Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-01-23
ALL LAuRA's ART WAS NEEDED.
Her Income Was Small-Why She
Went Back to a Salary.


Went Back to a Salary.
When Laura Howell had a good and
regular salary she never hesitated 10
admit that she could not afford to Duy
this or that thing. but when she began
to devote all her future time to paint
ing uncertain little pictures at uncer-
tain little prices she kept her hnanciai
matters a profound secret.
She rented a room away up on the
north side, far from all her friends
and relatives, in order that, as she ex-
plains, she might be near the art
store. Her real reason, however, was
to hide the rigid economy she was
practicing for arts sake"
Dinner invitations on the south side
were refused on the plea that she was
too busy" but inreality because car
fare en- two lines of cars cost five cents
more than a very frugal dinner at
chophouse. Friends soon understood
that she was rushed with orders" and
making all kinds if money"
Recently Laura went downtown to
purchase a much-needed pair of high
shoes and a dark flannel waist, but
unfortunately 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 en- 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 i'm
pressed as he felt of the addresses and
clippins which gave the pocket-book
prosperous air.
I'VE are delighted with your sue
cess said Tom, as he ordered the
dinner. 81 hear that you are making
lots of money, and / shall know, where
to come the next time l am broke"
Laura smiled family, as she tasted
the fried chicken, and said that she
certainly was very fortunate. Fortu-
nate to get square meal was what
she meant.
What plays and lectures have you
attended this fall?"
Il haven't been to anything" an
swered Laura, indifferently.
On the way home she mentioned her
purse, but as Tom said hasty Good
by" and ran for his car the purse was
/ forgotten. Laura decided to sleep I'M
| til II 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. | believe l shall truly
be great, but somehow it isn't very
exhilarating. | almost believe would
rather be humble and well fel," she
murmured to herself t'I'll walk down
the street and look INTO the bakery
windows at the angel food. lady fingers
and fruit cake and by the time have
passed a dozen windows l shall feel as
| if l have eaten nothing else for a
week. 1t is a great deal more econom-
! ical than pawning anything, but truly
great artist never had anything to
pawn. There's the landlady now try
ing to get some postage stamps. l can
let her have three"
So she rushed eagerly to the<door
and said with the air of comforting a
favor. 81 think l can help you out.
| Here are three stamps which | will not
need before tomorrow No. I do not
mind taking pennies" AS the door
closed behind the landlady Laura
kissed each individual Indian head, ex-
ecuted war dance and said: mo.
| I'll not send telegram to Tom, col
lect. I'll Just happen to be downtown
in the morning and drop in at the
Office"
And she did.
81 noticed there was no money in
your purse" said Tom, $50 l never
thought to bring it downtown
There are some addresses which 7
need" said Laura, severely.
'Oh, that is too bad; but Just run
Ou' hO'0 anu tSh hotHer IL is IN my
left-hand drawer"
For one second Laura looked dazed
! then she said: you have made me
lose the whole mornings work, and
ought to charge you for it,but I'll let
you off for car fare"
Tom, laughingly, threw down a quar-
ter. Laura rushed to a restaurant
and then spent the last nickele to get
to her aunt's
People still talk about what a
shame it was that Laura gave up her
painting and went back to a salaried
position. But Laura says that, fascin.
ating as art is, it is too exciting for
ordinary nerves.