led her wondering soul with thoughts and feelings too great for
speech. To his mother was Michelangelo indebted for his leaning toward
art. His father opposed such a plebeian bent vigorously:

"Bah! to love beautiful things is all right, but to wish to devote all of
one's time to making them, just for others--ouch! it hurts me to think of
it!"

The mother was lenient and said, "But if our child can not be anything
more than a painter--why, we must be content, and God willing, let us
hope he will be a good one."

Ghirlandajo's was practically a school where, for a consideration, boys
were taught the secrets of fresco. The master always had contracts of his
own on hand and by using 'prentice talent made both ends meet. Young
Michel made it his lounging-place and when he strayed from home his
mother always knew where to find him.

The master looked upon him as a possible pupil, and instead of ordering
him away, smiled indulgently and gave him tasks of mixing colors and
making simple lines. And the boy showed such zest and comprehension that
in a short time he could draw freehand with a confidence that set the
brightest scholar in the background. Such a pupil, so alert, so willing,
so anxious, is the joy of a teacher's heart. Ghirlandajo must have
him--he would inspire the whole school!

So the master went to the father, but the father demurred, and his
scruples were only overcome when Ghirlandajo offered to reverse the rule,
and pay the father the sum that parents usually paid the master. A cash
payment down caused pater to capitulate, and the boy went to work--aged
fourteen.

The terms of his apprenticeship called for three years, but after he had
been at work a year, the ability of the youth made such an impression on
the master that he took him to Lorenzo, Lorenzo the Magnificent, who then
ruled over Florence.

Lorenzo had him draw a few sketches, and he was admitted to the Academy.
This "Academy" was situated in the palace of Lorenzo, and in the gardens
was a rich collection of antique marbles: busts, columns, and valuable
fragments that had come down from the days when Pericles did for Athens
what Lorenzo was then doing for Florence. The march of commerce has
overrun the garden, but in the Uffizi Gallery are to be seen today most
of the curios that Lorenzo collected.

By introducing the lad to Lorenzo, Ghirlandajo lost his best helper, but
so unselfish was this excellent master that he seemed quite willing to