The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-10-28
rBASCOM'S
ARlSTOCRACY
By JASPER coLlNGw,oc
Copyright, 1901. by Z. Warns.

moved into the lIolbein studios the
other occupants gathered in the front
windows and jeercd openly. Bascom,
n hearing was sinsularly acute,
caught the comments as far up as the
third floor. What those on the fourth
floor thought was scarcely of impor-
lance. The singular unanimity Of
opinion among the dwellers of the three
lower floors argued that those up above
would scarcely lie moved to comment
approvingly in defiance of their fell
lows.
The only trouble with Bascom's eff
fects was that they We're new-dls-
tresstngly new. From the oilcloth for
the tiny kitchen to the Persian rugs
and Turkish hanxings they all came
from first hand stores. The Holbein-
ties were unaccustomed to such ex-
travagances. They had bought second
hand things when they had first set
up and thereby had acquired merit in
the eyes of those already established.
1t was unbohcmian, rs Tolliver eY-
pressed it, to have glazing new furni-
ture 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 We're concerned, and gained
the title of the Aristocrat. 1t was
Tolliver's nickname, but it spread rap
idly, and no French communist ever
hated the name more than the Hol-
beinites.
AS soon as the place had been set
tied Bascom went around one morn
ing delivering invitations for a studio
tea that afternoon. There were many
moved to accept the invitation, for the
delivery wagon of Il leading grocery
had unloaded much that looked at
tactfve that morning.
But Tolliver made a personal can
yass, and when Bascom hurried home
that afternoon. laden with additional
packages. he was met by a heat pile
OF regrets carefully pinned upon his
door. As a result OF Tolliver's activity
1t had been decided to snub this aris-
tocrat who sought by means Of the ten
to faunt his rich possessions before
their eyes. 1t was unbohemian, and,
while his presence had to be tolerated,
friendship and fellowship should be
withheld.
Bascom was no fool. He readily per-
eeived why he was being snubbed and
quietly accepted the situation. He
nodded friendlily to the men when he
met them in the halls and gravely re-
moved his hat when he passed the wo-
men. For h rest he went to work
II found in this an absorption which
lid not permit hin to worry about the
attitude of his ncighbors. He missed
their companionship, but he had letters
IN plenty. Since the artistic colony re-
fused to recognize him he devoted him.
self to his society engagements when
time permitted, thereby bringing forth
addddonal comment as to the COR
g~eeusness of his garments.
Then came Miss Alice Caswell. She
was but a decorator Of china, but her
elects were pitifully meager, and she
at c accepted by the rest of the
Inhabitants AZ a bohemian.
She was a bright, brisk, even tenn
pseed girl, and before the week was
out she had made friends even with
the janitor, a feat hitherto supposed
to be impossible. She had the studio
across the hall from Bascom, and be-
she had learned Of his isolation
had already formed a friendship with
Nm. She had needed some material
which b did not have time to 90 out |
and he had generously supplied her
wants. She had noted with approving
eye his skill as a craftsman 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 col
ony the intruder had become her men-
tor, II she grieved greatly as ono
after another the rest Of the artfsts let
slip some caustic fling.
But he is a really clever man." she
assured Tolliver II day as he rat
psrched in the window seat decIatminp
against the A%ristocrat. II assure YOU |
that his paintings are very much above !
The average
Tolliver snortel contemptuouslp.
My dear Child" lie remarked pater-
aally, ''you do some very clever china
work. Don't try to get beyond It and
vet up as a critic. There never Yves a
man who settled here with new j
furniture. He can't be an artist" Then !
he conversation dropped. There was
no arguing with Tolliver when he call
ii one dear child
A few weeks later she had n birth I
lay party. Early In the morning tho
occupants of the other studios began
% arrive, each with some litth token I
the invariable inquiry as to wheth-
n iBascom had been invited to the
festivities. 1t seemed odd TO
Ter that they should be so interested
his possible appearances, but she
SADLY answered that he would. No
'bteetfon being offered. she personally
$780,