Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-12-24
WHY-LAURAs GAVE. .yPsART.
.;
II Was Fascinating. But 1t Caused q
Vague Stomach Trouble.

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Vague Stomach Trouble.
When Laura Howell had q good and
regular salary she never hesitated tc
admit that she could not afford to buy
this or that thing. but when she began
to devote all her time to painting un-
certain little pictures at uncertain lit
tie prices she kept her financial mat.
ters a profound secret. 81 e
She rented a room away up on the
North Side. far from all her friends
and relatives, in order that. as she ex-
plai1rd. she might be near the art
store. Her real reason. however, was
to hide the rigid economy she was
practising for arts sake"
Dinner invitations on the South Side
were refused on the plea that she was
too busy but in reality because car
fare on two lines Of cars cost five cents
more than 4 very frugal dinner at a
chophouse. Friends soon understood
that she was rushed with orders" and
making all kinds Of money
Recently Laura went downtown to
purchase much needed pair OF high
shoe; and a dark flannel waist. but un-
fortunately she met her cousin Tom.
Meet me at the restaurant In an
hour. and after dinner we will go to
the theater." were almost his first
words.
An hour later Tom was compliment
ing her on her white crepe waist, and
she was wondering how she could
make IS cents buy meals for three
days. She handed her purse to Tom.
however. with take good care of it,
expression. and Tom was duly inn
pressed as he felt of the addresses and
clippings which gave the pocketbook a
prosperous air.
I'VE are delighted with your Sue
cess said Tom. as he ordered the din
ner. Il hear that you are making lots
Of money. and shall know where to
come the next time 1 am broke
Laura smiled family. as she tasted
the fried chicken. and said that she
certainly was very fortunate. Fortu-
nate to get a square meal was what she
meant.
attended this fall?"
II haven't been to anything" an
swered Laura. inJiffercntly.
On the way home she mentioned her
purse. but as Tom said a hasty good
by and ran for his car the purse was
forgotten. Laura decided to sleep un-
til Il o'clock Sunday morning so she
would not care for breakfast. With
strange perversity she was ready to
get up at O'Clock.
''All artists go hungry and sleep in
attics; certainly this room is next
thing to one. l believe I shall truly be
great. but somehow it isn't very ex-
hilarating. l almost believe would
rather be humble and well fed she
murmured to herself. IN walk down
the street and look into the bakery
windows at the angel food, lady An
gers and fruit cake. and by the time !
have passed. Il dozen windows ! shall
feel as if ! have eaten nothing else for
week. liz is a great deal more
economical than pawninG anything.
but truly great artists never had any
thing to pawn. There's the landlady
now trying to get some postage stamps.
can let her have three"
So she rushed eagerly to the door and
said with the air of comforting
favor: II think I can help you out.
Here are three stamps which | shall
not need before tomorrow. No. l do
not mind taking pennies AS the door
closed behind the landlady Laura
kissed each individual Indian head.
executed war dance, and said mo.
I'll not send i telegram to Tom. col
lect. I'll just happen to be downtown
in the morning and drop in at the
office.
And sh" did.
why. said Tom. II noticed there
was m money in your purse. so l never
thought to bring it downtown"
There arc some addresses which l
need" said Laura. severely.
''Oh. that is too bad; but just run
cut home and tell mother it is in my
left hand drawer
For one second Laura looked dazed.
then she said: You have made me
icse the whole mornings work. and |
ought to charge you for it. but III let
Y, Il off for carfarc."
Tom laughingly threw down quar-
ter. Laura rushed to restaurant.
and then spent the last nickel to get to
her aunt's.
People still talk about what shame
1t was that Laura gave up her paint |
ing and went back to n salaried posi-
ton. But Laura says that, fascinating
as art is, it is too exciting for ordinary