The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-06-12

sketched for an hour.
81 never knew what 1 had to learn
about the human face BEFORE" he
thought, and as a reward for his hu.
mility Providence caused a cab driver
at a sausage shop where Dick fed that
night to leave half eaten a great chunk
Of bread. Dick took 1t = would have
fought all the world for its possession
and it cheered him.
A month dragged through at last,
and, fairly prancing with Impotence,
he went to draw his money. Then he
FASTENED to Torpenhow's address and
smelled the smell Of cooking meats all
along the corridors of the chambers.
Torpenhow was on the top floor, and
ceived with a hug which nearly crack
ed his ribs as Torpenhow dragged him
to the light and spoke Of twenty differ
ent things in the same breath.
"But you're looking tucked up," be
concluded.
"Got anything to eatT' said Dick, his
eye roaming round the room.
II shall be having breakfast in a
minute. What do you say to sau-
sagesY'
"No; anything but sausages. Torp,
I've been starving on that accused
horsefesh for thirty days and thirty
nights"
"Now, what lunacy has been your
latestT
Dick spoke Of the last few weeks
with unbridled speech. Then he open
ed his coat. There was no waistcoat
below. ran it fine, awfully fine, but
I've just scraped through"
you haven't much sense, but you've
got backbone anyhow. Eat and talk
afterward." Dick fell upon eggs and
bacon and gorged till he could gorge
no more. Torpenhow handed him a
filed pipe. and he smoked as men
smoke who for three weeks have been
deprived of good tobacco.
"Oufr' said he. '"That's heavenly.
Well?
"Why in the world didn't you come
to met"
couldn't. I owe you too much al
ready, old man. Besides, 1 had sort
Of superstition that this temporary
starvation-that's what it was, and it
hurt-would bring me more luck later.
It's over and done with now, and none
Of the syndicate knows how hard up
was. Fire away. What's the exact
state of affairs as regards myself?"
ho6 torIf
on here. People like your work Inn
mensely. 1 don't know why, but they
do. They say you have fresh touch
and a new way of drawing things.
And, because they are chiefly home
bred English, they say you have in
sight You're wanted by half a dozen
papers. You're wanted to illustrate
books"
Dick grunted scornfully.
you're wanted to work up your
smaller sketches and sell them to the
dealers. They seem to think the money
sunk in you is good investment. Who
can account for the fathomless folly of
the public?"
They're a remarkably sensible peo-
ple."
'"They are subject to fits, if that's what
you mean, and you happen to be the
object of the latest fit among those
who are interested in what they cali
art. Just now you're fashion, phe-
nomenon, or whatever you please. I
appeared to be the only person who
knew anything about you here, and
have been showing the most usefu
men a few Of the sketches you gave
me from time to time. Those coming
after your work on the Central South
ern syndicate appear to have done YOU
business. You're In luck"
"Huh! Call it luck! Do call it luck
When q man has been kicking abou
the world like dog waiting for it t.
come. I'll luck 'em later on. 1 want
q place to work in first"
"Come here" said Torpenhow, cross
ing the landing. "This place is a big
box room really. but it will do for you
There's your sKyIignr, or your north
light, or whatever window you call it
and plenty Of room to slash about in
and a bedroom. What more do YOU
wantT
"Good enough" said Dick, looking
round the large room that took up 8
third Of top story In the rickety cham
bers overlooking the Thames. A pale
yellow sun shone through the skyligh
apd showed the much dirt Of the place