The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-11
Painting = Spirit.

and was IN suuSequ0N nN"oo' VI wv
same periodical, fully vouched for by the
artist himself: v
Same few wears ago well known artist
received n commission from Lady F. to
naint n portrait of her husband. 1t was
settled that he should execute the COM
mission at F. Hall, in the country, be-
cause his engagements were too many to
permit his entering upon work till the
London season should be over. AS he
happened to be on terms OF Intimate ac-
ouaintance with the employers, the ar
rangement was satisfactory to all concern
ed. and on the 18th of September, he set
out in good heart to perform his engage
mcnt.
|. lie took the train for the station nearest
F. Hall. and found himself, when first
starting. alone in a carriage. His solitude
did not however, continue long. At the
first station out of London, young lady
entered the carriage aDJ took the corner
opposite him. She was very delicate look
ing, with remarkable blending OF sweet
ness and sadness in her cOuntenance,
which did not fail to attract the notice of
n man of observation and sensibility. For
some time neither uttered syllable. But
at length the gentleman made the remarks
usual under such circumstances, on the
weather and the country, and the Ice be-
inr broken thev entered into conversation.
They spoke of painting. The artist was
much surprised by the intimate knowl-
edge the young lady seemed to have of
himself and his doings. He was quite GER
tain that he had never seen her before.
His surprise was by no means lessened
when she suddenly inquired if he could
make, from recollection, the likeness of n
person whom he had seen only once, or
at most twice? He was hesitating " hat
TO reply when she added:
"Do YOU think, for example, that you
could paint me from recollection p
He replied that he was not quite sure,
but perhaps he could.
well" she replied, "look at me
again; you may have to take a likeness
Of me"
lie complied with this odd request,
and she asked rather eagerly:
"Now do you think you could p
"I think So" he replied, "but | can
moi say CeIlhIll'
At this moment the train stopped. The
young lady arose from her seat, and
smiled in friendly manner on the paint
er and bade him good bye, adding, as she
Quilted the carriage, 1--WE shall meet
again soon." The train ratified off, and
Mr.. H., the artist, was left to his own re-
Elections.
The station was reached in due time,
and Lady F.'s carriage was there to meet
the expected guest. 1t carried Him to
the place of his destination, one of the
stately homes of England" after pleas
ant drive, and deposited him at the hall
door, where his host and hostess were
standing to receive him. A kind greet
ing passed, and he was shown room,
for the dinner hour was close at hand.
Having completed his toilette and de-
scended to the drawing room, Mr.. II. was
much surprised, and much pleased to see,
seated on one of the ottOmans, his young
companion of the railroad carriage. She
sat bv his side at dinner, spoke to him two
or three times, mixed in the geneal con.
verSation, and seemed perfectly at home.
Mr.. II. had no doubt Of her being an init
mate friend of his hostess. The evening
passed away pleasantly. The converse.
! ton turned IL good-deal upon the fine arts
in general, and on painting in particular,
and Mr.. Ii. was cntreated to show some
of the sketches he had brought down with
| him from London. He readily procured
them, and the young lady was much in
tcrc>tcd by them.
At a late hour the party broke up, and
retired to their several apartments.
Next morning early, Mr.. II. was tempt
cd by the bright sunshine to leave his
room and stroll out into the park. The
drawing room opened into the garden ;
passing it, he cnquired Of servant who
was busy arranging the furniture, whcsh-
er the young lady had come down yet
"What young lady, sir!" asked the
man, with an appearance of surprise.
THE young lady who dined here last
night"
NO young lady dined here last night
sir" replied the man, looking tixedly al
him.
.. The painter said no more, thinking
within himself that the servant was either
very stupid or had a very bad memory
So, leaving the room, he sauntered ou
into the park.
lie was returning to the house, when
his host met him, and the usual morning
saIutations passed between them.
Your fair young friend has left you =
observed the artist.
"What young friend?" inquired tn
lord of the manor.
"The young lady who dined here las
night, returned Mr.. ii.
cannot imagine to whom you refer,
replied the gentleman very greatly sur
prlsed.
"Did not a young lady dine and spen
the evening here yesterday" 2" persiste
Mr.. H., who in turn began to wonder.
mo" replied his host; "most certain
ly not. There was no one at the tabl
but yourself, my lady, and |"
The subject was never reverted to attc
this occasion, yet our artist never coul
bring himself to believe that he was labor
ing under delusion. II the whole wer
q dream, it was dream in two parts. A
surely as the young lady had been hi
companion. in the railway carriage, s
surely had she sat beside him at the dir
ncr table. Yet she did not come agai
and everybody in the house except hin
self, appeared to be ignorant of her e'
istence.
t lie finished the portrait on which i
t was engaged, and returned to London.
5 For NNO whole years he followed up h
r profession, growing in reputation an
/ working hard. Yet he never all the viii
, forgot single lineament in the young fa'
, Of his fellow traveller. He had no clue b
t which to discover whence she had com
S or who she was. He often thought
| her but spoke to no one about her. The
2, was mystery about the matter whle
/, imposed silence on him. 1t was viii
e strange, utterly unaccountable.
= Mr.. Ii. was called by business to Ca
t terbury. An old frind Of his-whOm v
81 Ill call Mr. Wulda ra,;dod thora M