The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-08
The Cowboy Artist.

{ he COWbOy Artist. )
loriginal.l
Mr.. Beverly Farnham, a wealthy
New Yorker, desiring to inspect the
agricultural and cattle growing regions
Of the great far west, took his daugh.
ter Emily for n companion and SET
out on his trip. This same Emily was
q beauty, an artistic beauty, If the ex.
preston may be allowed, with Titan
hair and dark eyes-in other words, a
mingllng Of the blond and brunette
Mr.. and Miss Farnham were welcome
at the ranch houses, with which the
country was dotted, and spent their
time riding over the country from one
Of them to another. The father looked
upon the region simply as one in which
to raise food for the hungry millions in
the east. The daughter considered 1t
very picturesque.
One morning the visitors were riding
over the broad acres Of q cattle ranch
when they met q cowboy. He was
long and slender, and his face was
handsome. with a dreamy expression.
Instead Of riding past them with n
blank stare the young man raised his
hat and babe them good morning. His
eyes were riveted on Miss Emily, with
whose appearance he seemed very
much struck. When he had passed out
Of hearing, she remarked to her father:
"Isn't it strange, papa, that we have
to come 80 far away from home to
learn manners?"
Manners! What do you meanT"
.'sThat young man bade us good morn
ing politely. II we had met a gentle
man In the country about New York,
he would not have been so polite"
HIN! I don't see what business he
had to speak to us at all"
That evening Mt the ranch house aft
er supper Mr.. Farnham was notified
that a man wished to see him ut the
porch. The; New Yorker went out to
find the cowboy he had passed In the
morning sitting in his saddle, rolling a
cigarette on the pommel.
i've called, sir" he said, ito ask
II you will allow me to paint the
young lady who was with you this
morning-your daughter, I believe"
paint my daughter! Certainly not"
The reply was given SO CURLY that
almost before it was out the cowboy
had put spurs to his horse and darted
away. The dialogue had been short
and to the point.
MI. sFarnham asked who his visitor
was and was told That he was Ellery
Olmstead, commonly known as the
cowboy artist, since he punched cattle
md painted pictures. No n seemed
tosknow or care much about his ante
cedents, but some n had heard that
he had come from the east, where he
had been q student in IN art school,
his object In coming being health.
The next day when Mr.. and Miss
Tarnham were out for their usual ride
they met masked, man who halted
them, calling upon the father to throw
up his hands. The order was obeyed,
but upon the assurance. that he was
not armed the gentleman was permit
ted to lower them. Then he took out
his pocketbook, but was ordered to
put 1t back. Not far distant was a
dilapidated barn that had not been
used for yenrs. To this the masked
mar drove father and daughter, then
ordered them to dismount. Within
was an easel on which rested a can
vas, while paints, palette and brushes
lay near. The captor asked Mr.. Farm
ham to dismount and gave him a camp
stool. Then, insisting the young lady
from her horse, he posed her to suit
his fancy. Divining his purpose, she
seemed not only willing, but pleased
with the outcome OF the adventure.
Meanwhile he had removed his mask
and revealed himself as the cowboy
artist, and MS D as b exposing was
accomplished he begansto sketch.
The sitting lasted for more than an
hour, and when 1t was finished the art
list assisted hic ce2tives to mount.
Il am curious, Ssaid Emily Farnham,
TO see how the picture will turn out"
II have only caught an inspiration
Tor q fancy picture" said the young
man. sc you wish It to be yourself
you mustsgive me other sittings."
How Emily won over her father is
not known but the next day the two
appeared at the barn md came after
ward for a number Of sittings. The
picture grew into a thing Of beauty,
and the model was delighted with 1t
Then Mr.. Farnham, who had been sc
outraged by HIS compulsory Treatment
40 to discover no Beauty III the print
Ing, at last, seeing his daughter looking
at him from the canvas With IN. In
tensifed beauty, 6egansSto coyet thu
portrait.
"H'm!'' he.saidatoath artist How
much would yens sell t 9fory lg.
.Rond agents / not used to selling
their plumber to those they plumber
was the reply.
..TIhis cnse may be an exception
said5 the father.
ssThe picture u NOT for sale, but 4
your daughter will forgive me 10
painting It from compulsory slttings
shall 10 plessedstp presentit to you..
The young lady would have gladl.
aeceded to the terms, but her fathel
MouldsnCtspefmits and LETT the countr.
without the portrait.
1i1Snext@wintefsths painting MA q
IN New York and attEactel
gnSlt1l5niuE The cowboy recelsel
@ d ~ remained east Just Ion