The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-03

MILLION OF MONEY! ETC.
NY father was trader and distiller at Schie-
dam, on the Mas. without being wealthy, we
enjoyed the means of procuring every social
comfort. We gave and received visits rom
few old friends, we went occasionally TO tne
theatre and my father had his tulIp-garden and
/ summer-house at little distance from Schiedam,
on the banks OF the canal which connects the
town with the river.
4 But NV father and mother whose only child I
was, cherished one dream of ambition, in which,
fortunately my own tastes led me to participate;
A they wanted me to become painter. Let me
but see picture of Frank Linden in the gallery
of Rotterdam" said my father "and shall die
happy" So, at fourteen years OF age, was
removed from school, and placed in the classes
of Messer Keeer, artist living at Debt.
4 Here made such progress that; by the time
4 had reached my nineteenth birthday, was
4 transferred to the dteller OF Hans van Roos,
1 descendant of the celebrated family OF that time
4 Wan Roos was not more than thrty-eight or
q forty years of age, and had already acquired
i considerable reputation as painter Of portraits
and sacred subjects. There was an altar-piece
of his in one of our finest churches; his works
4 had occupied the place OF honor for the past
six years at the annual exhibition; and for por-
traiture - Numbered among his patrons most OF
the wealthy merchants and burgomasters OF the
city. Indeed, there could be no question that
i my master was rapidly acquiring a fortune
4 commensurate with his popularity.
4 Still he was not a cheerful man. 1t was Whls-
= pered by the pupils that he had met with dis
appointment early in lite-that he had loved,
been accepted, and on the eve OF marriage was
! rejected by the lady for a more wealthy suitor.
He came from Fresland in the north of Hol-
land, when very young man. He had always
been the same gloomy, pallid, labor loving cltl'
zen. He was rigid Calvinist. He was sparing
of domestic expenditure, and liberal to the poor.
] This every one could tell you, and no one knew
more.
The number of his pupils was limited to six.
He kept us constantly at work, and scacely
4 permitted us to exchange word with each other
4 during the day. Standing there among us so
4 silently, with the. light from above pouring
n down upon his paid face, and becoming absorb
ed in the sombre folds of mis- long black dress
ing-eown, he looked almost like some stern old
4 portrait himself To tell the truth, we were all
II Somewhat afraid of him. Not that he assumed
. any undue authority 4; on the contrary, he was
stately, silent, and frgdly polite but his polite
ness had in il something oppressive, and we were
4 all happier out of his pre- ence. None OF us re-
& sided under his root. l had second floor In q
Il neighboring street, and two of my FELLOWSHIP
4 dents occupied rooms in the same house. We
r used TO meet at night in each others chambers,
and made excursions to the exhibitions and
theatres; and sometimes, on summers even
ing, we would hire pleasure-boat and row for
II mile or two down the river. We were merry
enough then, and not quite so silent, promise
"A you, as in the gloomy studio OF Hans van Roos.
In the meantime, was anxious to CLEAN every
4 benefit from my masters instructions. l i'm
a proved rapidly and my paintings soon eXcelled
those of the other five: My taste did not an
4 ROos, bot rather to the familiar rural style OF
Berghem and Paul Potter. 1t was my great
delight TO wander among the rich pasture lands;
# to watch an am Der sunset, the herds going home
4 to the dairy the lazy wind-mills, and the calm,
g clear waters OF the canals, scarcely rutiied by
the passage Of the public teTckSchuyt. In de
* spicting scenes of this nature
~ The slow canal the yellow-blossomed vale,
The willOw.tufed bank, the gliding sail
4 l was singularly fortunate My master never
= praised me by word Hr look but when my
father came up one day from Schiedam to visit
81 he said to him, in a tone inaudble to the rest
that "Messer Franz would do credit to the pro
Y fesslon;n which so delighted the good distiller
that he straightway took me out with him tol
the day, and, having given me fifteen gold
pieces as testimonial OF his satisfaction, took
me to dine with his friend the burgomaster
Van Gael. IL was an eventtul visit for me. Oh
81 that evening first fell in love-
Few people, think, would at that time havt
denied the personal attractions OF Gertrude var
U Gael: yet do not know that II was so much he
features as her soft voice and gentle womanly
grace that fascinated me. Though so young
she perfo rmed the honors of her fathers princel
M table with selt-possession and good breeding. Ii
IN the evening she sang some sweet German song
TO her own simple accompaniment. We talket
OF books and OF poetry. | found her well reat
j.. IN English, French, and German literature. w
spoke OF art, and she discovered both iudgmen
and enthusiasm.
As we took our leave at night the Burgomaste
shook me warmly by the hand, and told me Z
& frightened when he SAID 1t, and felt the colo
rush quickly to my brow as / bowed AM
thanked hun.
''Franz," said my father when we we're ono
more ia the street, ''how old are you ~
"Just twenty two, SIR / replied, rather sun
prised at the question.
"You will not be dependent on your brush
my boy" continued my iather, as ne leaned upo
my arm and looked back at the lofty mansio
we had Just left. 81 have been neither wastefu
nor unsuccessful; and IT will be my pride t
leave you a respectable income at my death"
| inclined my head in silence, and WondeTe
what would come next.
'Burgomaster van Gael is one of my oldes
W fIiends,n said NV father.
81 have often heard you speak OF him. sir"
replied.
And he Is Iich."
$50 should suppose"
Gertrude will have a fine fortune" said m
father, as ii thinking aloud.
bowed agaip but this time rather neryousll
Marry her, Franz
dropped his arm and started back.
Strip faltered, IL marry the Fraulei
van Gael 2"
"And pray, sir, why not gn said my fathe
curtly stopping short in his walk and leanin
Doth hands upon the top Of his walking-stick.