Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-05-26

! N'ucu as usual, Dut silently. onc Wept tilat 81
was dependent Oh one who cared so little ADO,
her; and after months had passed, and no chang
the thought fixed itself upon her mind. to forl
some plan, unknown to him, to help suppo
herself
Her husband was not wealthy, but as III
world say, Independent. that is, had enough fc
every comfort and little beside He was eve
fond of one luxury, he termed it a luxury.
which was painting. lie filled his house, a
far as his means allowed, with paintings, frol
the hands of the most eminent artists of til
day.
Mrs. Chase. too, admired fine painting an
could herself draw and paint with some taste
bmt she had not time to practice, and her accom-
pllshment was as nothing to her The though
often forced itself upon her mind that she Nigh
perfect herself in painting, and thus make it
source OF pleasure to pass away the time
which hung SO heavily and profit. She at onc
prepared her materials. and silently and alone
commenced her work with none to encoura re
She found the hours to pass away more swiftly
and she felt more cheerful less gloomy: an,
when she met her husband she was less watch
fnl OF his looks, more gentle, more ready t,
please /; and upon the whole happier woman.
MIR. Chase noticed the change, but made nc
remark, yet he wondered. Ills object was t.
cure her OF her folies, hoping time would make
her all he once anticipated she was but an un
pleasant sensation was ever in his heart wher
he met her of late. fearing he had carried things
too Tar, and her heart was alienated from him en-
l'rely. These thoughts gave him, imperceptibly
a more kind and gentle manner towards her: but
she gave no heed; for her feelings had long beer
in manner deadened.
Thus days passed, and even weeks, and one
cay Mr.. Chase returned with stranger with
INN, who spent the evening also two ladies' Of
Mrs. Chases acquaintance came in.
The stranger, in casting his eyes about the
room, noticed the many paintings, and spoke Of
one as beirg peculiarly interesting, both in
style and scenery. His remarks caused Mrs
Chase to look at the one alluded to, and was
greatly astonshed to see painting of ners
which she had disposed of week before, hang
ing in the room.
Mr.. Chase said he had purchased it, as from
an unknown artist of great merit and was pro-
fuse in his praises of its beauty.
a hope sprung up in the mind Of Mrs. Chase
that what was at first only intended for amuse-
ment and to help her in pin money, would lead
to happy results.
with it. Twas struck with its chase beauty
the moment saw it,
1t displays n rich and cultivated taste said
one of the ladies'.
a cultivated taste. 1t shows cultiva ed
mind: no one could produce SO splendid a dis.
play ofthe works Of nature unless he had served
long erd devoted years to the art; and his mind
must have been filled with nature itself to con.
ccive it in such glowing tints, said Mr.. Chase.
Mrs. Chase was finishing another not long af-
ter, for sale; and was so intent upon her work,
that she was not aware some one knocked at
the door Of her room, till it was opened. She,
supposing it to be Martha, the maid did not lock
up, but said hastily, Misunderstanding, take
care how you approach me, you Will DO damage
touch to this shr"Jbcry.' She ' continued absor.
bed in her work, when a sudden exclamation
made her look up, and she met the gaze of her
husband. She felt affrghted for moment, and
from the impulse of the moment attempted to
cover it with her hands but alas, her hands
would not cover a corner Of it. A moments
thought convinced her she had done nothing to
be ashamed Of and she again looked at him with
an anxious look he stood as if bewldered. lie
turned his head and met her deeply anxious
look. The whole plan rushed upon his mind at
once, and forge,ful of everything else, he caught
her to his heart with aquivering lip.
Mary-,Mary, my wife; .nobly have you re-
ueelIleu your III tnIS. w
wonderful never shall it be said, even by. you
dearest, that am unjust-forgive me, Mary
And will you love me as well as YOU did
before offended you 2 said his wife.
you shall see by my actions; they speak
louder than words. Finish that. and place your
name upon it as the artist said Mr.. Chase.
She looked at him inquiringly, but did as he
told her.
Now send it to him, for whom you agreed to
paint it,
q have no wish to send it now, said Mrs.
Chase.
No matter for that, Mary said Mr.. Chase
who was delighted with her skill, | would have
it so'
The painting was sent, and as Mr.. Chase
foresaw, great was the wonder and amazement
Of all who knew Mrs. Chase. Her fame spread
far and wide, great were the offers for paintings
of all descriptions, which she would have refu-
sed to supply; but her husband was so carried a
way with the beautiful scenes, wrought by the
magic of her pencil, that nothing but her i'll
health, would convince him she must rest
Then he realized his seliishness and her feeble
yet gentle yielding to his overbearing spirit
y
Mrs Chase reclined upon a sofa, one warn
afternoon, and insonsibly fell asleep. Wher
she awoke, she saw her husband standing before
her, intently gazing upon her.
'You are sick, dearest =? said Mr.. Chase.
NO. only langud, and, looking up with 9
smile, said, / suppose, if wished, you woult
have no objection to my going to ball tonight
and going with me, would you?
Why do you ask SO strange question
Mary p
Il was thinking, perhaps that what was dc
,.,l Il, he, cd 4,