The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-02-08

That success In art Is not the monop'
oily Of such as are lowered with the
normal number of limbs Is conclusive
ly proved by the skill of Mile. Rapin
Swiss artist, who, though without
arms, has made name for herself
with her portraits and bas-relefs, and
Of the Belgian painter, recently deceas-
ed, whom many Of Us have Doubtless
seen at work in the Antwerp picture
gallery copying the works Of the old
masters there ON view.
Other armless artists, too, have ac-
quired fame, among whom may be
mentioned the celebrated Miss Bltien,
who earned a living as miniature
painter, Originally ON exhibition at
Bartholomew fair, she was seen by the
Earl Of Morton, who took her under his
patronage and paid for her artistic ed
ucation. She was a fav0rite Of George
Nv. and William ~, the latter of
whom allowed her a small pension.
Turning to earlier armless celebrities,
mention must be made Of John Vale
rius. born in Germany in 1861, who
was capable of performing many sur
prislng feats. He could shave himself,
play on the drum, fence with much
skill, and, in short, use his toes with
as much adroltness as most men can
their hands. He possessed, however
modern rival in the person of Herr
Unthan, whom many will remember as
exhibiting himself few years ago In
London, where he surprised large audi
ences with his marvellous feats.
Matthew Bucklnger, who was born
at Nuremberg seven years later than
Nalerius, was but mere trunk. pos
sessing neither arms nor legs. Despite
his natural disadvantages, however, he
Is said to have been an excellent per
former on the flute, bagpipe and trum
pet, while his hes--landscape, fig
ures and coats of arms-Which wert
executed with pen, were equal to thu
most finished engravings. His cali
graphy, of which examples are still ex
tant, would have done credit to the
most expert writing master, and, in
deed, he was able to make no incon
siderable income by the sale of thest
specimens of his skill
He figured likewise in the not very
invidiOus role of wife beater, for OF
one occasion when one of his wives
he was married four times-insulteC
him, he sprang upon her, got her down
and buffeted her so severely with his
stumps that she was glad to escape
further chastisement by promising
amendment In the future-a promise
that she faithfully kept.
Equally marvellous were the feats o
William Kingston, who at the com
mencement of the present century re
sided at Ditcheat, near Bristol, wher'
he cultivated a small farm. He could
without other aid than that Of his toes
saddle and bride his horse, milk hi
own cows, cut his own hay, bind 1t VI
in bundles. and carry 1t about the felC
for his cattle. He was an excellen
carpenter, too and had acquired II,
little renown as a hammer throweT
being able with his feet to cast a heay.
sledge hammer as far as most mel
could with their hands.
Very expert too, is Caleb OrtOn, al
American, though in his case his skill
has brought him within the clutche
of the law, for though without hand
he contrived to forge a postal none.
order. For that nefarlous purpose h
employed his mouth. and although tn
authorities were at first incredulou
and doubted the truth Of his cOnfes
sion, he soon put the matter beyon
doubt by ocular demonstration.
Gripping the pen between his teeth
he. by means of a series Of rapid move
ments of his head, executed one o
those elaborate designs of birds, beast
and scroll work in which writing eX
perts delight and proved to the salts
faction of everybody present his uu
doubted culpability.