Part 1

Hughie Erskine was good-looking man. In fact, he was best-looking gentleman in London. He had curly brown hair, grey eyes and handsome face. He also had many friends.
However, Hughie Erskine did not have much money. His father had been officer in army, but his father was dead. Now Hughie had his father’s sword and few books but no money.
Hughie Erskine had tried to do several jobs. He had worked for tea merchant selling tea. He had worked for wine merchant selling wine. But poor Hughie was not good at anything.
Hughie was in love and wanted to get married. He loved Laura Merton, daughter of army officer. Laura loved Hughie, but her father did not want them to get married.
‘You are fine young man,’ Colonel Merton said to Hughie, ‘but you have no money. My daughter cannot marry man with no money. You may marry my daughter when you have ten thousand pounds.’

Hughie did not have ten thousand pounds. He did not have ten pounds. His old aunt gave him four or five pounds week. Today he had only one pound in his pocket. Hughie was almost broke.
Hughie had friend called Alan Trevor. Alan was artist who painted pictures of people. He was good artist and quite famous. Many people wanted him to paint their portrait. people came to Alan’s studio. Alan painted their portraits in studio. Alan’s pictures were very expensive. He only painted pictures for rich men.
Hughie Erskine visited Alan Trevor in his studio. Alan was working on painting.
‘What do you think of this?’ asked Alan Trevor. ‘And what do you think of my model?’
Hughie looked at painting. It was picture of old beggar. Alan was painting picture of man who was standing in corner of studio.

model was old man dressed in old, torn clothes. old man’s face was sad. With one hand he held out hat. In other hand he held stick.
‘My model is wonderful,’ said Alan. ‘Have you ever seen such wonderful beggar?’
‘ poor old man,’ said Hughie. ‘How sad he looks.’
‘Of course,’ said Alan. ‘I don’t want him to look happy.’
‘How much is model paid for standing in your studio?’ asked Hughie.
‘Not much,’ answered Alan, ‘only shilling hour.’
‘And how much money do you get when you sell picture?’ asked Hughie.
‘For this picture, I will get two thousand pounds,’ said Alan.
‘You’re rich man. I think model should get some of money,’ said Hughie.
‘ nonsense… nonsense!’ said Alan. ‘It’s difficult to be painter. It’s not difficult to be beggar. Few people can paint pictures. Anyone can beg.’
‘But many people want to be rich and famous painters,’ said Hughie. ‘No one wants to be poor beggar. You artists are very unkind.’
Alan Trevor laughed. ‘I’m busy,’ he said. ‘Sit down and stop talking.’

servant came in. ‘ gentleman is outside, sir. He wants you to paint his portrait. Can you speak to him, please?’
‘Don’t go away,’ Alan said to Hughie. ‘I’ll be back in moment.’
Alan left room. old beggar sat down on chair and rested. His hat was still in his hand.
old man looked so sad that Hughie felt sorry for him. Hughie put his hand in his pocket. He had pound. It was last of his money.
Well, he needs money more than I do, thought Hughie.
Hughie went across room and put pound in old man’s hat.
old man was very surprised. He looked at money and smiled.
‘Thank you, sir,’ he said. ‘Thank you very much.’