The Press., 1889-08-01
WILLOW CREEKS GENIUS

green, the SKY 8S LOO BI2fl0& D1u0 N0s perhaps, would have said Balboas legs were out of drawing. and that general crudity pervaded the picture which plainly showed the novice. z
 None of these criticisms occurred to Will. low Greek. It admired with all it's eyes, and marveled greatly that bow of twen- ty, born and grown up among them, should be capable of producing this won- derful work of art.
 As Dr. Houston appeared upon the scene Jo McGregor hailed him from the doorway. 'sI say, doctor, that's likely picture of Ralph's., Reckon you'll be sending the boy overto Europe before long,"
 SThe doctor quickly entered the store before he replied: "What made you think of that Jo? Did he speak of going to Eu- rope to you ?" ETg@ ssRalph? No, I only lowed that 'ud be the upshot of it, sence everybody pears to think the boys genius"
 stWel1,, well, he amuses himself painting pictures, and paints them fairly well, but my idea has always been toetake Ralph in with me as soon as he has read and studied a while longer. The boy quite agrees with me, oo-this is only pastime-at least. have always believed 50 until this picture |-h'm, h'm, if Thought -murmured the doctor, unwilling to take McGregor too deeply into his confidence.
 Doctor, there's no use to try to keep the eagle from soarin'. A boy with his face and general git-up want made to live anadie in Willah Orick. You and me may be content to stay in the old burg, doctor, but then we're birds of another feather" 4 Whether the doctor objected to figuring in the same metaphor with man who sold drugs and notions and tea and coffee oyer the same counter, or whether the matter of Jos speech was disturbing his peace, he replied, with a grnff 'sgood morning, ' and hurried out of the store. 4Fst
 That evening he had long talk with Ralph. My boy, he said, at last. ''my heart has been set on your continuing the profession of your father ever since first thought you had g naturM aptitude for it, and you always's seemed to me to like it, Ralph. If you hated medicine and felt that you were born. to be an artist, God forbid that should attempt to coerce you; but I think that it is only fancy which will pass away. know little about art, and can't tell whether you have much talent or not, but know that an artist, beside heaven sent genius, should have an absorbing love for his art, which Eshould make him willing to endure years Eof toll and poverty in pursuit of success which in the end may allude him. Do you think you have that passion, Ralph ?" ask ed the doctor, anxiously.
 The boy hesitated moment only. Father, if you had asked me this three months ago should have answered, I do not know Now l. tell you that, as truly as IScan speak, next to you I love painting hnff fhnrn nwvkt ale Svak r,11 Nevertheless, if the thought distresses you, if you think I am not fit to become an art ist, will give it up. will never" and ssNo, nd, Ralph, not that. don't mean that, replied the doctor, hastily, swe will wait 8 little while. Your Balboa is the first real picture you have painted, isn't it?"
 "Yes, and that is only an experiment. Oh, II have something else in my mind, father, such picture. It is head of Hebe, and Bessie Pollard has promised to sit for me-"
 "Bessie Pollard; she is a fitting model for, the goddess of youth. A lovely girl, Ralph, said the doctor, looking at his son out of the corner of his, eye. >a-*. sOh, yes" replied Ralph, enthusiastic- ally, ''such hair and eyes, just the face for a Hebe! And when the picture is finish ed, father, let it decide my fate. shall be willing to stand or fall by it."
 ., "How long will it take you, Ralph ?" - $ "I shall want at least month"; a5..
 "A month, repeated the doctor" feel ing somewhat cornforted.
 In the next issue the Willow Creek Pal ladium it was announced that Ralph Hous. ton, son of Dr. Charles Houston, and paint. CT of the picture entitled Balboa Discov. ering the Pacific" which has attracted so much attention in the window of McGreg- or's drug store, would shortly begin 8 painting of Hebe, the cup- bearer of the gods.
 Even before this it had become general. ly known thronghout the village that Ralph was going to paint picture of Hebe, and that Bessie Pollard was to be his model. Whether Miss Pollard had, in dipping into mythology, become somewhat alarm ed at the possibility of picture of herself as 'Hebe," or whether she dreaded the publicity which it's position in McGregor's window would give her features, she at any rate reconsidered her promise and sent Ralph polite note to the effect that she had decided she would rather not be print ed in the picture.
 Ralph was exceedingly disappointed and annoyed on the receipt of the news. He thought he had found the ideal ssHebe. D and now she had eluded him. To his sur prise his father seemed to feel as keen disappointment as himself. s"There is no one else in Willow Greek who will do, ' said the boy, despairingly.
 'tNo one," echoed the doctor.
 s'Such pretty mouth, sighed Ralph. ]
 ssAnd such a gentle disposition" said the doctor. }tE ]
 'She has just the face, so childl;ke and innocent, yet so expressive P
 ssAnd she is so industrious, SO domestic 1: you never see her gadding about the streets," added the doctor.
 ''She's the only girl in the place who has golden hair, said Ralph, impatiently.
 "Yes, yes; I should have been very fond of Bessie. I always liked her from a little thing" said the doctor,, effectively. 'It seems only the other day she was in short dresses, and here I have been think ing of her for my Ralph II mean. for your picture your model Ralph, he added, hastily. Fl think must have beenqdrop- ping off to sleep. Well, well, dare say you canand somebody else, |" and the doc tor left the rOom.gf .,l .ssalt ,s5fgst ss
 Ralph had reddened at his father.s self. betraying speech. The views of the fath. CT on the adyisability of early marriage were well known to the son. The subject had often deen discussed between them DO4.