The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-08-31
The Story Of a Picture.
BY ii. T.. CLAMP.

1t is about 10 o'clock p. M, the hour
when life in its lightest and most frivo!-
Gus form is on parade in the upper part
of the citys great artery of traffic
Broadway.
Among the crowd of busy takers,
thoughtless oilers and devotees of pleas
ure, walking at a leisurcly pace and
with a thoughtful air, comes man
whose ceaius has already made his name
4 household word in many lands. 1t Is
Godfrey Vail, TIE artist. The hand
SOM, scholarly face, with its delicate
white complexion, its large, soft, black
eyes and sweeping black mustache
which fringes his sensitive mouth, his
graceful carriage and the plain but fault
less style of his attire, stamps him easily
as a man of superior type even to those
who do not recognize in the lone indi-
vidual the well-known figure of metro
politan life.
Above the jargon of sounds in the
streets rise occasionally from a side
street the tones of piano organ, ac-
companied by the voice of a person
singing some Italian songs. The artist
pauscs for moment to listen to the I'M
usually pathetic ring of this voice, and
as he approaches it is stuck by the APP
pearance of the singer. 1t is a young
girl, about sixteen years Of age, with
Madonna-like face touched with a look
of most exquisite sorrow. Is it possible
that the coarse looking Italian yonder
can have any connection with this lovely
child' 1t is not of this the artist thinks
as ne fingers, thro wing coins into the old
mans hat. 1t Is of how that lovely face
would look on canvas,
Suddenly the girl secs his ardent gaze
and her eyes droop to the ground,
while color like the first blush of sun
rise mantles her cheek. The artist is vet
more charmed, although he diverts his
gaze. still following the couple from
street to street.
Finally the organ is closed up and the
two performers prepare to 60 home.
Godfrey Vail approaches the Italian as
he is about to 60 and touches him upon
the shoulder.
'Gs it your daughterr' he asks, point
ing to the girl.
The man mods his head.
81 am an artist and would like to
paint her picture, " said Godfrey.
Tire man shook his head in disap-
prevail.
"lf you will allow her to come to nv
studio every day for month l will pay
you literally
SLOW much?' asked The man, grufily.
Zone hundred dollars" answered
the artist after a moments reflection.
"She would earn me more than that
with the organ"
Then we Will say two hundred"
The mans greed was satisfied, and he
to the terms.
"Whcn shall she commenced"
Tomorrow, if it suits you," said the |
lltis,.
Very well, - answered the man, and
GecfI:cy handed him his card.
Geoifrcy turned homewards, pleased /
with his discovery. For long time ne
had meditatel painting series Of |
pictures representing the emotions.
Here is my Angel of Sorrow ideal
zcd already he said to himself as he
pursued his way through the still /
'rowded thorougafarc home.
The pretty Italian found Gooirrev
Vail in his studio awaiting her visit on
he following day.
The strong Ugh. in the studio, where
he curtains were purposcly drawn
Jack, revealed 10 the artist that he had
lot been deceived with regard to her