The Lebanon Express

A Gifted San Francisco Young Woman Artist Had an Interesting Start.

People who noticed in The Examiner window a splendid cast of the head of Sitting Bull will be interested to hear the pretty romance of the young artist whose work it was.

It was modeled by Miss Alice Rideout, a young lady of less than 18 years of age, who has already shown such talent that she bids fair to take front rank among the host of artists that the Pacific slope can claim as its own.

Her first start in her chosen profession can be directly traced to a large English mastiff owned by her family, although her artistic aspirations date back to her early childhood. One day, while accompanied by the mastiff, she passed the open door of a sculptor's studio. The animal rushed in and, with apparent deliberation, knocked over the pedestal upon which was placed for exhibition the artist's latest work. An arm and leg were shattered, and the piece lay a seeming wreck on the floor. The attendant was wild.

The girl endeavored to make excuses for the dog, but nothing would answer. Offers were made to pay for the damage, but to no avail. The man, dreading that upon the artist's return he would lose his position, was inconsolable. The girl begged to be allowed to repair the piece, and after repeated entreaties the man consented, with the remark that while he did not believe it could be fixed, he was very certain she could not injure it.

He mixed the clay for her, and watched with interest the unpracticed fingers doing the work that the accomplished artist had so lately finished and taken so much pride in. An hour passed with most gratifying results; the arm was restored and was perfect; the attendant was happy.

Another hour the leg approached completion, when lo, the artist appeared on the scene. He took in the situation at a glance, and unnoticed by the occupants of the room watched the work. Finished, explanations are in order and given. The artist is charmed, declares the work of restoration has added new charms to the piece, and having heard from the girl the great ambition of her life, went with her to her home and insisted that her parents should allow her an opportunity to learn the art for which she evidently had so much inherent talent. -San Francisco Examiner.