Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-04-06
A BANKERS
PORTRAIT
IOriginal.l

portrait painter. lie was not only al
excellent artist, but an excellent man,
giving much attention to the wants of
the poor. This he did in connection
with regularly organized charities,
though he gave great deal out of his
own private purse.
One day Drury, who was chairman
of a committee to solicit funds with
which to finish a hospital, called at the
banking house of StOckard Clarke &
Co. and asked to see Mr.. Stockard, the
head of the firm. Being admitted, he
approached the desk Of the great man
meekly and asked for a subscription.
After a great deal of preliminary talk
Mr.. Stockard sounded Mr. Drury to
know if after a liberal subscription
the institution would be called the
Stockard hospital. Mr.. Drury Informed
the banker that the name had already
been irrevocably decided upon. 1t was
to be st. Luke's, whereupon Mr..
Stockard informed Mr.. Drury that he
had already expended the annual
amount he had set apart for charity
and begged to be excused. Mr.. Drury
departed, feeling that Mr. Stockard
had offered to pay for an advertise
ment and had refused to contribute to
a charity.
1t was several years after this Incl
dent that carriage drove up to
Drury's studio and gentleman bear
ing every evidence of prosperity alight-
ed. He rang the studio bell and was
admitted by the artist himself. Drury
remembered him perfectly as StOckard,
but the banker did not recognize
Drury.
81 am Wmslow Stockard," said the
visitor in a tone intended to impress
the artist with his Importance, land
you, l believe, are Herbert Drury, the
portrait painter. l would like you to
paint my portrait
IL am at your service, Mr.. Stockard,"
replied Drury.
"What are your termsW
81 will charge you $1,000"
"That's too much" said the banker.
81 supposed that-well, a portrait Of
a prominent citizen, if displayed for a
time to the public, and l would con-
sent to that-should be an excellent adj
vertisement for the artist
"That consideration would not tempt
me-"
After considerable haggling the order
was given and the sittings began.
When the work was finished Drury
sent it to Mr.. Stockard The next day
it was returned, with the following
note:
The portrait is unsatisfactory. 1t
doesn't resemble me in any particular.
Indeed. no one would know that 1t had
been painted for me. However, If you
will send it back with a bill for 500, will
pay that amount and keep the picture.
|, 1t was plain that this was an at
tempt to secure the portrait for song.
Drury paid no attention to the note.
A few weeks later, after finishing the
work he had in hand, he placed the
portrait on his easel and changed the
expression from conscious affiuence to
conscious penury and the apparel into
rags. Then he had it framed, with
Ruined" placed beneath, and sent it
to prominent dealer for display in
his window.
1t was not long before Mr.. StOckard's
attention was called to the picture,
and he wrote note to the artist de-
manding its instant withdrawal. Mr..
Drury replied that the picture had
been much admired and was making
hin, ta finn. fharnfnrn hn do
clined to withdraw it.
Mr.. Stockard's next move was to
send his attorney to Mr.. Drury to
notify him that the banker was about
to commence legal proceedings to have
the picture removed. Mr.. Drury
showed the attorney Mr.. Stockard's
note, in which he claimed that no one
would know the portrait had been
painted for him. After reading this
letter the lawyer remarked that he
thought the matter a subject for COM
promise Mr.. Drury replied that If
Mr.. Stockard wished to compromise he
would be happy to see him at his
studio The same afternoon the banker
drove up in his carriage, jumped out,
slammed the carriage door and strobe
into Drurys studio.
"What do you want for my portrait"
Numbered the banker.
You said it was not your portrait"
"What do you want for the picture"
"Ten thousand dollars"
"That's ridiculous. Name reason
able sum and it will be paid"
ut may seem ridiculous to you, but
not to me. That picture Is gaining me
clients every day. 1t has received the
highest commentator"
II will give you what / agreed to
pay you for it."
'That sum will not now be accepted"
The banker turned in towering
rage, declaring that he would spend
half he was worth to land the artist in
JAIL and left the studio But when he
came to consult his attorney his letter
stating that the portrait would not he
taken for him was brought up to show
that he had no case, and the attorney
explained that the sympathy of every
juryman would be against him and
n. -