Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-08-12


A fortnight from the date of the fore.
going, and Alice was at Saratoga, accom-
panied by her father.
The artist was on his way to Italy.
We must now pass over nearly year in
the history Of the lovers. Rudolph was
still abroad assidously engaged in the study
of his profession. He had made rapid
progress and was deemed one Of the most
promising of his gifted young countrymen!
The fame Of his later efforts had been
waited across the Atlantic, and the Jour
mails of his native city frequently alluded TO
his career as likely to reflect honor on the
fine arts Of his country. His triumph
piece, was the head of Madonna. 1t was
one Of the most life-like and beautiful spe-
crnens of modern art, and had won plau-
dts from many Of the best connosures of
the old world. They little knew that the
artist had but painted the spirit of his
dreams--thc idol of his heart-the soul
speaking feature of Alice Montgomery
|
An expression somewhat similar stole into
the faces of his female portraits. He was
told of it again and again, but in vain
The eyes Of Alice looked out from beneath
every brow He felt this defect as great
weakness; but could not correct it.
But what Of Alice herselfl She was
seventeen years of age, when under a sense
of duty TO her only surviving parent, she
endeavored TO tear the image of the artist
from her soul. A lovelier being never
beau,ifed the family of man. AS gentle
as dove--as confding as child--as pure
and blameIess in her life as Eve before the
fal!--how cruel to crush and blight SO true
Q nature--to break so gentle spirit She
seemed formed to enjoy and to impart hap
piness. She was all emotion and sens-
bility. She was, perhaps, too susceptible.
Her feelings were too fine for the ordinary
vicissitudes Of life--for the shocks and
conflicts to which the multitude are subject
ed. Her mother dead-her father cold
e proud and absorbed in the monetary af
c fairs of his position, her soul seemed to
spring, as if by some secret sympathy, to
, the unbounded devotion of the artist. But
the rash and cruel conduct of her father,
struck like death blow to the inner depth
Of her soul. Her smile lost its brightness
her step its eastcity-her voice its lark
like tone of joy. The rose gradually faded
I from her cheek, and thought, like dim and
! mysterious shadow, seemed to weigh upon
her spirit. At times, she would rouse her
self-especiaIIy when she saw the eye OF
her father glancing toward her, half in an
/ ger and half in inquiry. But, the effort
: was forced and artificial, and the gaiety
+ thus assumed passed like the dew before
5 the morning sun. In vain her father ac
d companied her to scenes of festivity and
pleasure. For little season, their novelty
had charm, but it speedily wore away
s and the reaction produced by such excite.
ment, was evidently injurious 10 her con-
y stitution and general spirits. The name Of
t the artist never passed her lips except al
: her hours of prayer, and then she confessed
: to her God that she could not forget the
one image still SO fresh in the interior OF
s her heart, whose name had never been sui.
: lied with dishonor, and whose only crimes
e were poverty, and affection for her. Thus
time stole slow y on, Alice evidently grow
t ing more feeble The ablest medical aid
+ was called, and her malady, as is ever the
e case when the spirit faints and sinks with
y in the frame-whcn a nameleSs grief is eat.
ing out cxistence-was pronounced TO be
Of pulmonary character Alice smiled
II The Banker blind to the reality. or closing
= his eyes to the truth, watched his daughter
e fading away daily and hourly, until her fate
Vt was decded--unlil her case was pronoun
IS ced hopeless, and beyond the reach of med
II ical skill Again she smiled as the solemn
d decision was pronounced, and turning tc
e her father, she pressed his hand with affec
n ton, and assured him that death had NJ
e tcrrors for her. She would soon, she said
n be with her mother in Heaven.
e The Banker hid his face with his hands
is and wept like child. He, now. for thC
l. first time realized the truth in all its fright
s. full reality. Consumption was a disease
'e unknown before in his family and he hac
lie secuted the idea from the first. Time, h,
e. mady believed, would sooner or later fore,
n tho mage of the artists love into forget