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

w nv not, BIZ = ItDbdbtu ing ldbhtIg very bVeI-
getioalfy. "What could you wish for better
The young lady is handsome good.tempered,
educated, and rich. Now, Franz, If thought
you had been such fool as to form any other
''Oh, sir YOU do me injustice ~ / cried "But
do you think that-that she would have mep
'srry her. Franz" said my father, good hu-
moredly, as he resumed my arm. "If am not
very much mistaken, the burgomaster would be
as well pleased as myself; and as for the Frau
lien-women are easily won."
We had by this time reached the door of the
inn where my father was to sleep for the night.
As he lett me his last words were:-
"Try her, Franz-try her.
From this time became frequent visitor at
the house of the Burgomaster van Gael. II was
a large, old-fa,hioned mansion, built of red
brick, and situated upon the famous line of
houses known as the Boomjes. In front lay the
broad river, covered with merchant vessels,
from whose masts futtered the flags of all the
trading nations of the world. Tall trees, thick
with foliage, lined the quay, and the sunlight
fickered through the leaves upon the spacious
drawing-rooms of Gertrude's home.
Here, hight after night, when the studies OF
the day we're over, / used to sit with her beside
the open window, watching the busy crowd
beneath, the rlppling river, and the rising moon
that tipped the masts and city spires WIN silver.
Here we read together from the hrst pale stars
that trembled into Light
1t was happy time. But there came at last
a time still happier, when, one still evening, as
we sat alone, Conversing IN intrequent whispers
and listening to the beating OF each others
hearts, / told Gertrude that loved her; and
she, in answer, laid her fair head upon my
shoulder with sweet confidence, as II content
so to II st forever. Just as my father had pre-
dicted the burgomaster readily sanctioned our
belrotha specifying bat one condition, and this
vas that our marriage should not take place till
had attained my twenty-hfth year. 1t was
long time to wait, but l should by that time,
perhaps, have made name in my profession.
/ intended soon to send picture to the annual
exhlbiJion-and who could tell what might
= -, AIran e.. Hh.Nsrv DaNk ~ h.N.y
dearly | loved her?
And so our happy youth rolled on and the
quaint old dial in the Messer van GaePs garden
told the passage OF our goldenhours. In the
meantime worked sedulOusly at my picture.
] labored upon it all the winter; and wnen spring
time came / sent 1t in, with no small anxiety as
to its probable position upon the walls of the
gallery. 1t was view in one OF the streets of
Rotterdam. There were the high old houses
with their gables and carved door ways, and the
red sun set glittering on the Oanes of the upper
windows; the canal flowing down the centre OF
the street, the white draw bridge, with q barge
Just passing underneath, the green trees deep III
the shadow, and the s1ire OF the church of st.
Lawrence rising beyond against the clear, warm
sky When 1t was quite finished and about TO
be sent away, even Hans van Roos nodded
cold encouragement, and said that it deserved a
good position. He had himself prepared paint
ing this year, on a more ambitious scale and
larger canvas than usual. IJ was sacred sub
iect. and represented the conversion OF ST. Paul.
His pupils admired it warmly, and none more
than myself. We all pronounced it to be his
masterpiece, and the artist was evidently of our
opinion.
The day of the exhibition came at last. had
scarcely slept the previous night, and the early
morning found me with a number OF other stu
dents, waiting impatiently before the yet un-
opened door. When arrived, it wanted an hour
to the time, but half the day seemed to elapse
before we heard the heavy bolts give way inside,
and then forced our way through the narrow
barriers. 1 had flown up the stair case, and
in fhn fret hnfn / an.
bered that l should have purchased catalogue
at the door, had not patience, however, to go
back tor it; so strooe round and round the room,
looking eagerly TOR my picture. 1t was nowhere
to be seen, and passed Oh to the next Here my
search was equally unsuccessful.
'It must be in the third room," said to my
self, where all the best works are placed! Well,
il it be hung ever so high, or in ever so dark a
corner, it is, at all events honor to have ones
| picture in the third ROOM"
| But, though spoke so bravely, 1t was with a
| sinking heart / ventuTed III. I could not really
hope tor good place among the magnaLes ol
the art; while in either of the other rooms there
| had been possibility that my picture might re-
| Ceiye toleTable position.
The house had formerly been the mansion oi
| merchant of enormous wealth, who had left
! it, with his valuable collection OF paintings TO
| the State. The third room had been his recep
| tlonchamber, and the space over the magnid
| cent-carved chimney was assigned as the place
| OF honor to the best painting. The painter oi
| this picture always received costly prize, tol
| which he was likewise indebted to the munii
| cence Of the founder. To this spot my eyes
| were naturally turned as / entered the door
| Was / dreaming? l stood still turned ho
| and cold by turns-l ran forward. 1t was nc
Illusion. There was my picture, my own picture,
in its little modest frame, installed in the chie
place of the gallery And there, too, was the
| official card stuck in the corner with the words
''PRIzB PAINTING printed upon it in shining
| gold letters. l ran down the staircase, anC
bought catalogue, thatEmY eyes might be glad
dened by the confirmation of this JOY and
there, sure enough, was printed at the com
mencement, ANNUAL PRIZE PAINTING VIelo O.
| Rotterdam, No. l27-FRARz LINDEN | coulC
looking at my picture. | walked from one sid
to the other, | Tetreated, advanced closer to IL
looked at 1t in every possible light, and lorgo
all but my happiness.
IA very charming little painting, sir said
voice at my elbow.
1t was an elderly gentleman with gold spec
tacles and an umbrella. colored up, and said
taIJeringly:-
''Do you think so ?n q
81 do Sir" said the old gentlemany 81 am al
amateur-I am very fond of picUUres presume
tnat you are also an admirer OF art?"
very nice little painting, indeed; very nice
he continued as he wiped his glasses, and ad
"Waters very liquid, colors pure, sky transpa
rent, perspective admirable. I'll buy it,"
win YOUR l exclaimed, ioyfully. ooh
thank you, sir !n
"Ohn said the old gentleman, turning suddenl
upon me and smiling kindly, $50 you are tn
artist, are you? Happy to make your acquaint
ance, Messer Linden. You are very youn
man to paint such picture as that. l congratu
late you sir; and4-Ill buy it,"
So we exchanged cards, shook hands, and bC
came the best OF friends in the world. wa
burning with impatience to see Gertrude, an
tell her all my good fortune; but my new patro