Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-03-09
SELECTED STORIES.
an OLD MAIDS ROMANCE.
CHAPTER I,

"But what is it worth to you Julian
That is, not as an occupation OF amuse-
ment. but IN money? More vulgar
dross, you know, yet necessary Ia q
world like ours. What is Its msrketa-
The speaker glanced round the small
room in which be stood, with an eye
FRAT seemed TO take each detail In turn,
and check it off mentally. The frag-
ments of illuminated borders and bits
Of diaper work; the bright cOlOrs hard
IL dry upon the palette; the book OF
aoI6 leaf. with its attendants cushion,
knife aud brush; aud lastly, strange
seeming inconsistency with these med
laval appliances, an easel with large
painting upon 1t, the cover OF which
was partially drawn aside.
The old gentleman who had spoken,
and who was rather out of his element,
looked at the yOung occupant or the
room and shnffisd little.
81 don't pretend to know anything
about this nick-nackery, he continu-
ed: s'but that, now" indicating the
easel with a significant nod, has 20 me
more the sembiance Of real work about
IL than the rest. 4 picture is picture,
and can be sold. 1 suppose; that is, Il
it's worth buying. Still, tor all that,
must persist in lay questiOL-the mar
ketable value of your productions, Ju
Iian?"
not at once answer the question, bu
Dropounded one in his turn. He pass
ed his hand, all stained with gold anc
crimson, across his forehead with rap
I'd. agitated movement, and turned to
wards his friend.
.sYou have something to say 70 me
sir" said he. "Why not tell it at once
You are not in the habit of troubling
Yourself about my operations"
ssNeither has 1t hitherto been neces
sary that you should consider the act
nal remuneratIye worth of your labor
Julian." he replied. SAT least, sup
nose it has not. You have looked upoI
Yourself as your uncle's heir|
81 have been taught to do so" sal'
Julian.
The old gentleman. omitted dissat
isfied sort OF grunt. He had no inten
ton OF being harsh or supercilious; bu
his mind, the practical mind of busl
ness man. saw in the contents of Ju
6an's studio nothing but toOllshnes
aad trihing.
"You may so look upon yourself still
If Won like" he said; ''heir to nothing
lam sorry to say, unless it be debt
The firm mas come to grief, my boy
Like many another time-honore
name. it means nothing now. The great
er the house, the greater the smash
always. ~
uncleP"
..Ah." said the old gentleman, its a
v;obt for You to think of him, to b
s,lTa since Won owe all to him. An
his wee bit lammie of daughter tina
Is motherless- penniless, too, now, Ju
ian. Yes, its right you should thin
of him first-I'm glad you did. Jus
OF thus moment, however, / want you
attention. Take time to consider, ant
4ben tell me If ali this litter viii eve
he worth anything. L happen to b
vour godfather, you know; and although
ybot's not much, in the worlds eyes
vet confess to a sort of interest in you
goings on.
The old gentleman stepped up to the
assal- and rolled the cover quite back
He looked at the unfinished painting
--,tb his head on one side, and tried Il
ir1aoipe that he was being critical anC
shaTo. He knew nothing at all abou
,,ictnres. or the terms OF aft criticism
and ne expressed his opinion of a Ger
tain niece of foreshortening IN a brie
bute"p hatic sentence.
ssTbe mans knee is too big for hii
foot" said ne; and then he shook hi
head at 1t, and granted again. IL
didn't think much of 1t, evidently. IL
snite of,the suddenIess and reality o
fSe change which mad passed over hi.
f1ture. the young painter could no
snTTress a smile, which the critic caugh
si,5bf Of SAD" said he, ''yOu thiDl
I'm an old loot, OF cOnrse; but then
suppose you're genius. WHATS !
about, this pictureY
From the Ancient Mariner, re
,l;ed Jnlisp.-"Why look'st thou so
with my cross, bow 1 shot the alba
tross.
.'ohl poetry, is ita' said the old gen
+IsnoaD swell, but hardly think i
would pay, You know. Who would bu.
a man with an expression OF courten
ance like that? TO be serious, Julian
what is it all worthg'
The Young mans face fell a little. L
grew almost piteous in its depreciation,
3 ne replied, Consider, sir, that
have worked without thought of remu
neration. am but a learner, on the
very lowest step Of
.sThe ladder of fame" interrupted
tba old gentleman, with a shuttle. 81
Inow that ladder, of old. It's nasty,
slinnerv. unsound affair, depend upon
II: and. in speaking to me, my boy,
never mind imagines. am a PLAN
.sThese bits of illuminating" said
Julian, with gesture towards them,
ssare done for pleasure. L had intend
ed 40 devote myself to mural paint
ing" a,
sAnd what does that mean2" asked
the old gentleman
"Ornamenting the interiors of build
inos," replied Julian, latter the fashion
Of"
"NeYer mind when it was the fash