Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-05-31
The Story Of a Picture.
BY II. E. CLAMP.

1t is about 10 o clock p. M, the hour
when life in its lightest and most friyol-
GUS form is on parade in the upper part
Of the citys great artery of traffic
Broadway.
Madison square is brilliant with a
thousand lights; the great hotels are
thronged with idle groups, while up and
down the sidewalks continues the steady
stream Of foot passengers which will not
diminish much before midnight. The
crowd upon the pavements and in the
hotels is frequently augmented for few
minutes by persons leaving the theatres
in the vicinity during the entr'acte for
an airing, refreshments or cigars.
The crowd on promenade is a motley
one, composed for the most part of we'll
dressed men and women, and from the
animated tones and gestures, the gay
jests and light laughter, distinguishable
above the steady tramp of feet, the rat
Ting of cab wheels and the jingling of
car bells, one might think that care
rested but lightly upon the shoulders of
most who are here.
Among the crowd of busy takers,
thoughtless idlers and devotees of pleas
ure, walking at lcisurely pace and
with thoughtful air, comes a man
whose genius has already made his name
a household word in many lands. 1t IS
GeoiTrey Vail, tie artist The hand-
aomc, scholarly face, with its delicate
white complexion, its large, soft, black
eyes and sweeping blaclx mustachc
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 lonc indi-
vidual the we'll known figure of metro
politan life.
Above the jargon of sounds in tho
streets rise occasionally from side
street the tones of piano organ, ac-
companied by the voice of person
singing some Italian songs. The artist
pauses for moment to listen 70 the un-
usually pathetic ring of this voice, and
as he approaches it is struck by the ap-
pearapce of the singer. 1t is young
girl, about sixteen years of age, with a
Madonna-like face touched with look
of most exquisite sorrow. Is it possible
that the coarse-looking italian yondcr
can have any connection with this lovely
child9 1t is not of this the artist thinks
as he fingers, throwing coins into the old
mans hat. 1t is of how that lovely face
would look on canvasl
Suddenly the girl sees his ardent gaze
and her eyes droop to the ground,
while color like the first blush of sun
rise manties her cheek. The artist is yet
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 go home.
Godfrey Vail approaches the Italian as
he is about to 90 and touches him upon
the shoulder.
''Is it your daughtera' he asks, point
ing to the girl. q
The man mods his head.
81 am an artist and would like tc
paint her picture, " said GeofTrey.
The man shook his head in disap
proval.
"If you will allow her to come to MI
studio every day for month viii pay
you liberalIy.''
elbow much2' asked the man, gruffiy
zone hundred dollars" answered
the artist after moments reflection.
"she would earn me more than thal
with the orgaa."
''Then we will say two hundred" /"
The mans greed was satisfied, and h
consented to the terms.
"When shall she commenced
Tomorrow, if it suits you,p said tn
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