New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-15
The H,arrsor.
by HAROLD WILD

ne was feeling tired. with that collapsing sense
VI e@'Ieme lasstude to which both body and mind
| seemed to bow abiectIy
me feeiing a novel one with him. for
uuiiHs the last few months he had constantly ex-
tating cough
RE stepped out into all the wretcheduess OF a
wet ana gloomy day in the early part Of the year.
necessity to face it,
he had been working hard the day before. finish
Ing some black and white drawings for illEs-
trated magazine by a syndicate which Of
the 4ons Wi ded type. and which paid badly But
one must live, and. pO0r artIst that he was. the
thought OF somebody else had lately crept into
his mind uISins him on TO even greater exertions.
IL was hard struggle. this fight AGAINST poverty
and the world while victory appeared shadowy
and far away.
man with whom ne had left or three canvase5
on the slender chance of offer being made for
them no matter how small, which might prove
introduction TO more satisfactory negotiations.
II wanted more than two hours the time
named and. not feeling equal to close work. ne
climbed YEARLY to the top of a bus bound for
ChaTinE Cross preferring L sit in the rain ami
fresh air than face the evil smelling, damp. sodden
atmosphere of the interior.
Alghtng at Trafalgar Square he walked across
the National Gallery and went into the building
which had just opened for the day. 1t was always
a haven OF rest for him. this home of the WORKS OF
men who had lived and toiled. some Of them in as
bad case ma. often much than ne was in.
and had left behind them names which the world
now acknowledged immortal
He walked into the containing the pictures
of the Spanish School. and sat down before one
which always q favorite with him. but which
now seemed to possess special attractions.
1t was the picture ascribed TO VelazQUez known
the Orlando Muerte" CThe Dead WARRIOR.
The well known canvas. with its single PROSTATE
figure. appealed to him greatly much
count of the genius OF the dead master the
splendid work in the painting, a line example Of
foreshortenng, but as regarded the Immediate sub
jet.
He did not think of that still silent figure as
that which 1t represented, the dead body of the
great 26a 1 of Mol ne uS 2 Who
had fallen in fight, amid the turmoil of battle. con-
testing TO the last. ana who was now at peace.
Tie died hghting nshung hard, mutIered the
artist. under his breath and that Thought even
than to end ones ex s,ence iguo5Iy amid all the
Injuries OF pampered case and Interested ass stance
He looked long at that pail. armOrei h-ul e, and
unconsciousy drew parallel with MS own case
He had started the worlds fight clad in all the
| bright panoply Of youth and armed with all youths
condolences and aspirations, and gradualy-he
old. the arms had been sadly bunted and he knew
20 bay and all ne could do was 10 die lighting. un-
However that I0nged-for assistance might come.
and If 1t did the laures for the victor surely
worth conte stng for, and his thoughts took soft
and blot out the dead figure the canvas in front.
bright merry, laughing face, soft as a ehilds
preston and-but he shut his eyes to that-a great
deal OF spoiled childs waywardness and selfish
ness about the pOutns mouth
He was lost in maze OF thought when voice
in his vicinity aroused him; -.
How thoroughly reacelul that figure looks Ut
tery calm after terrible strife ,. - z,,
lady and gentleman were standing close to HIM
and the former made the remark TO her companion
dered on the remark while great desire took pos
session Of him Just 70 be at re1ce. To obtain
he eyer gain that emu? Something told him he
He reused himself. however. ana rose from his
seat, knowing that not yet was the time 70 Si' in.
He hft the gallery " braced ug by his recent
thoughts. ready 10 continue the struggle to what
ever end 1t led him, and made his way TO Keep MS
The dealer was stout, fussy rompous man. with
a MUDDY. or. to use more polite term, olive COM
! pleXiOn. and of features which not gen
the artist as ne entered the room and played
| ostentatiously with a heavy gold watchchan. He
seemed hardly to remember his visitor who quickly
chair but sfser pa2se RELIED All. Yes
/ this. I believe is the picture You left here I
! think may be able 20 do something with It, but
here he stopped with superc;ous look Of surprise,
/ The dealer while speaking. had indicated a larg-
! ISL picture which was leaning against chair the
Of which was rather brutal and unlicensed
This is not my picture was the remark the
ION. indeed. isn't IF" replied the dealer. snap
| Il left three landscapes with you the other day
That looks like my parcel. and his heart sank as
of never having. been opened ,-.,,,.-E-.-.
| oh. yes, yes, said the dealer. I'm Indifferent
tone, half turning his table again. Il sorry.
! but really, YOU know, have very little sale for
/ that kind Of work just now. and I am afraid il
will not he OF much use your leaving them here any
/ longer Sorry of course-hope | may be able to
! 90 something with you on some future occasion.
ha {s your address 81; ,P GOOD . day. =,
the mist and drizzle of the street with his pictures
| The gloom seemed intensified as with curious
! feeling, which was half keen disa appointment and
half painful sort of reli9f-tor ne really never
tension relaxed : he knew the worst
he put up his umbrella and walked along aimlessly
Suddenly it seemed to him the sun shone and Il
better ASPECT came over the day. as he perceived
| pavement
They turned toward him and the face Of the ono
was simply the embodiment of the vision continue :
Nv before his u1i0ds aya Her ror1narinr 10 LTey,
as weu-tO-do younS stocktr oker who had paid
her. al one time and another. q good deal Of at
Whether It was certain half ashamed look on
ne slr race or ms noticing me wei! cut clothes.
companion, one could not say but the artist sud
denly became painfully aware that lie vel worn
, greatcOat looking shabby. especially by con-
that their owner walked and did NOT usc baTeaTis
The thought showed itself in a flush that srrane
to his face. to quickly disappear however leaving
/ 4 paleness that had not been there before.
The S1r!'S greeting was not a warm and the
StGck 6rokers saiutaton consisted OF a nod and :
toward the before him aeaiust his wSil-to9la
appearance and II was with difficulty that he forced
G6 no. sF E ' renad StSF was TTrurRng nome
kindly got tickets for a matinee. ana NE are gong
there after luncheon The parcel looks heavy
yes It contains some pictures which have been
with a note Of defiance in his tone though dar-
inS either Of them 10 pity him or remark in any
Oh said the girl There was no sympathy no
interest of any kind conveyed by her exclamation
and the man at her side wearing look OF super
eilous boredom, threw her a hardly yelled inter
rogative glance.