Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-18


Enclosed l beg TO hand YOU check for
$500, at the request Of the purchaser, in
payment for your painting, The Dawn
Of Love-" SO ran the formal letter
from the Secretary Of the academy, and
as he read it the young artists heart
beat wildly with legitimate pride
"At last" he cried, Il have got over
the barrier that ever has to be climbed
ere genius receives its due acknowledge
ment. But who's my patron?' and he
took up the check; it was signed by
Henry Greet" Don't know the gen.
tloman," continued Hardy, pouring out
his second cup OF coffee.
Then he read his other correspond
ence-an offer of FL 900 for his next pic
tura, and three letters from dealers"
anxious to be his middlemen. The lat
ter epistles he cast on one side, reserv-
ing the others for replies. Breakfast
ovsr. Ha-dy thought he would look
Moore up. so. lighting a cigar and put
ting the two letters in his pocket, he set
out for his friends chambers in the
Temple.
The journalist was writing an article
on Pictures and Painters of the Per
iOd' for the Week, high-elass paper,
whose opinions were much priced by
people OF ligh and leading. Moore
locked up smiling as the painter enter
ed the sanctum.
Just the man wanted TO see" said
he, putting down his pen; what do you
think of this?" and forthwith read:
The present exhibition of the Royal
Academy will ever stand out promi-
rently in the ANNALS of British art as
the one that introduced TO the world
the greatest painter OF genius since Sir
Joshua Reynolds finally laid down his
brush. This is no mere high-falu-
tin but is simply placing on record
the consensus Of opinion Of the most
competent judges in artistic circles
the academicianS themselves. We re-
fer to Edward Hardy, whose Dawn Of
Love" has made such a sensation, and
is attracting such vast crowds TO Bur-
/ lingtOn house
Il am astonishad with the success
the picture has met with, though l Ielt
il was the best bit of work I've ever
done" rejoined the artist. while it
much that it grew as though painted by
divine hands. And when in it's pres
ence the genius Of painting always ap-
peared to guide my brush in whatever
work I was engaged. I begin a new
picture tomorrow"
81 -houldn't. old fellow: why not take
n good rest?" suggested the other.
Then you will have redoubled zest for
your work"
ayes. think you're right" said Har-
dy.after pause I'm feeling a bit seedy,
and | can now run to 1t, especially af-
ter this" and he threw the letter con-
tanning the check across the table to
his friend.
IT'S all right so far as as It goes. but
you might get four times that sum for
the picture before the academy closes, 8"
was his comment. Your patron, how
ever, is worth cultivating-a South
African millionaire baronet."
Indeed. but | must accept his bid
mercy and I have long been anything
but intimads acquaintances,a and now its
icliued 10 be chummy l mustn't say it
may" laughed the artist What
should I say to this, chappie?" he went
on. passing the other letter.
THAT you will accept the commits
sion, if he can wait-as you are going
away for a mOnth-thoSe are your or
ders." said the critic, returning the let
tiers. I'm going to rest myself. and
shall take you off with me to Paris for
a month"
Having agreed to so by tne express
from Charing Cross the following night
they parted till then; the journalist to
finish his article and the painter to
answer his two correspondents.