The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-08-04
The Picture On The Cuff.
BY HARRY HOW.

| had known Franklin about "a
month. He was man worth know
ing. His honest and genial-looking
face spoke truly Of the honor OF his
heart within, and his friendship was
something TO be desired. Moreover,
he was clever, very clever, and
among his associates was freely re-
garded as an artist who some day
would be with the much-coveted X.
A. after his name. i was, therefore,
particularly happy when he asked
me TO come round and smoke a pipe
with him in his studio. 1t was typi-
cal Bohemian little den in Chelsea
a studio among studios, for 1T was
situated among n number Of such
painting rooms" in building
specially designed for the purpose.
His greeting, as ] anticipated was
most cordial. We lighted our pipes,
and, as though we had known one an
other for years, he took me by the
arm, and, walking me around his
studio, commenced pointing out the
various curios and the like hanging
upon the walls and crowding corners
in picturesque negligence.
One curiosity" in n little black
and gold frame, however, seemed TO
impress me more than anything else.
II was u linen shirt cuff, and on IT,
drawn in pencil, was the face OF a
beautiful girl. recognized the fea-
lures at once; it was the face that
figured in his celebrated picture,
Tired Of Life, which created such
a sensation with the public, and
made such a macked impression on
the art critics two years ago at one
Of the great art exhibitions in Lon
don. Franklin noticed and under
stood my curiosity.
"Sit down, old fellow" he said
pointing TO basket chair covered
with lowered cretonne. Curiosity
aroused, eh2"
] admitted that it was.
Well" he said, IL am just in the
humor for telling the story, and !
think you will vote il pretty one;
yes, and as romantic as the finale OF
it was happy. This is linen shirt
cuff, ," and he reached it down from
the wall land the face you see there
was the one which went into my
Tired Of Life, ,"
/ told him / recognized it as soon
as i saw it.
II was walking along the embank-
ment one day little more than two
years ago." Franklin commenced,
trying to hit upon good subject for
a picture. j paced up and down the
water side for an hour or more, but
still without an idea. i was just
about to turn down the road leading
back TO my place when / saw wo-
man coming along. Her eyes seem.
ed TO be fixed upon the water. had
never seen such a sorrowful face be-
fore; so pale and so sad; there was
trouble written on every feature. Yet
il was very beautiful face, and it
seemed TO inspire me in an instant,
and the subject / had been in search
Of appeared to be mine at last. Now,
you must know that i have habit
of sketching striking or character
istic face upon my cuffs likely TO
stand me in good stead for introduc-
ing into picture. Fortunately for
me the woman stood quite still for a
few moments leaning over the stone
work and gazing dreamily into the
water. My pencil was out in an in
slant, and her face was quickly trans
ferred to my cuff. felt very excl
ted. Here, here was my subject the
very thing. But possibly she might
pose as podel for me, ! thought.
Better still.
Il crossed to her and, raising my
hat spoke. She started and looked
at me with tear and trembling. !
apologized TO her for the strange in
spiration that her presence had sug-
gested to me. Itold her was an ar
tist; that her face had given me an
idea that might possibly bring me
fame and fortune. Tired of Life,
should call it. Again / apologized
as / further explained TO her my idea,
She stared at me vacantly.
1T will be the picture Of young
and beautiful woman" said, "ga
zing dreamily into the water by night
and seeing in the dark stream rest
ing place for her and her troubles
Would she become a model for IN!
picture?" i saw how poorly she wa
clad. SO felt i should not be insult
ing her IL told her would pay he
for her services.
She started and trembled at my
request. She looked at me in a wa!
j ehall never forget.
"'Do you know-do you know, sh
said, but no, OF course, you cannot
/ must GO; please let me 60. / can
not do as you ask