The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-01-01

In spite OF its faults. in spite OF its
crudities. I found myself Interested in
IL.
This man may not be n great artist"
said TO myself. but he knows human
nature" Yet could hardly fancy that
such merit had won the praise that
had heard year or more ago.
"of course IL isn't finished yet" said
Miss Graydon. who was obviously
/ ashamed OF il for Ladd's sake.
"of course 1t never will be-" added
Ladd gloomiiy.
Then ! rose up. as the foolish man
always does. TO explain and simplify
his friends troubles which he does not
In the smallest degree understand.
''If you don't finish that picture"
said I. you will make great mistake.
Ii il sure to sell. OF course" | added
hastily, Il know just how you feel.
You feel that you have cLeapened your
art. In the old days of poverty you
were true TO your ideal. and ! surely
wouldn't wish you ever TO he false to 1t.
Yet the painter must live. and you have
done right In these last months TO de-
scend to the level of the public taste
and make some money. After all. the
fact that you have sold enough pictures
to surround yourself with this luxury
Is proof that the work was not value
less. and
Ladd was staring at me with an
amused incredulity.
"Now. that's funny" said he. shak
ing his head as a puzzled man some
times will. do you really believe that
I'D sell pictures. especially my own
pictures. as business proposition? OF
course IL a fellow could corner pictures
or even control tie trade in certain
section of the city there might be mon
ey In II. But to manufacture them for
sale. How can people have such ideas?
And yet ] suppose had 'em once"
mir. Ladd has not sold any of his
pictures recently" said Miss Graydon.
He would not sell anything that was
not worthy of him."
"Not In pictures" said Ladd. but
sold some stock today" and he laughed
with a soft and gentle cadence. by
the way, Morton. II you've got couple
Of thousand dollars that aren't work.
Ing ] can tell you how to make it FIVE
Go short on some of that stun that
sold today"
AT this point he caught Miss Gray.
don's sad. reproying glance.
Il beg your pardon. Lucy" he said
Il won't do 1t again. surely not after
tomorrow. I'm going TO lead new
life. Morton. beginning with the new
year. as I've already told you"
"Since Mr.. Ladd began to make mon
ey." said Lucy. his work las deteri
GRATED. but he will soon be hiInsel
again"
II promise you that WILL" he salt
earnestly as he took her hand AM
now come" he continued. addressing
me. and with his free hand he drcy
away the curtain from before the arch
ed doorway.
We passed into small. purposeles
apartment that might have been
sU )king room. except that everything
VAS smoking room in the quarter
Upon an end wall was hung a smal
canvas. for which the lighting of th
room was cleverly adapted.
] have no technical knowledge o
paintings and shall not attempt any de
scription OF this picture beyond III
mere statement that il was n windo'
into Switzerland. One saw u littl
shoulder OF mountain with a bacl
ground OF perfectly clear sky. The a
Inospheric depth was beyond belle
There were no towering peaks labele
"Alps" The thing was Alpine simpl
because it was. but can't tell why.
= "Ladd." said !. did you do thatF'
% He nodded.
> -And now rm-I'm what you sa'
out in the other room" he said. wit
q a sob In his throat.
You've done 1t once" said |. "an
D. you'll do II again"
d That's what live for" said IA
u that and
II He didn't finish the sentence. but
e put his hand gently on Miss Graydon
"a shoulder. Then he looked up at I'll
u picture.
lit was found under the tree"
I continued They brought 1t to me {
soon as MY eyes could bear looking ;
d il. and then for days used TO lie an
N dream of the time when | could beg
o paint again. And when | began
u knew that IL was all over. | was a
e other man
n III you should give up this luxui
!! and go and live in poverty began
= He laughed bitterly.
u Il can no more be poor said Ia
&; than a drunkard can quit drinkin
. But suppose | should give myself mp
! II. suppose should lay aside paintiI
" for awhil. an,l make a barrel OF mon,
enough money then 10 you think
=. could he myself a=a:n:''
Don't You try it," said Miss era
don.
d Il love painting just as much
D, ever" protested l.add: NOR. indeed.
n am sure. r.
= III yon did.' r.ioinrd Miss Graydo
:! you'd paint. You wouldn't 90 ru
a. ming down io Tie bourse''
l. I.add rubbed his smooth. firm ch
X and eyed me
What do you think Of thatg'
N queried.
I'm afraid there's something in il
replied. "'As the hart pnnteth aft
ns the water brooks because it's wat
drinking animal
id why Is IL: Why is iiy' he eric
;" why. with the capacity in me {
he such work as that must run mon
ut hunting: Heaven knows. And y
there rises in Ine now and then wi
ie- desire To 20 out and skin somebo
vt alive"
He caught I.ucy's Mortified glance.
lot ''of course ! mean IL in a iinanc
rd sense" said he. The wny 10 get me
to ey is to take II away from somebo
M who has II or Ia levy Il general cont
IN button. which Is the same thing slish