The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-05

You see I not only have to do the
painting, but I have to be sort of private
entertainment at the same time. With
the children I have to tell fairy stories
and keep them good natured and interest
ed The grown people need just as much
managing. Occasionally you can let some
one read aloud or talk to the sitter, out
generally you want the sitter to look at
you, so it isn't possible to have some che
else do the talking. Then, too, it is better
10 do the talking yourself. In that way
you can direct the conversation so as 10
bring into your sitter's face the express
ion you want there. You mustn't oe TOO
funny for if you are your sitter will laugh
too hard, and her features will go all to
pieces. Her eyes will almost disappear,
her nose screw up, and her mouth go all
over her face. You see a portrait painter
has a hard lot.
Another popularity of people who want
their portraits is that they want the
picture to represent them standing up, but
they want you to paint 1t thus while they
are sitting down? What do we do? Oh,
we have to use them for the head and
hands and get a regular model to pose for
the details of the dress and the figure.
Some of the great ladies who have their
portraits painted would be surprised if
they knew who have worn their fine
gowns. 1t simply has to be done, you
know. We'd never get the figures If we
tiers. They ought rather to be called
squirmers, anyway.
1.-The best sitters are those who have
studied painting. They know what Is ex-
pected of them and have some considera-
ton for you. They see colors the same
way you do yourself and don't ask you
to make them pink and white when they
know their coloring is full of yellows and
browns. And, by the way, If a woman
has ever been told that she has any yell
low or red in her hair, she expects to find
1t sticking right out of her portrait and is
thoroughly aggrieved because you say that
in the light in which she sat, the yellow
and reds were not in her hair She wants
you to put them there anyway.
Il don't like to paint the portrait of
total stranger There are several advant-
ages in being acquainted with your sitter.
You know the attitude and expression
most natural to her. She knows you, too
and so well that she doesn't show off to
you. She knows it wouldn't .be worth
while. The painter soon learns though
what is underneath the company face
and manners. AS 1 said before, when
have painted a persons portrait 1 know
that person through and through"
young woman of this city, says the
New York Sun, does US the honor to send
us this letter, which is not without its
pathos
To the Editor of the Sun-sir: I am
80 years old; not deformed. 1 live alone
and have to work for my living 1
should like to get married, not for the
sake of being supported, for 1 should ex-
pect to work after marriage, but for the
sake of loving and being loved. Do you
think 1 am too old? Agatha.
Why, you poor child, of course you are
not too old. What do you call "old?" To
youth of 10 you may seem old, just as
tiquity by little Tommy spinning his top
on the sidewalk there. Age is thorough
ly relative term, but we have pleasure IN
assuring you that, save in the eyes of the
law, you are a good deal of an infant vet
with your best years before you. please
God!
You have passed the days of giggling
and gushing. Without being a bit of a
prig or stiff or dried up or vinegary, YOU
have accumulated tact and KNOWLEDGE
Your sympathies and affections are in
fnitely deeper than they were at 49, Do
you remember what a shallow little chit
you were then compared with what you
are?
We don't know you, but we have seen
you. We see you in your letter, industri-
Gus, patient cheerful, affectonate, watch
ing with wistful eyes the years that scurry
by and bring no Fairy Prince. Good eyes.
Wen be bound, whatever be their color
eyes sort with KINDNESS, and that need to
be lighted up with happiness.
No Agatha, you are at the age Of sense
which by no means precludes charm A
woman in the thirtes is at her loveliest
Pity so few of them know it,
You are just the wife for a sensible man.
who has got over the ebullient follies OF
youth and knows enough TO pick out n.
companion for himself Somewhere there
must be such an one waiting for you II
he doesn't come to you he is an idiot
Don't you mind him!