long months of study,
she painted the Horse Fair" This was
greatly admired, both in England and
America. It was sold to an Englishman
for $8, 900, and was finally bought by
The late A. T. Stewart, of New York,
for his famous collection.
One day after she had become famous,
The Empress of France called upon her,
and, coming into the studio without
found her at work. She arose
10 receive the Empress, who threw her
arms about Rosa's neck and kissed her.
After very short call the visitor went
away; but not until after she had gone
did Rosa discover that, as the Empress
had given the kiss, she had pinned upon
he artists blouse the Cross of the Lee
ZION of Honor. This was the highest
honor that the Empress could bestow.-
Treasure ITOUe.