The Artist's Pay Day

• Watchlist

A young art student is loitering in his studio in company of his model, when suddenly the bell rings. It is the landlord's servant, who calls for the rent. As the student has no money in his pocket, he tells the man to call again at 4 o'clock. In rapid succession come many collectors, to whom the painter vies the same answer. He now goes out with some of his pictures which he tries to sell. During his absence, a robber comes in, and as he sees no one, he is making a futile search for valuables when somebody knocks at the door. Trapped, he ventures all, gets into the painter's clothes and opens the door. An aristocratic lady comes in and gives him a letter which reads: "My dear friend, This is to introduce you to Miss Menette of the Variety. Will you paint her portrait? We will settle the terms at our next meeting. Yours sincerely, Henry." The robber having become a painter is obliged to make the desired portrait, but before beginning, he asks the young lady to remove her jewels, saying it will be more artistic. Immediately the lady removes the jewels and gives them to the painter, who puts them in his pocket. At four o'clock the bell rings; the landlord has come for his money, the robber in order not to be troubled, pays the bill with the lady's money without opening the door and he again takes up his sketching, but soon another person rings the bell, another collector. Our painter pays the bill. Then he proposes to go out for a walk, the invitation is accepted immediately. On their way out, they meet with the third collector. To get rid of him, he pays again with the lady's money. Then the real painter comes back rather depressed because he did not sell his pictures. He is first astonished and then overjoyed to find his bills receipted in his pockets.