Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-04-19
AN ARTISTS STORY.

"Unfortunately" said the eminent
Royal Academician, leaning his elbow
on the mantelpiece and gazing down
into the fire, unfortunately l have
made up my mind never to be inter-
viewed. / am afraid | cannot make
an exception even for you"
Then, seeing the IS. s." mans face
fall, he added kindly:
"However, if you promise to sup
press my name, l will tell you the
story Of my first success, and even if
you do not care TO publish it, you
will have something to take back to
your editor.
81 began life very low down on the
ladder Of prosperity My attic-studio
was in Goosegreen Hammersmith,
and here l used to spend nay time
chiefly in enlarging photographs for a
firm 10 Edgeware Road.
'It was in the autumn of Island
then put a DASH don't you knCw-)"
tAld the eminent ACademician crossed
over to see that it was put down
right eyes, that's it, go on.
''At the time when my more for
tunate brethren were returning from
their summer holidays loaded with
sketches to work up during the win
ter / was sitting at the portrait of a
city magnate. 1t seemed hopeless
task trying to put anyeXpresson into
that heavy, podgy pudding face. I
struggled on reproducing the photo
graph, until l could smell the smell
Of city dinner and see little scraps
of turtle floating in the air. Then
l threw down my pencil and gave it
up in despair.
THAT was too much for my empty
stomach. The whole air OF the room
was impregnated with that bloated
alderman, with his tiny pig-like eyes
and dilated nostrils smiling for feed.
l lighted my pipe and threw myself
back in low wicker chair sick of
my inart,stc artists life and dis
gusted with my work.
suddenly there come a gentle rap
at the door started. 1t was very
unusual with me to have visitors so
late in the day.
1.-THE man who entered was the
most remarkable man l have ever
seen, He was tall and thin-so thin,
that, to my overworked brain and
tired eyes, it almost seemed as if l
could see right through him.
His face was deathly white, and
his eyes burned with a steady, con-
slant light that frightened me.
Their sole expression seemed to me
their intensity, and when the fire.
light sell on them they turned a deep
blood-red, like dogs eyes in the
sun.
Sat first he entirely overlooked
me, although ] had sprung to my
feet as he entered. lie crossed over
to the easel on which the portrait Of
that CHASTITY alderman was hanging,
and he walked with a silent shuttle,
almost without lifting his feet that
suggested to me that he might be
mad-I know not why.
''He tapped the wet canvas with
his knuckle and said, still without
looking at me:
"YOu paint portraits, l believe?
All, you paint them we'll; you must
paint mine
''He spoke in quiet, determined
way, as il he were used to command.
Few words passed between us. He
wanted me to begin at once, in spite
Of the fast fading light and
Immediately placed fresh canvas on
the easel.
"There he sat like marble, his
death-lil!e face immovable, his lips
tightly closed.
81 worked away inspired by the
solemn beauty of his face. A terri
Die fascination impelled me, and l
never worked faster or better.
''In two hours L had completely
mastered his face, but the light of
the eyes no brush could paint
ppm afraid can't see any more
tonight, | said. Can you spare me
another sitting tomorrow
''He rose silently, and glanced in
satisfied way at the canvas.
"'Same time Tomorrow he said,
and then disappeared.
"'Well, to cut long story short"
went on the famous r.; A., 1.-The
mysterious stranger came and went
in the same silent way for three or
four days, until l had finished his
picture.
when the last sitting was over,
he held out his hand. Thank you
he said; at last have had justice
done You might keep the picture
until l bring the money and then
he disappeared
''From that day every one who
came into my studio admired the
portrait OF that wcndrous face My