The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-27
How Vice FlOurishes in the
Studios of Artists.
THE GIRL IN THE IRON PIE.
A story That Introduces Nikola Tesla,
Artist Gibson, sculptor II. Gaudens,
and Other Bright Lights.
New York world.


patton and midnight revels whIcn outri-
walls the efforts Of the celebrated Toues and
spendthrifis Of Paris and London.
Poor Susie Johnson. dazzled hy the Law
ish compliments and surprised by the lib
crafty Of her distinguished patrons. was
overcome by the wine a a midnight sup
per ia one of the most famous studies
IN New York. An unreal fairylsnd of lux
ury opened like dream before her eyes.
and she yielded.
She saw men gathered about her in fat
terlng admiration-men whose names she
had read the great men of the city:
men Of whom she had distantiy heard as
the leaders OF art. OF fashion. of wealth.
She was petted. sdored and caressed by
them. Money with them she saw was Of
no consequence. The wine flowed, the
brilliantly decorated table grew dim. the
softly lighted walls of the studio faded
from view, and a new vision of life had
dawned upon her mind
Like "a Dream.
Next morning she awoke In her fathers
little fat, lar over on the west side. Her
mother somewhat pettishly asked her
where she had obtained the so she had
just found IN her purse.
Then the fairyiand picture of the night
before came TO her again. She saw the
great men Of wealth and social distinction
once more grouped about her. She heard
their pretty compliments. she Was once
more their equal. she glanced at the little
room IN which she lay. she remembered
the gay throng Of the studio. she thought
Of the household duties her mother was
calling her TO perform; she remembered
the so so easily earned.
For two months now Susie Johnson
mother has haunted the studios. begging
for news % her child Somewhere IN the
big studio buildings Of New York TO-
hnr ha rsfv Fsy "a
ticie viii bring Susie Johnson home TO her
parents and pat a stop TO the bacchaualau
Fevels in New York's fashionable studios.
These amusements of wealthy young
men-about-town are beyond the reach
Of police or municipal rcformers. Safely
screened in luxurious studios OF artist
friends the shocking scenes OF dissipa-
lion are carefully kept from the knowl-
edge OF the public. But the conta nina
tion reaches into the little fats and big
teremeats Of the east and Vest sides and
works sorrow and misery In these humble
homes
The story Of Susie Johnson is simply
the story of one young New York girl
And the story Of the $500 champagne
dinaer told below is simply the narrative
OF facts as they occurred a ore studio
soiree. Both stories have many, many
parallels tn this great city
susie Johnson. Model.
Susie johnson was born less than seven
teen years ago in an oli-fashioned house
at Ninth avenue and Thirty-secoud street
OF good American stock. Her father IS a
weli-to-dO mechanic, and his home was
always comfortable and well kept. Susie
grew up in much the same fashion as
thousands Of other New York girls.
She went 10 the public schools. helped
her mother in her household work and.
AS the eldest child looked after the Other
lttIe sisters and brothers that came in
rapid succession.
Nothing OF any Importance happened
in her little life unUl about a year ago.
and then Susie made no her mind 10 earn
some money for herself.
Then. ia an unfortunate moment the
Young girl met friend who was pos
ing for an artist. whose studio is in West
Fifty-6fth street. She painted the MODEL
life in glowing terms. and the pay-well,
the pay was from ~ cents 70 81 al hour.
SUSIE reckoned II up and discovered that
she could make 81 or So week and be
free TO go 10 theatcrs and dances in the
evening. But when she spoke 10 her faith
cr and mother about il they shook their
heads, Susie persisted, and finally they
gave way.
like ..Trllbv."
The new model posed for her head and
neck only az first, but soon the artists
and the other models induced her to dis
card all drapery and pose for the alto
gcthcr."
Stnl her life went on the same quiet
channel She was always home at nighr
and il she was esiploved after dark her
mother called for her at the studio. Part
Of her earnings went towards defrayin-
the household expenses and part she used
20 buy the pretty things she ras so fond
OF.
she was rather a striking looking Eiu
plump and inclined 90 stout1ess. and she
had blue eyes, black hair and white. even
teeth Ncn-aud some women. too look
"a at her when they passed her Oh the
street
Then an event occurred which EVENT.
ually proved to be the turning uoiut in
her career. 4 rich banker gave "a din
ner 20 a number of his friends. among
whom were "a score Of artists. Susie was
also invited 20 the dinner. and she went.
she waS asked 20 play e little COMEDY
part at the dinner aud she played IL sue
Csssfgllv
That dinner was she beginning Of the
rr1 Of her quiet home life. Thc end came
a. few months later. on September 3. when
sn artist wrote 20 her 20 pose for hmm by
electric lRht Susie went to the stadlo.
She aid not return untit late iu tine uiEhf
To her anxious mother next morning Susie
eNpialpo3 that thew had quiet dinner
at which two other girls were present.
She forgot % saw. however. THAI THOSE
girls were not models.
lost 10 Her Family.
Two days letter Su~iH loft her fathers
house. None ~ her family has ever srea
her since.
Tho frantic mother has ofca ~ an the
artists for whom Susie nossed. Noce 90
them has seen her. Tho mother heard
a reoort that the missing EirI could hc
found az the Stu1t0 Of very young. al-
most unknown HEAT rich artist This Pc
port, ike many others, turned out 90 have
ra actual foundation. 30 Gay after day
inc mother has wandered from stu.lia %
studio ia her hopeless search Scr her
daughter.
The father took TO part iu the search
havord calling on tbc artist Who haa tr-
Vlrrf tha glrl 90 1he last Dinner aud on
the owner ~ she Studio whore che asrae~
was given. Afterwards he }eff tAe D1atfr-
~ the mother. f@arnE. as 20 sa.@. that
y Aa found her u3Urisr mlEBf he done
Tho Httln Cat az tHe Johusous IS ss re2r
zs ever. but the hEht has iaft st TIE
mother is $50 Vtta svief ami nervous auNi-
ef.- The Cather SEES about his UcrS wien
his thoughts reuteref or tie missing Elrl
when she lea home she took nothing hgt
ths clothes She had on. Everything e1se
v.se LETT t.ehln5- Tae mother has folded
Sstsi.'s dresses Au3 pEt them va~afu]tn.
aaav. All her c5tI-sh trinkets are locked
IN oae ct the bureau drawers.
~ hra sac comes h&eA want he- 20
ind everything jaat as see lef H. sa1