Morris tribune., 1901-04-13
THE PAINTERS
ANGEL :. :. :. :.
HALLE ERMINIE RIvEs.

/
The painter sat in his square studio
with his head bowed in his hands
The four walls of the room had each
a window, relieved by dingy curtains,
and the door was bare. The mans
face was drawn and gaunt, and when
he raised his head his eyes were very
bright.
"These years. he cried to the 81
ilence. 'aFour Of them, day after day,
week after week, always striving, al
ways laboring to express the thought
which is in my brain, always impotent
because Of poverty, always toiling
through three days that on the fourth
may have models and materials for
my great work! feel the power with
In me, but / am helpless. Others
around me succeed. / envy them, and
my envy strangles the lovely thing
which try to paint,@and its features
grow CHASTITY and hateful to me. If !
could only finish this one picture! But
cannot without hours Of work with
costly models and many days Of appli-
cation which must spend in earning
my bread. And the inspiration will
not wait. 1t fades DINNER while ]
fight on. If it passes, / am lost"
He bowed his head in his hands
again. and his shoulders moved as
though with sobbing.
Just then figure, white and shining,
drifted down through the open sky
light and stood beside him. The paint
ef raised his head. He knew that the
visitor was an angel, for he had seen
angels in his dreams. He clasped his
hands and knelt at the Angels feet, and
the tears were still on his face.
The angel was looking at the canvas
spread upon the easel. 1t was a jun
BILE of huge forms, for the painter was
to represent upon it a great allegory
of humanity entitled "The Triumph
of Life" "Why are you not at work =
the stranger asked. The painter
stretched his arms wide with de-
spairing gesture. 1t was hopeless and
helpless. 1t meant want, desire, pow
erty, agony, supplieation, all blent into
one.
The angel regarded him pitifully for
a moment. II have master" he said,
sin whose gallery are the models Of all
the greatest works of the world.
Nothing is missing. have come to
give you his invitation to paint in it. .
The painter lifted his head eagerly.
There was a question upon his face.
''It is a wide gallery" the angel went
on, with four wings. In these wings
have sat all the great artists of all
times to do their labor. In it they
have received their first inspirations
from the great art ideal Of which they
were the interpreters. There Michael
Angelo brought his rough stone to set
free it's angelic forms; there came Bee
thoven. IT'S harmonies of form and of
color hymning themselves to him in
splendid music. Thither came Raphael
to gaze upon the glorious hues and In
the peace and beauty of it's aisles to
paint the delicate loneliness of the
Christ child. In it's alcoves sat Keats
and Shelley, gazing till it's various
beauty rang from their souls into
full and fragile voice of song. There
they framed those sweet harmonies
which, unheard, were sweeter. All
these men have learned in this great
gallery. Today the masters sit in it
working and striving to interpret and.
IN giving their all to the world, to
show to those to whom admittance is
forever denied. because they have not
the souls to appreciate this art. little
portion Of the enduring beauty of the
Il have never heard Of this gallery"
said the painter.
'True," said the angel. "You have
been too busy with this great painting
He touched the easel as be, spoke.
The painter hung his head. Il am
lot fit" he said. ito sit with these
great artists. l would better work lon
ger here"
"'tNot So" said the angel gently. "You
rave the will to do. The candle ID
burning in your SOUL
The painters lips moved silently, but
he angel understood him. take me
With you to this gallery he was say
ng.
The angel stepped to the western win
low Of the room and flung it open wide.
The painter came and stood beside
lin. "Can we see it from here?" said
lie. The angel nodded. "This is one Of
he four great wings Of my masters
;allery," hessaid "LookY'
"The painters gaze followed his. 1t
vas spring. A little soft wind was
lowing. The starting grass in the gar
EN- below was a. light, placid green.
ust beyond was peach tree in bloom.