The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-06-26
Shabby Genteel
A Sketch That Proved
OF Importance
By F. A. mitchell

it is that while the making of pictures
is refined work, only comparatively
few of us women have become eminent
in that field. But this has nothing to
do with my story. When a child was
given drawing lessons. and when
grew older | went abroad to study.
suppose should have remained
abroad. Most American artists do.
They paint pictures where there is
market for them. | came home to
America, where | think there are as
fine landscapes as there are In the
Rorld. and we have one scenic effect
that is the grandest in the world, the
Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
was sketchlng one morning in
wood beside road. 1t was springtime,
and the buds on the trees we're opening
with that pale green one sees but for
few days in each year. was trying to
get 1t on my canvas.
Down the road came a man whose
clothes were shabby, but whose person.
even In shabby attire, bore evidence of
the gentleman He had the light hair
and blue eyes that indicate northern
races. and his features were of the
Saxon type Seeing me sitting there
sketching. he paused, his hand went up
to his cap slowly and doubtfully, a
pleasant, deferential smile lighting his
face and he said with the accent of
German:
"You have very beautiful subject
for your painting"
There was nothing whatever to be
afraid of in this deferential gentleman;
besides. during my sojourn abroad
had made many such acquaintances-
all travellers do except the English. and
even they sometimes break through
their conventionalism-so | received
the mans salute as 1t was intended
He stood behind me and looked at my
sketch. first giving me, as a well bred
person should. compliment, then max
ing certain criticisms and suggestions
that at once struck me as being of
value
AS looked at his 1.-THE figure, his
genial face bearing every evidence of
refinement and contrasting with his
shabby gentee clothes, 1t struck me
that would like very much to make a
drawing of him.
"Have you half an hour to spare?'
asked.
"Half an hour? ! have half CEN
tury. | am vagrant-what you call
in America a tramp. At any rate,
hot of I Of
persons one reads about in stories who
become involved in some unfortunate
episode the truth of which cannot be
unraveled. For that reason | left my
native country and went to France.
where | served for awhile in that
corps Of the French army called the
Foreign legion. Do you know what
that is?'
81 do not" ! replied. surprised and
at the same time charmed at his frank
ness with an utter stranger.
"The Foreign legion Is composed of
men of all nations, but largely of gen.
tlemen who have either disgraced
themselves or been disgraced by some
one else. You will find there a Rus.
sian colonel who has been cashiered
for cowardice. an English younger son
so dissolute that he has been ignored
by his family, an Austrian count who
has been ruined at the gambling table,"
Surely" | said. "you have not COM
mitted a crime?"
"Yes-that is to say. circumstances
made 1t appear that | committed a
crime. But let us not talk of that"
A shadow passed over his honest face.
II am here honored by your request
that shall serve as your model. What
pose will you give me?"
"Please seat yourself on that log"
He sat down on the log, light cane
that he had cut himself in his hands,
his position easy and graceful. | saw
no necessity for posing him anew.
"Just as you are," added
"In what direction shall lookr
considered for moment, then told
him to look straight at me. An honest
face is never SO honest as when 1t Is
looking you In the eyes. Rogues may
exhibit assurance. but they can never
counterfeit honesty at any rate not to
me. wished to get that frank express
sion of his. which would win any jury
and woman every time.
l made sketch. but was dissatisfied
with 1t and. tearing 1t up. made an
other. This was better, but was only
his face and figure without his ex-
preston. laid it aside and tried once
more. Meanwhile | engaged my model
In conversation with view to dra wing
out what | wished to get on paper.
though am free to confess my object
was partly to detain him. for he had
suddenly walked into my life, and |
felt that when he walked out of It an
impression would be left akin to lone
liness
kept him till had made four at
tempts at sketchlng him. and the fourth
time. by accident. ! suppose. caught
something of the expression was try
ing for. Then he arose, thanked me
for the honor had conferred upon
him and was about to depart when
| said,