Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-01-04
The SfdTrte Of q
Roman Soldier.


party OF Americans IN Paris were
permitted to visit the studio of Chap
man Barnes, famous sculptor, also
an American They wero piloted 10y
Theodore Guthrie. who announced that
Mr. Barnes would not be present. This
disappointed Miss Mabel Douglas, an
art teacher in the schools AT home, who
desired to meet the artist.
Guthrie produced a key, opened the
door of the studio, and the party en-
tered. There was IA grim silence about
the place. i'm which finished and half
finished figures stood looking at one
another us il they had been living be
ings suddenly turned to stone. The
party had spent some time ogling
them when a footstep sounded on the
stairs ana q man stepped in ut the
door that had been left aiar Seeing
a party of visitors within, he turned
to 20 away. Guthrie followed him
and after short conversation brought
him back
This is my friend Mr. Williams"
ne said "a fellow countryman of ours
Mir Williams joined the party, and
they continued to admire the works Of
art in his company. Miss Douglas be
ing an artist was pointing out their
beauties. while the others listened to
her remarks with every attention.
Look at this one, she said, stopping
before a plaster east of Roman sol
dier, isn't it splendid? What an
admirable poisc! He is evidently hold
ing up his shield to protect himself
from the arT%ws of his enemies"
Whats that on the shield" asked
one of the party.
That's undoubtedly snow Prob
ably lie was one of Caesars men fight
ing in Helvctia, which was the ancient
name for Switzerland, Don't you think
So Mr. Wiliamst'
Really stammered Mr. Williams,
II don't know. Only these artists can
tell what they intend to represent.
Mightnt that substance on the shield
be ashesfn
'Ashes'' exclaimed Miss Douglas.
whoever heard IF the people of that
day fighting wit ashes. Besides, the
texture is not that of ashes It's snow.
He must be fighting in snowstorm.
The enemy is on heights above him"
Mr. Williams stood studying the
statue.
WHAT do you suppose the expression
on the face indicatcs?" he asked
''Nalor II is the finest representation
of battle expression | over saw. Only
Chapman Barnes could have executed
It, There are courage, anger, all the
passions one would expect in action"
GONE here" called Guthrie, land
look ut this Spanish dancer"
1T seems 10 me" said Mr.. Williams,
that II an artist can't make plain
what the figure he molds represents
he'd better throw down his tools and
giyeup the job"
The words produced something of a
shock to the members of the party.
They were there 10y permission of the
artist ana any fault finding was, to
say the least. i'll bred
only those" said Miss Douglas,
"who have some knowledge of art and
the subject portrayed can interpret an
artists meaning"
Well continued the fault finder,
keeping his eyes on the statue the while
in growing antagonism. III man is
only an artist for critics he's no artist
at ali. | don't like the thing anyway.
The fellow looks TO me as if he were
one of a party Of scavengers and his
helpers were dumping an ash barrel on
him from an upper window"
"Oh. Mr.. Williams" exclaimed Miss
Douglas.
Whats the matterf" asked Guthrie,
Joining the disputants. He looked anx-
ious
Your friend, explained Miss Doug
las sis making unfayorable criticisms
on work that has passed the best
critics in Paris"
Critics" growled Williams. Il don't
believe one Of them knows whether
the man was a Roman soldier or n
Roman scayenger."
He kept looking nj the statue, com
planning of one defect after another
working himself up to fury with the
work he condemned
You must admit that there is
bravery In his face suggested Miss
Douglas who was herself becoming
angry.
Bravery. I'll show you how much
bravery there is in him" And. picking
up a Scotch claymore intended for
model use he brought it down on the
statue, shiyering 1t into bits. Then he
stood regarding the party as If very
much ashamed Of himself Every eve.
expressing horror, was on him.
Explain IT, Theodore" he said. I've
made an ass Of myself and apologize"
Guthrie. though much troubled
showed an inclination to laugh ~
blame myself" he said. for perpetrat.
ing a fraud. My friends. this is not
Mr., Williams, but Chapman Barnes
The statue lac has demolished repre-.
scented the Roman sentinel found
standing at his post at Pompeu
covered with ashes belcbed from