The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-12-29

closed landscape.
why. why" cried the boy. "It's
a painting, beautiful painting!
Yes, yes, it's the corner of the lake
and the pine grove. Did you do
this?"
Eyes. did most of 1t the week
before met you. l think it will fit
nicely in that open space on the wall
Let us see." y
When the landscape was in place
they both drew back.
"It lights u2 the whole shop"
murmured the boy.
The man smiled.
"No sign painter could fail to be
gratlfied with such praise as that.
But there, I'm going back to the
hotel to pack up. Don't forget that
you are to write and tell me all
about your venture" r
'But is that beautiful picture real
ly miner" the boy asked.
"Why, yes. You can do with 1t
whatever you please. l have a faint
idea 1t may have something to do
with your coming to the big town.
But that's just fancy, of course.
| Anyway, the name in the corner will
remind you of friend and well
wisher."
So the little shop was opened and
the little business prospered in its
modest way, and the boy was busy
and happy. And every week he wrote
to- his friend in the big town, and
each of his letters drew out a whim-
sical answer from the painter.
Sometimes these answers saddened
the boy. Beneath their fanciful
humor he thought he noted a tone of
despair.
The little shop had been opened
six weeks and the fame of the won-
derful signs was spreading, and the
boys income was steadily increasing,
ing from the little steamboat was a
stout man accompanied by his wife
and daughter.
| He stared hard at the signs.
81 am going to have glass of that
famous root beer" he told his wife,
you wait here"
He came back to them presently.
II found something in there much
more wonderful than the root beer
although that was very good" he
said In low voice. You remember
reading of the death of the artist
| Hetheridge last week-found dead in
his room-heart disease. Now his
| pictures are in great demand-the
critics have discovered that he was
misunderstood and unappreciated.
He painted but little-his health was
wretched-and his few canvases are
| highly valuable. There is land
scape of his in this little shop"
"Here?"
Eyes. There is no doubt about its
being genuine. 1t is in his style. 1t
bears his name. He stopped here for
several weeks earlier in the year. He
| painted these signs for the boy who
owns the shop-a fine lad he seems
and gave him the picture. I'm
| going 10 Duy IL IL can.
He went back to the shop and
studied the picture again.
What is your name?" he said to
the boy.
''Elmer Brown"
The stout man studied his face.
isn't this a rather small venture
for you, my boy?"
The boy smiled.
"At least it's a station on the way
to town, sir" he answered.
The man nodded ..
"The town is waiting for such
boys as you. Here's my card. want
to help yoI If / can. When you come
to town call on me before making any
other engagements. 1t is lack of cap
ital, then, that has kept you here?"
..'Yes, SIR"
"You have capital here in a form
that you haven't recognized" His
tone quickened. Il want to buy that
picture there. I will give you $1,000
for it. You must believe me when |
tell you that this is its full market
price, and perhaps littl, -,ore."
The boy stared at him.
THE picture is mine,' he said,
mime to dispose of as | will. trust
you, sir. believe what you say. !
will self the picture"
Good" said the man, quickly. Il
think this will prove very good
days work for you"
'tIt is strange" said the boy, that
the man who painted the picture, the
man whose name is there in the cor
ner, said he believed it would have
something to do with my reaching the
big town.
The stout man drew back and
studied the picture. A 1ood of sun
shine through the nearest window
warmed the glowing waters of the
painted lake.
When the man spoke his tone was