Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-12-22
NUMBER 40.

was my easel, and upon the easel a canvas. Up
on this canvas, the face of Miss Folett. This
introduction of q picture within picture was
done with consummOte skill Her pure, girlish
face, seemed rather to be beamng through the
rrame in all its living beauty, than to be only
its painted semblance. represented her, as she
was hopeful Joyous, happy, elegant with that air
\ of high bred ease mingled with youthful gayety.
Yet in her eyes left that momentary look had
seen there, rs bowed myself out OF her presence
| at that hateful reception-a look OF soul ana
sympathy coming up with mist of tears thro'
her brightest SMILE As she looked then, 80 she
looked now at the artist who pictured 1t; for |,
too, formed part of the scene. The artist sat be-
fore his easel; he wore the rent and ancient coat.
His face could not be represented, except partly
in profile; but there was in his attitude, he sat
and gazed at the exquisite face before him. de-
spondency aud passion both. You could sJe that
he adored this beautiful portrait aud guess at
the sad story Of poverty and continually crushed
aspiration.
It was too dark to work before remembered
that had eaten nothing that day. Half famish-
ed, took my supper in the cellar beneath, and
returned again to my garrct. was resolved
that | would no one until my picture was
finished. i was in that exalted state OF mind aud
body which can accomplish wonders.
The next day Gamboge again ratified away at
my door, " Blast the fellow y do believe he's
committed suicde,' heard him exclaim and
then he stopped down and reconnoitred through
the keyhole.
1t seems that be had glimpse Of me for he
shouted, angrly. through that oridce beloved of
eavosdroppers, Say, old telowl if this is the
way you treat your friends, l'm oh!'
What other course he could have taken, except
to take himself OIL, do not see, so long as l
would not let him in. ! was now rid OF my best
friend a very comfortable thing, when person
gets la melodramatic and mournlul way; he
came more, and | worked for several days,
twelve hours per diem, upon my picture. spent
, almost as many hours reproducing the patches
, upon my coat, US had done, originally, in max
, ing them. AT last, the thing was done Linger
over it as lovingly as might, found not light
or shadow for my brushes to retouch.
, Then | went to bed and was i'll. Twenty four
hours | lay in a burning fever before anybody
, thought worth while to inquire about me. THIS
was Of the pleasures resulting from getting
. rid Of my friend. Finally, the waiter OF the Sa
/ loon, the one who had purchased my quail chick
, ems made his way up stairs, and receiving no
. answer to hs knock, opened the door aud cam2
, in. He had u real quail, delcatoly boiled aud
served up on slice OF toast, which he had
Q brought with him on plate-buL was TO Ill to
eat.
o "pve noticed you lookn kinder holler Eyed
and wild, lately, and was afraid you was sick
is Beg parding, sir, or intruding sir ; but thom
II chickens you painted has Interested my l1elinga"
n And with flourish, more becoming to his place
in the gilded saloon underneath, than to my
humble garret he set about making me comfort
uDC. 1 gu may Imagine Luc blhlo anu lCClUB N
d cold water TO one who has lain In raging fever,
without drop to qucnch it, for twenty four
" hours. lie put cool, wet napkins on my head,
and gave me plentiful, ambrosial draughts
k While he was still attending upon me, the door
. opened again, and my cstranged friend and bro
thor made his appearance with lady on his arm.
/ =" IIa what's this sick That comes Of ma
king goose Of yourself"
"Are geese particularly liable to brain fever"
| queried, family
H
matter. Just look AZ his eyes, Miss Bollett-big
f as eggs, aud bright as coa5."
She did look ut my eyes and ] looked at
hers. TO hide that which | in them she
turned away, and her glance fell upon the pic
tnre. | could see from the profile view had OF
her, the soft blush rising to cheek aud brow, the
sudden tuttering of the ribbons Of her hat
where they lay against her bosom. ! knew that
she understood the story of the picture
"Go for doctor, waiter, and I'll pay you fOr
your trouble,' said GambOgc.
Well, | reckon you WON'T responded my
friend Of the white apron, Indignantly,
OF course not you're my friend James.
But you need not go for doctor; shall geG
well without one. All want is cold water.
" Mr.. Umbcr,O murmured Miss FOllett, " you
must sell that picture to me of course you
would not dispose Of it to any one else. VIII
give you thousand dollars for il. But ! ought
, not to have spoken 20 you now. You must have
absolute silence and rest Farewell, | viii
20 come 10 see you Wutu 4 Htat iiyli GAAtppbH tlAs
yon are better"
! Her hand rested for an instant upon my burn
ing forehead, cool, soft, and fresh as u rOScle1b
its touch was sweet rs kiss; then she was gone.
After that glded of into q strange world OF
visions. The shade was drawn over the skyl ght
the flies were driven from the room, and Cam
boge walked about in my old slippers, nolsal'sj
as the figures which fitted through my dreams.
What more will not tell you OF my fever
visions, nor anything Of my rapid oohVaiesceocc
tt. Al lt.4l, "a "
age, my high color" subdned, my Wellrounded
frame showing a tri0ng aHgularlty, went, Que
evening, alone to Miss Folletts boudoir' She
sat on the pretty rose-hued diyan playing with ha
bunch OF roses, looking dlyinely beautiful, aud
thtnking-of me. | knew she was thinking Of
me- for when entered, and she saw me, ! could
read ID in her ingenious countenance. Without
waiting for her to speak, took the ottoman at
her feet.
the tears started to her eyes.
"Do you pity me, Agatha ?" | asked, for The
first time addressing her by her maiden lr5t
name.
- Yes, and love you, too"
She was alarmed after she had spoken put
she knew as well as If 4 had dared to tell hcr
that my heart was hers, and 50 she dropped her
head upon my shoulder aud sobbed for very
pity and deli ght,' for grlcb gladness, coniu'
sion. timidity aud inoXprossible JOY
Gambogc thinks it was very ungratelul for me
TO destroy the old coat he thinks | should have
saved it for the wedding, aud TO show to the
children, grandchildren, etc. But Agatha is
satisfied with the picture of it, which she has had
hung in her chamber, where am soon to bo per-
mitted to visit it.
elf ever your work basket overaows, you can
set TIMBER to darning the stockings" Gamboge
says to Agatha owing to his early education,
he'll be greal help to you in that line hes
as good at patching as painting
/ Then my betrothed bushes and smiles so pret-
tly, and looks over at me tenderly, as ii |
were TO be pitied for having had to mend my
clothes. The lovely little thing really thinks 1T
must have been a hardship.
o Agatha 20 pure, 50 noble, 50 exquisite, 80
womany blessings, blessings forever upon The
0!G Coat.