Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-06-24
ARTS
LIMITATIONS
When the Portal, Painter Called.


and drawing a full breath, he rang
the bell of apartment No. 81 and
awaited the event, his palette held
prominently before him and his black
leather box on the floor
Little feet tripped along the hall in
side and the door opened.
She was, then, just about as thin as
they make them, and it would be diff
cult TO tell which of her features chal-
lenged the glance with the greatest in
sistence. Her hair was not as beautiful
as her eyes, nor her eyes as beautiful
as her nose, nor her nose as beautiful
as her lips, nor her lips as beautiful
as her chin. And as for her chin, she
had none. Yes, such was she who
opened the door of apartment 81 and
looked into the eyes of the artist
Madame" said he, good morning."
whipped a pencil from his pocket and,
closing one eye, he squinted at her
over the tip of this pencil with
heavenly look of rapture on his face.
Has any one ever told YOU" he ex-
claimed. with a sudden vigor, that
you would make a perfect artists
model?"
why, no." she said "Why, no."
Then, madame" he cried, IF l
were TO paint lovely picture of you
in oils-a full-length picture fit for
any gallery-and all for nothing, mind
you, all for nothing would it be too
much for me to ask you to tell admir-
IN fri0 no
it-Prof Soulsky of the Munich art
school. Would that be asking too
much?"
why. no." she said. why, no. All
for nothing, you say?"
"All for nothing!" he graciously as
sured her. "All for nothing!"
why, no" she said, and, almost
blushing. she added why, I'd be
pleased TO tell them
But as her vacant look fell from her
a stern voice called out from the
apartment within:
Margaret! You be CAREFUL"
There is no need for her to be care
full, madame," cried the artist through
the open door. IF she will only con-
sent to sit for me I'll be more than
amply repaid" And turning again to
Margaret. Mr.. Faust added: "You
know it's so hard 10 get a start in this
this great city of yours. Every one
is so suspicious"
20, l don't mind herr" she whis-
pered.
Now, | have here" whispered the
artist as he opened the black leather
box, "a package of sealed envelopes
numbered from l to 100. Ninety-nine
OF these are empty; the Tooth contains
card bearing these simple words.
Grand prize OF course there isn't
a lady in New York, however grand
and however beautiful, who wouldn't
jump at the chance of getting a gcnu-
Inc Soulsky portrait-in oils-and so
/ have adopted this method You pick
an envelope-any envelope-it costs
you nothing and it commits you TO
nothing. And if you draw the lucky
one, why, then, you do get your por-
trait in oils for nothing. absolutely
nothing, and that's all there is to it,
Now, Any card. Any card!"
She drew a card. and taking it from
her the artist held it to the light.
by jovel" he exclaimed in shaking
tones, you've won it,"
20, mother." she cried over her
shoulder I've won it,"
Look" cried the artist, and open
ing the envelope he drew forth card
bearing those simple words grand
prize"
20, isn't that grand" cried Mar
garet. But then, was always
lucky"
Now, madame" said the artist. "as
/ said before | am a stranger in your
city, just arrived from the great art
centers of Europe and my studio is
not yet fitted up as | would like TO
have it. So if you will let me have a
cabinet photograph of yourself | will
at once
ASK him." cried the voice within,
IF any deposit is necessary"
Why. no, mother" cried Margaret
over her shoulder. Don't you under
stand? / won the grand prize!" And
turing to the artist she whispered: rs
any deposit necessary"
Only dollar" he hurriedly whis-
pered back. First installment on the
beautiful frame | furnish with each
and every picture. OF course, you
understand, that | can hardly be ex-
pected to furnish the beautiful frame
for nothing as we'll as the picture
do your"
why, no" said Margaret. IT
couldn't expect that"
rs he trying to sell a frame?" cried
the voice within
"Mother!" exclaimed Margaret over
her shoulder. II tell you I won the
Grand Prizei"
Perhaps" said the gloomy voice
within, perhaps they are all Grand
Prizes. Come in here, young man, and
let me draw one OF those envelopes"
Madame" cried the artist through
the door, as he hid his palette under
his coat, and slung his black leather
box over his shoulder, Il am a por-
trait painter. and never yet have
been obliged to paint a fortress. or
wild night at sea, or feeding time
the rnpuau or v,a1n1t~ht