The Bessemer indicator., 1894-09-22
A "HERO" IN CLAY.


my hands" he would say. quietly, "nnd
had no idea that 1t was anything bet
ter than my usual work until l had
finished 1t and came TO look at 1t as q
whole; then"
There was no doubt about II, he had
never before done anything to equal 1t.
1t was rather n large statueite OF an All
cicnt warrior, dellcately modelled In
clay--a slender. slnewy-looking figure,
the head thrown gracefully back, one
foot slightly advanced. n short sword
clasped in the up,iftcd right hand, and
round shield poised firmly before his
breast
There was subtle ease. quiet
grace In the carriage and attitude: n
keen. calm eascrness expressed In the
fine features OF the figure. that
none but man of genius
would have accomplished. And yet old
Bob Banhister had no gcnius-not n
bit. All his friends knew that. and ho
freely acknowledged it himself
Bobs chief ambition was to be
great sculptor-t0 do some great work
that should bring him wealth for the
present and fame for all time. But, by
degrees. he narrowed his ambition
II.
Ing from art but the means Of living
In reasonable comfort from day to
day.
He had done much that was good,
but nothing that was great; until now,
when he was nearly fifty and his dark
hair sprinkled with grey, much to his
own astonishment he created his
Hero" and woke up to the fact that
he had done something at last that
might make II little noise In the world.
and yield him some drops OF that fame
he had hoped TO fill his cup with when
he set out upon his career
Bobs particular crony and brother
In nrt. Alfred Maiden, was II man
some five years older than himself
The two men Ind met rather more
than twenty years before, and had
been the closlest Of friends ever since.
They rented small studio between
them on the highest floor of tall
building In the vicinity of Oxford
Gtrcet. They had even shared the same
apartments together in n respectable
clearinghouse In Mccklcnburg Square,
until Maiden was married and became
the owner of small residence at Pad
iington.
1t was past nine o'clock at night, and
theit studio. smoking last pipe apiece
before going home. Grouped about
them In grotesque confusion We're n,i-
merous hnlf-iinished and finished clay
models. busts OF NIL manner OF real and
ideal men and women. and all the mis-
ccllaneous litter of scuip.or's work
room; on the walls hung medallions and
bas-reliefs OF all shapes and sizes. cray
on sketches. ard n number OF pictures
In oils and water-colors. But the most
conspicuous object of nll-stnnding on
IN imposing pedestal In the center of
the room-wns Bob's latest work, his
masterpiece his Hero In clay.
Certainly" said Bob. regarding his
work complacently. and speaking with
slow, meditative drawl between
dreamy whiffs at his pipe, Its the only
thing I've ever done that feel tempt
ed TO be proud of. and. as you say.
goodness only knows how l managed
to do 1t so well. But there 1t is. I've
done II, and l really do think I'm ell
eitled to be n little proud Of II. eliY"
"Of course" responded Maiden mood
lily: especially when YOU consider that
n rulnor OF 1t has caused II real live
marquis to come up and look Mt ID, and
to be 80 tnken with 1t as to say he Will
even buy it."
Now. ALI, Alf. cried Bannister.
playfully.
Fact" said Maiden. shortly. NO
man gives money for thing unless he
thinks It's worth his money,
We'll. of course I'm pleased to have
purchaser In prospect Anyone
would be"
Undoubtedly. yrumbled Maiden:
but 1t Isn't any one who is lucky
enough to get n purchaser who nav
be the means OF introducing him to
an aristocratic connection"
Bannister looked thoughtfully into
the fire and said nothing.
II never saw. such thing" Maiden
went ON, little bitterly. You lave
all the luck. I can't und ,rstnnd IT,
People seem to think that my work is
better than yours as Il general thing.
ye. you always sell easier than do
and get higher prices. It's luck. Sheer
luck!"
Its luck.' repeated Bnnnistcr,
thoughtfully. II know It. my boy,
and can't understand 1t either. You
nre a better workman than am, more
Industrious. moro We'll, 1t does
seem hard. Why. your Dying Gladia-
tor beat my Hero into fits, and vet
you only sold II for mere trifle to n
dealer, and heard no more OF It, And
here"
Here" continued Maiden. seeing
that his friend hesitated, your Hero
viii be exhibited. Oh. It'll be accepted
right enough. Directly it's finished,
even, blessed marquis turns mp who
is ready and willing TO pay you hand
somely for 1t, and will give 1t place
In his hall, where 1t will be seen by
hundreds OF snobs nnd nobs of high
degree. and II 1t Isn't the means of
bringing you in shoals Of orders, never
trust my word again"
well. 1t does seem little hard on
you, Ar, old man"
"Oh, well. you needn't keep on crow
ing over fellow" interrupted Maiden,
testify.
why" said Bob, looking grievously
checked, II was never dreaming of
doing such thing. l was only going
to say may be able to find opportuni.
ties Of introducing you to people who
will recognize your worth. and"
"Hn, hn." laughed Maiden. dismally
Its very good of you to say so now
hut Bob Bannlster. Esquire, sculptor
in ordinary to his high Inightiness the
most noble marquis of Finchington
basking In the patronage Of other mon
| eyed and titled gentry, will be much
| too grcnt u person to remember poor
lucklcss. threndbare Ar Maiden"
"Alf." cried Bannister. earnestly
"you can't think I'm such mean hum
hug as that! II am only TO be for
tunate at The expense of losing th<
oldest--the only friend 1 hnve-hant
1t! ] hope l never may he fortunate
at nlli"
I
You say 80 now, old boy. It's GOOD
Of you to say So" said Bob. dejectedly
But change Of circumstances nlterI
ones opinions wonderfully. In mn,
case, how do you suppose l, your seniol
In years, who have been working long
er and harder than you. could submit
| 10 the humilIa tinn of hclnx ratrnulxpf