Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-12-22

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.....a.szzza8e
When he opened The door to us thot ielt mo-
mentarily abashed.
The rooms were somewhat shadowy; but to me
they seemed almost glarng as entered and
found them just comfortably thronged, cool, and
perfumed, the silence disturbed, not driven out,
10y subdued voices.
When Gamboge spoke my name Miss Follett
smiled her recognition of it after addressing a
few words to us, some one else came in, and we
stepped back. | could look at her whilst she
talked to others. Instead of being tall and ma
iestc she was slender and grlish her face was
fair and pure her voice incomparaby sweet
She looked more as if she had been brought up
by angels, than in fashionable boarding school
She may, or may not have been dressed in the
mode | only recall that her raiment was white
and floating, clasped at the throat with an opal
brooch. Immediately deep sadness took pos
session Of me | did not analyze it felt here
the presence of wealth, luxury, art, taste, beauty,
all things so agreeable to the artist soul, and
recalled my lonely attic, bare, unturnished, rude
Body and soul had fourshed we'll upon plain
fare seasoned with hope; but now, hope died
out and felt all my privations crushngly. All
this, perhaps, was ia the gaze which | fixed un
consciously upon my hostess ; for when her eyes
met mine after time, they were arrested for u
moment. l saw that she ptied me.
You know none of my friends" said she, in
a low voice. coming up to me, except Gamboge.
Will you not look at these engravings they be-
long to the Turner Gallery Are they not eX-
quisite ~
followed her to the table, and bent to admire
them.
Rip
| stood upright, and made some wandering re-
ply Ny back was to the window, and | could
only think of my coat heard persons suppress
ing laughter, who were standing behind me.
'You do not like engravings? Here is a new
picture it was hung yesterday but it seems to
me to require more light. | will open this shat
ter-there that is better. If it could be lower
ed triae-Mr. TIMBER, you are the tallest will
you, please, reach that cord ~
| reached to lower the cord, as desired.
Rip rip!
1t seemed as if the room was silent on purpose
to make the report of the treacherOus stitches
more startling. People pressed around to admire
the painting, and | took the opportunity of re-
treating towards sofa; but | was blind with
embarrassment, and stumbled against foot
cushion.
Rip! rip rip
knew, | felt the worst. My coat had yielded;
only the collar kept the two halves from falling
apart. The company wanted to laugh, but was
too we'll bred
"Umber p burst forth Gamboge, 81 told you
not to wear that coat !"-he forgot himself, in
his passion.
Did | not spend two hours in mending it ~
retorted, as angrily. " | did not think ii would
serve me such trickW
This was too much for the gravity even of that
high toned salon. A burst of irrepressible mer-
riment restored me to self possession, and, turn
ing to my hostess, | said " You have obeyed
the New Testament, Miss Follett, in bidding the
beggar to your feast. My starved soul was so
hungry for beauty-somethng more substantial
than It's own dreams-that it insisted upon com
ing, despite it's outward apparelling. Bat, like
Cinderella have stayed too long at the ball
my fnery has turned into rags again. In return
for your kindness, if you or your friends would
like to be present at one Of my receptions. here
is my card. | am at home every morning."
Bowing low, handed her piece of red card
board which happened to be in my pocket hav-
ing been taken from box Of artists materials
which had once ordered. Again the company
laughed, more convulsively than before. In
bowing, my coat had fallen apart over either
arm. At that moment, caught sight of myself
in large mirror in spite of my accident, l
swear looked better than any man in the rooms;
my eyes were blazing like stars, my cheeks were
flushed, aud curious smile curled my lips. |
saw too, that Miss Follett was not laughing, but
perhaps she had been, for there were tears in her
eyes Backing from her presence in regular
court fashion, gained the street. leaving the
two footmen staring after me in stupid astonish-
ment
The boys hooted at me, as I passed along !;
and presently policeman laid his hand upon my
arm.
al arrest YOU" said he.
"What for ?"
"For fighting. Isn't your coat all torn oil
your back ~
You are an acute fellow" said /, admiringly'
"Anyways you're getting up rumpus.
Aren't them boys all yelling, aud hootng and
running because of the figure you cuts You
disturb the peace. So come along, my gentle"
1t did not take a very great amount OF my
aroused energy to knock the impudent M. L.
down but it was an unwise movement, and re-
suited in my being set upon by the crowd, and
hustled to the station-house. Appearances were
against me. If my cell had been clean, should
not have cared so much for the night was com
PEELED to spend in it as it was would not go
to bed, but walked, three steps, forward ana BACK,
until day-break. That morning, the oIhcer whom
had assaulted appeared against me, and was
fined five dollars for wearing ragged garment,
instead Of being given twice as much to buy me
a new one Such is justice As | had not the
required amount was returned to prison. RON
whence | sent forth message to GamD08e, Whoi
like the friend he was, soon came to the rescue
He was rather sullen though after we got away
4" You made such fool OF yourself yesterday,
he remarked
"It was my coat made fool of me-" said /
"Come let us hurry to your room every
body stares at us.
off you are ashamed of me, you can dispense
with my company" said |, haughtily. And
turning abruptly away from him, L took an
alley-way which came out near my place. Ilred'
hungry, and irritated, / entered my garret, with
It's cold sky-lght looking down critically upon
me and mine For the first time, | loathed my
crackers and cheese ; but l would not go down
in that miserable coat to get cup OF conee,
though had some change in my pocket. had
not even the spirit to try mendlng H. put Threw
myself upon the bed to Sleep. | would sleep ;
but when | awoke, what then? Four years OF
patient labor had accomplished this much-that
was poorer, more discouraged than ever. Yet
Miss Folett had recognized my merit as an
artist. Miss Follett-my face burned, ana l
pushed away the thought OF her. No matter l
am tired, aud will sleep