The morning news., 1889-03-15
MADE PRISONERS.
WHY THE PICTURE WASN'T GOOD.
The Reason of an Artists Failure to
Satisfy a Country Customer.
From the Ne,o York sun.

Satisfy a Country Customer.
From the Ne,o York sun
"Speaking of cranks,n said a portrait
painter, "the artist believe, is the recipient
CT the attentions of more of the species
than any other one profession. Not very
long ago a man wrote me from a country
town, iuclosing a photograph and asking
that a painting be made from it. He vol
unteered the pleasant news that he had re-
Gently become engaged to the handSomest
girl in the district, and that the girl wanted
his picture. There wasn't anytni slow
about him, SO he determined to have a por-
trait painted for her. He requested me to
make the mustache longer than in the pho
tograph, and the cheeks just a trihe fuller.
at was cash order and | filed it with
care. l flattered myself that waile ma de
the changes requested, | had faithfully re-
tanned the expression of the hotograph.
Nevertheless, the painting did not suit. The
man sent me back the photograph, and
asked me to try it over He explained that
his girl didn't like it. He offered no other
hint of why the painting did not suit.
was conscious that had made an excellent
likeness; but, nevertheless, bent on giving
satisfaction, | made another copy with
great care. was confident that this would
suit the most faStidi Gus taste. But it ap-
peare not. Along came another letter ac-
companied by the photograph, asking me
to try it over. The latter said: My girl
don't like it,
81 was vexed. 1 wrote that the copy
was as perfect as brush and paint could
make it, that didn't care to paint except
from the original anyway, and that could
not afford to make three pal ltings for the
price of one, and didn't propose to do it.
got a prompt reply. My country client
wrote that he was rich and bound to please
his girl. He said to paint another at the
same price and send it along. He inclose1
money, and | laid myself out on that por-
trait. l was getting tired Of the face.
Soon after | sent that on | got a fourth
letter with the same request. 1t didn't suit
his girl. Sne said it didn't look like him,
and he was bound to get picture for her
that looked like him If he had to mortgage
his farm.
81 was enraged. 1 wrote him to come
down and SEQ me. Two days afterward a
c1untryman came into the Office and asked
for me- When | introduced myself he
began to smile in the most ridiculous
manner
"'And who are youp asked, wondering
what new kind of crank had struck.
"'Dou't you know meF he asked.
Not fr m Adam, said l.
"'Why, pm hezekiah Brown, whose pic
tur you've been a-paintin.
You, Mr. Brown! l exclaimed, why
you don't look at all like your Photograph
"'My photograph said he, why that
want my photograph. That was my
brothers. But, then, ma says we both look
'xactly alike, 'xce It that my mustache is
longer an my cheeks fuller. l never had
no photograph made, 50 | sent you his'n an
told you how to Tx it. But say, now Pm
down here, you might as well paiut one off
o. me, and see If for onct you can paint one
to suit the little gll.'
81 painted it, and have never heard from
him or his girl since. In stupidity the fe.-
low was only excelied by the countryman
who once sent me photograph of tae front
of MS house, and wanted it painted into a
fine picture. He casually added that there
was an elegant verandl round at the back
of the house that you couldn't see in the
photograph. He wanted the copy made so
you could see that veranda."