The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-24

of sketches brought in to mo that he might
show me wherein I oould make mine more
like what he wanted. All the big maya
zines are exceedingly kind to as"
Here . big portfolio was brought out for
my inspection filled with sketches by two
at the beginning of this article was drawn
by one of them, and all their work has a
touch extremely light and delicate and,
withal, not lacking in character.
The sketoh of Miss Sadie McNeill repro
duoed here was made by Miss Maud Math-
ewson, who has como from Detroit to stady.
and who is resolved that no matter what
happens she will never sever her connection
with the league.
The school must needs be of a high stand
ing, for it has as instructors the very best
artists this side the Atlantic. This morn
teacher, Kenyon Cox. Miss Mathilde de
Cordoba, n Of its members, who ia very
enthusiastic and earnest regarding her art.
said: 1--WE all think so much Of Nh. Cox.
He is such q master"
They have even put him in their class
Kenyon Cox-J-O-L-T-O-N-B-O
Ms. Tho second name stands for
their favorite skeleton, whose tall and
Raunt figure is the first thing that strikes
you as you enter the room.
Carroll Beokwith they regard as rather a
harsh critic, although they ooncede that
none OF the teachers are at all lenient
in this respect. DO 0 know what
he said to mo once ?n said Miss Mil
hRu. "Just this: Miss Nilhau, you look
like a person OF some Intelligence
Here all the girls nodded at me approx
inRly, thinking that ne was going to
praise ms. But he went on, I declare I
am unable to detect q trace of it in your
work. You are not an artist and never will
be, 30 why don't you give up the good place
you hold to some one else more capable?'
MI. Bsckwith,' I said, at least if I'm not
an artist | can stay here and do all I can
toward becoming ono. and | can die try
ing Only Il week or two after he pro-
NOTED me for good work. But all the tsaoh-
ers say that what q student needs ia dis
couraRement rather than encouragement.
It we are really going to become artists we
shall do 30 IN the very face of all the crit
o1sms and discouraRements We receive"
OF course all the girls are anxious to be-
come members Of the league. This cannot
be done until a girl has been at least three
months in the life class, and it takes about
two years to reach that point. Then she
must submit = drawing to the board of con-
troll. If this 10 returned to her with the
word "Unconditional' written across it, it
signifies that she is entitled, from the artis-
tic standpoint at least, to become 4 life
membe of the league. She mu also be
duly proposed and endorsed, and after that
ls welcomed with open arms. A new NOM
Der ia always heartily ehssred and always
treats upon her initiation. The treat may
consist of anything she pleases, from ice
cream to peanuts.
The monthly business meetings are not
all business. When | was there the other
day | saw q number OF the girls 90 up with
inviting looking packages under their arms
and l heard that they always INDUCED in
mild festivities on these occasions. They
are now all busily engaged in getting ready
for the grand annual exhibition that is to
be held on the 9th of this month, In ad-
dition to the usual display Of fine pulntingg.
there are to be a great number OF tablsaux,
all the groupings and costumes for which
were composed by students. Thoy AWAY
wear fancy dress at their public affairs,
even at Christmas and Nav YEARS.: and
though the building is not very presentnble
they will dance over its hoora as lightly
and Rayly as il it were highly polished ha,d
wood. But you Won't know the old place
on that night" said one of the girls. "In
the hrst place it will all be hung with pic
tures. You'll scarcely be able to see the
old walls for them. Then thsre'l be hand
tic drapsriea covering the easels, and pretty
decorations everywhere. Tho a]rtiata NY
all very kind and lend US a ereut number
OF things."
1t ID true that tho old building ia not very
inviting. The rooms arc mons Of them nur.
tioularly bright. the air Ia rather cioae' the
, odor of paint disagreeable. and one ia moi
very favorably impressed with the sanitary
arrangements. Perhaps my aftistic sena.
! should have bean strnn" anouph to ovar.