Collis P. Elseworth was a respectable businessman who suffered greatly from the useless purchases he made, which were disastrous for both his health and his pocket. 1. The patient agreed. Soon a poor art student whose name was Frank Swain was invited to give him art lessons. Frank was sure that the old man would never learn to draw. 2. The old man worked very hard and spent most of his time drawing something. Besides he seemed to take a great interest in the galleries and the painters who were exhibited there. 3. When spring came and the trees were in bloom, Mr. Elaseworth made a picture
which he called Trees Dressed in White. The picture was awful, but the old man announced that he was going to exhibit it in the summer show at the Lathrop Gallery. It was the biggest exhibition of the year, and a Lathrop. prize was the lifetime dream of every artist in the United States. 4. Fortunately, it was hung in a dark corner where visitors could hardly see it.
Two days before the close of the exhibition Mr. Elseworth was awarded the first prize of a thousand dollars for his painting. When Frank heard about this, he was astonished. “Congratulations, sir,” said he, seeing the old man. “5.” “Art's nothing,” said Mr. Elseworth. “I bought the Lathrop Gallery last month.”