Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-12-13
A "HERO" IN CLAY.
Why Bob Bannister Destroyed His
Best Bit Of Work.

knew He didn't even know himself
/. "lhe thing seemed TO grow unde
! my hands," he would say, quietly
"and ! had no idea that 1t was any
thing better than my usual work, unit
, ! had finished II and came TO look at /
, as ia whole. then"
There was no doubt about It, he ha,
, never before done anything to equa
1t II was rather large statuette o
an ancient warrior, delicately mod
eled in clay-a slender, sinewy look
! Ing figure. the head thrown gracefully
back, one foot slightly advanced, q
short sword clasped in the uplifted
right hand and round shield poised
firmly before his breast.
liob's chief ambition was to be q
great sculptor-to do some great worl,
that should bring him wealth for the
present and fame for all time. But
by degrees he narrowed his ambition
down until he came to look for moth
Ing from art but the means OF living
In reasonable comfort from day to
day.
Bob's particular crony and brother
In art, Alfred Maiden, was man some
five years older than himself. The
two men had met rather more than
twenty years before, and had been
the closest Of friends ever since. They
rented u small studio between them
on the highest floor OF a tall building
In the vicinity OF Oxford street. They
had even shared the same apartments
together in a respectable boarding
house In Meclslenbnrg square, until
Maiden was married and became the
owner OF small residence at Pad
dington.
II was past nine o'clock at night and
the two men sat by the freside of their
studio smoking last pipe apiece be-
fore going home. tiroupedabou them
in grotesquc confusion were numerous
half-flnished and finished clay models,
busts OF all manner OF real and ideal
men and women, and oil the misccl-
laneous litter OF sculptor's work.
room; on the walls hung medallions
and base reliefsof all shapes and sizes,
crayon sketches and a number OF pic
lures In oils and water colors. hut
the most conspicuous object of all
standing on an imposing pedestal in the
center OF the room was lIob's latest
work, his masterpiece, his "IIero" in
clay
certainly" said Bob, regarding his
work complacently, and speaking with
4 slow, mcditativc drawl, between
dreamy whiifs Mt his ppa, sta the
only thing I've ever done that | feel
to be proud Of, and. as you
shy, goodness only knows how man
aged to do 1t so we'll. but there 1t Is.
I've done 1t, and really DO think I'm
to be little proud Of 1t, eh?'
"Of course responded Maiden
especially when you con-
slider that runor OF II has caused
real live marquis to come up and look
NJ II, and to be SO taken with 1t as to
'ay he will even buy it."
"Now, All, Aft" cried Bannistcr
'l'act.' said Maiden, shortly, "No
nan gives money for n thing unless he
links it's worth his money"
"Well, Of course, I'm pleased to have
purchaser in prospect, Anyone
would be,
Undoubtedly" grumbled Maiden;
but 1t isn't anyone who Is lucky
'nough to get a purchaser who may be
he means OF introducing him to nm
lrlstocatic connection"
lIannister looked thoughtfully into
he fire and said nothing.
u never saw such u thing" Maiden
vent on, little bitterly. "You have
III the luck. can't understand it.
's.p'o S'sA w '"''" '""' my "orn ~
letter than yours as general thing,
WV" Always SUI custer thah 40
nd get higher prices. It's luck. Sheer l
uck!"
"Wpll II does spam a littla hard nm
W. ~ 'oee ''.,n '''''e haro Oh
V ..n, 49, v,u nun
VIZ "e.'' s1' neu"n Keep On crow
W .'e .,, a ''''o"' interrupted MAI
gu, testify
wy s",u poo' iooH'nR grlevous.
s"ooNeu' was never dreaming OF
o'ne SUI" " .hihg was only gong
= guy , may pe "o'e 10 nho opportuni-
'e ~, VI introducing you 10 people VINO
M recognizes your WORTH and
"lla' haF laughed Maiden, dismally. t
lt's very good OF you to say SO now, O
" BOD Bannister Esquire, sculptor
ordinary to MS high mightiness, the X
'ost noble marquis OF finchington, 4
asking IN lhc patronage OF other 4
and titled gentry, will be s.
'uc'' 700 srea' person 10 remember u
oor, '"cNiess' 'hreadpare All Nal a
'n, )
A'i' er'eu nannis'er' earnestly =
you cant thihk IN snch u mean !