, 1888-11-11
R0Y'S BATTLE.

voice, 'this is a red letter day"
EaThe speaker was a huge fellow with a
tangled mass of black hair on his head, a
rgarette in his mouth and an insolent
BFagger in his manner.
AsRoy stopped and glanced around. Yes,
there was another, and he looked like a
American. He was long and lean and
hank, but looked eager and intelligent.
he was looking shyly and %curiously into
the studio Of the 'Beaux Arts" His
gray tweed suit was worn and seedy in
the extreme. There was a real hunger
In his eye, and his hands seemed to trem-
BILE as he still kept them on the half open
door.
The hall was a long one, and there
seemed to be a perfect forest of e%asels,
from each of which had sprung a wild
looking figure, with unkempt looks and
dancing black eyes and hooking grins.
"'Walk in, gentlemen, " cried n voice.
'fYou weren't expected this morning, or
we'd have had the studio painted"
Roy had heard something of the re-
ception given to q new student at the
Beaux Arts, SO he kept his temper and
bowed.
Delighted to welcome a native of the
land of the great Barnum," cried another,
Selling Roy's hand and working it like a
pump handle. 'How many scalps have
you on hand2"
1.-TWO new fellows-a double treat.
Here, monsieur, interrogate the gentle
men. But first let us give three cheers
for the United States!"
These cheers are given with gusto, and
the supervisor approaches Roy.
"Thirty francs from YOU"
Roy reddens, and looks at his COM
panion. 1t is rather hard for two free
born American citizens to be brow
beaten in this way.
what do they mean, " asks the other.
Its n tax on every newcomer"
''Must we pay it2"
Il suppose SO; it's a beastly shame"
"But-l cannot" faltered the other.
81 have only five francs in the world"
"Stop chattering, new fellows, cried
the supervisor. "We're thirsty.
Roy felt a strange pity for the lank
young man with the hungry eyes,.
'Only five francs2 OH l see; your
remittance has not arrived"
-"1-never get remittances," faltered
the other.
"'Why, how do you liver
81 work my way"
ga thousand thunders," vociferated
the supervisor. SIN the name of George
Washington, how long must we waltz"
fiGft1t's no use-I-must give it up for
the present, - said the young man, grow
ing paler, and casting a longing look Mt
the forest of easels.
* 4Stopl l will pay for you,r exclaimed
Roy, with a sudden impulse of friendli-
ness to the forlorn being. you can give
1T back-when you're able"
MHe was unprepared for the tears that
suddenly rushed into the cavernous
hungry eyes of the other.
R'iThanks. You have saved me: and
If ever / forget it,
He held out one gaunt, bonv hand.
that still trembled in Rows grasp,
IT believe the fellow is hungry " Row
decided, his heart melting at the fho,paf
So, after the noisy crew had disposed
of the feast and drank the health of the
two and of all their compatriots. he in
vited his new acquaintance to dinner
and they grew quite confidential over Il.
Il haven't a relative in the world b,s
n maiden aunt, who believes in NV
genius and sent me over here" said
Roy. 81 had some opinion of MYSELF at
home. l thought / knew something of
art matters. L am now certain ] am a
Ounce. I've been here a year, working
with a teacher. I've been getting rid of
all the old methods, and haven't any
new ones. That's my condition at
present"
II have not ever an. aunt am alone.
l depend upon myself, and have lived SO
far" said the other, who gave Roy a
somewhat battered bit of ~pasteboard.
That is my NAME, and l have a den at
that number. | intend to 90 in for all
the prizes, and if pluck and work can do
anything l shall win. You have done me
a service today
Never mind that, y intenupted Rov
looking at the card and reading thereon
the name of Nathan Lanr." written in
a bold free hand. 1--WE must stand by
one another against these Phiistines."
In this way a friendship began hat