The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-07-08

occupants gathered In the
IN M front windows and jeered
openly. Bascom, whose hearing was
singularly acute, caught the comments
as far up as the third floor
The only trouble with Bascom's Of
fects was that they were new-dls
tressIngly new. From the oilcloth for
the tiny kitchen, to the Persian rugs
and Turkish hanglngs. they all came
from first-band stores. The Holbrin
ties We're unaccustomed to such extrav.
agances. They had bought second
hand things when they had first set up
and thereby had acquired merit In the
eyes OF those already established. II
was unbohemlan. rs Tolliver expressed
II, to have glarlng new furniture and
things in ones studio. 1t argued the
possession Of unseemly quantities OF
money and small artistic merit. From
the moment that the first delivery
wagon backed up to the door Bascom
lost his surname. so far as his fellows
were concerned, and gained the title of
the aristocrat. 1t was Tollivers nick
name, but 1t spread rapidly, and no
French communist ever hated the name
more tran the Holbcinites.
As soon as the place had been settled
Bascom went around one morning de-
livering invitations for studio tea
that afternoon. There were many
moved to accept the invitation. for the
delivery wagon of "A leading grocery
had unloaded much that looked attrac-
tive that morning.
But Tolliyer made personal canvass
and when Bascom hurried home that
afternoon, laden with additional pack
ages. he was met by neat pile OF re-
grets carefully pinned upon his door.
AS result OF Tolivers activity II had
been decided TO snub this arlstocrat
who sought 10y means of the tea to
Haunt his rich possessions before his
eyes. 1t was unbohemian. and while
his presence had to be tolerated. friend.
ship and fellowship should be withheld.
Bascom was no fool. lie readily per-
ceived why he was being snubbed and
quietly accepted the situation. He
nodded in friendly way to the men
gravely removed his hat when he
passed the women. For the rest he
went to work and found in this an alb.
sorption which did not permit him to
worry about tie attitude OF his neigh.
bors. He missed their companionship,
but he had letters in plenty. Since the
artistic colony refused to recognize him
he devoted himself TO his society en-
gagements when time permitted, there
by bringing forth additional comment
as to the gorgeousness Of his garments.
Then came Miss Alice Caswell. She
was but decorator OF china, but her
effects were pitifully meagre, and she
was at once accepted by the rest OF the
Inhabitants as Bohemian.
She was bright, brisk, even-tem-
pered girl. and before the week was
out she had made friends. even with
the janitor. feat hitherto supposed Ia
be impossible. She had the studio
across the hall from Bascom, and be.
fore she had learned of his isolation
had already formed friendship for
him. She had needed some material
which she did not have time to go out
Tor, and he had generously supplied her
wants. She had noted with approving
eye his skill as draughtsman and fine
sense of color. After that she soon ac.
quired the habit of dropping in to ask
his advice about her designs. finding
his wide experience of great value.
BY the time the other dwellers in the
studio building had thought to warn
her OF the intruder in their colony the
intruder had become her mentor. and
she grieved greatly as one after anoth
er the rest of the artists let slip some
caustic fling.
But he Is a really clever man." she
assured Tolliver one day as he sa
perched In the window seat declaim
Ing against the sristocrat. IL assur,
you that his paintings are very mucl
above the average"
Tolliver snorted contemptuously. an,
dear child" he remarked patronlzingly
yVu hO Sohlt NtIy tltNtI WOIh
Don't try to get beyond 1t and set VI
as a critic. There never was a ma
came into this place with new furn
ture. He can't be an artist" Then tn
conversation dropped. There was n
arguing with Tolliver when he cal,e
one dear child"
A few weeks later she had n brit
day party. Early in the morning III
occupants Of the other studios began
arrive. each with some little token an
the invariable inquiry as to wheth,
Bascom had been invited to the eve
ing festivities. II seemed odd TO h
that they should be so interested in h
possible appearance. but she readi
answered that he would No objectiC
being offered she personally round'
MP Bascom when the time of the par
arrived, and got him across the hall (
the plea that she needed help In Il
Preparation Of the supper.