Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-10-12
ROY'S BATTLE.

tangled mass of black hair on his head, a
cigarette in his mouth and an insolent
swagger in his manner
Roy stopped and glanced around. Yes,
there was another, and he looked like an
American. He was long and lean and
lank, 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 easels,
from each of which had sprung a wild
looking figure, with unkempt looks and
dancing black eyes and hooking grins.
"Walk in, gentlemen, -" cried one voice
''You weren't expected this morning, or
we'd have had the studio painted"
Roy had heard something of the re-
ception given to a new student at the
Beaux Arts, SO he kept his temper and
bowed.
Delighted to welcome @ 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 handl'
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"
d. .1lI@,1 o,l 1NA1-e NJ I,o a0-a
panion. 1t is rather hard for two free
born American citizens to be brow
beaten in this way.
"Nhat do they mean" asks the other.
"It's a tax on every newcomer"
''Must we pay it2'
II suppose SO; it's a beastly shame"
"But-I cannot" faltered the other,
II have only five francs in the world"
''Stop chattering, new fellows crie6
the supervisor. ''XNe're thirsty"
Roy felt a strange pity for the lanl
young man with the hungry eyes.
"Only five francsl Oh! l see; you
remittance has not arrived"
"I-never get r~emittances," falteret
the other.
"Why. how do you liver"
81 work my way
"A thousand thunders," vociferate(
the supervisor. ''In the name of Georg,
Washington, how long must we waltz
Its no use-I-must give it up fol
the present., said the young man, grow
ing paler. and casting a longing look a
the forest of easels.
Stop! l will pay for you" exclaimed
Roy, with a sudden impulse of friendi
ness to the forlorn being. You can Civ
it back-when you're able"
He was unprepared for the tears tina
suddenly rushed into the c~avernou
hungry eyes of the other.
Thanks. You have saved me; ant
if ever l forget it,
He held out one gaunt, bony hand
that still trembled in Roy's grasp.
Il believe the fellow is hungry" Ro,
) decided, his heart melting at the thought
So, after the noisy crew had dispose'
of the feast and drank the health of tn
two and of all their compatriots, he in
vited his new acquaintance to dinner
and they grew quite confidential over it
!. Il haven't a relative in the world bu
, a maiden aunt, who believes in m,
| genius and sent me over here sal,
: Roy. Il had some opinion of myself a
= home. l thought / knew something Q
art matters. l am now certain ! am
8 Ounce. I've been here a year, working
: with a teacher. I've been getting rid @
: all the old methods, and haven't an
: new ones. That's my condition q
present.
; 81 have not even an aunt am alone
I depend upon myself, and have lived 8
far" said the other, who gave Roy
somewhat battered bit of pasteboart
THAT is my name, and l have q den G
that number. I intend to go In for a
the prizes, and If pluck and work can d
anything ! shall win. You have done N
a service today
'Never mind that, " interrupted Roy
looking at the card and reading thereo
the name Of Nathan Lang" written
a bold free hand. 1--WE must stand b
one another against these Philistines."
In this way a friendship began thu
lasted through the year. One lowerir
night toward the end of it Roy Math,
was making his way somewhat gloomi
through that picturesque tangle of stree
called the Latin Quarter. He had ju
!, received a letter from Aunt Roxie whic
he had stopped by a lighted window
read.
1t ran as follows.
Dear Roy-I've got to tell you son
bad Jews. There amt no escapin' Of
or putin of it off. But perhaps, |
this time, you're a carvin' out your fo
"a tune, and gettin' able to do without hel
,e hope you'll keep to a straight and ma
rer path, and never deviate into paint
them there Wenuses and Dinahs whit
ID is a perverdn' public taste, and didr
IN ought to be allowed. The bad news
D. that / ventured all my little fortin' In
to oil well. which accordin' to our Deac,
ut Josiah Slater was a runnin' eighte,
= a. thousin' barrels a day. Well, it's run
et all my money, at any rate. There's
old sayin' about truth bein' at the botto
of a well, but that wasn't the one
I'd reckon. Deacon Slater lows it was
OF be, an it's no use a goin' agin the orC
e. nances; but faint clear to Inc as Pro
" dence had anything to do with it. Gnc
u don't know as twill be to you, and s.