Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-12-25
oWhere Is this pictnre 2, snid the cnrnen

"Where is this picture - said the carpen
ter.
Elkanah rose with reckoning gesture, anC
they passed into an adjoining room thy lamp,
and tirelihht, and all bosky with evergreen
The jamb or face Of the fireplace was panel
ed with solid oak. The right-hand side
where the picture of Judas had been. wa.
painted over in oak-grain On the other
side was a full-length figure, about two
feet high, in dark gaberdine, with a rosy
face, gray hair, and short white beard, the
whole enmargined by clumsy imitation Of
a wreath of hOlly-leaves and scarlet berries
As a work of art, it was utterly worthless,
though not without certain pleasing effect,
chiefly owing to the blurring of the outlines,
and the obscurity Of the once staring colors
which the wood had absorbed. Aided by
the dimness into which its hues and lines had
fallen, it did have, as the old man had said.
curious general resemblance to the gray
carpenter, who stood with lamp in his
hand examining 1t with fixity Of attention
which it certainly did not deserve
That's it, saib Elkanah, witha dislain-
ful sniff, as the other concluded his scrutiny.
- That's the precious gem Worth about
two York shillings, | say What say YOU ?''
- am of your uncle Peters judgement, 80
replied the carpenter, composedly. Fifty
thousand dollars, say"
Elkanah glared at him. his face ablaze.
his voico choking with sudden rage The
carpenter opposed resistance 10 the glare,
Z with look firm, impassive, indomitable as Il
fortress-wall. The Old man anger rebound
ed from it, bafiled, as d lion might rebound
leaping against stone and, with gasp, he
bounced to the other end Of the room.
=" Al right. sir. he said, wheeling about,
and coming back with polite smiles and
bows, in which snothered fury. sarcastic
amusement, and Difference were all expressed
and blended. '' respect YOU very much
sir. do indeed. And every one is enti-
tied to his opinion. Pardon me, hut. If vou
please, We II not discuss this matter further
Ia really rather not, if youH indulge
me. -
/ He saw the carpenter was looking past
him, with heavy-ldded, draining gaze, into
the other room, and be turned. Faulkner
and Emily We're there, vivid in the tire-sheen.
murmuring to each other, in enchanted at;i
tudes. Behind, in shadow. at q window.
with reverted head and chewing lip, pale. 81
lent, vengcful was John. The carpenter,
with mOveless ewes. was absorbing it all.
- Oh, - said Elkanah, with slight move
ment " my boy John-the one at the viii
dow. The others his friend And that's
Johns wife. Emily Come in, sir: III in
troduce you"
What is the friends name 2' asked the
carpenter quietly, without moving
- Faulkner. sir-Michael Faulkner. Son
Of the General, replied Elkanah.
b. \ sweet hoy said the carpenter. in a
tone Of deep affection. A born lover"
Elkanah, already moving TO the door,
hirted about, slapping his hands together
- BY the big Pedee lit t' he ex-
claimed. e You've said the word And
he looked at the carpenter meaningly, and
with wonder and admiration.
Mrs. Dyer, Tom. and Funny Redwood at
that moment entered the fre-lit apartment.
and the next the whole family gathered in
its lights and shadows. were gazing with
mute faces all turned one way in curious
wonder and interest at what seemed the
grand original Of Peter Dyer rude picture.
coming in with Elkanah from the Iauelei
room, with his strange aspect Of Blended
youth and age his child sweetness. his pro
phet majesty, his look Of rosy innocence and
gray wisdom.
e What DO YOU think of that for a like
ness ?' chirruped Elkanah, proudly beam
ing " Al my particular request, he's come
of the oak fireplace TO spend the evening.
My friend Mr.. CARPENTER
They all bowed smilingly, but still in
some wonder. and, before the old man could
proceed 10 the more special iutraducti0us,
the carpenter, somewhat % his amazemeut
yet in a way quite in keeping with hi, un-
conventional aspect and manner. was m0y-
ing with a sort Of measured alcrtness among
the group, paying his simple and affection
ate addresses % each person, with the air of
heiug already on familiar terms with them,
and OF knowing oil about them thus es,ab-
fishing himself in close rapport with every
one. as only man Of powerful intuitI0us,
vivid impressions, and great mrguetic force
and dignity could have done, and leaving
them with sense az if something electric
and very sweet had swept through them To
each he gave his hand with some apt word
but coming to Faulkner, he put his arm
around him. and, drawing him to his breast.
lightly kissed him on the forehead. saving
gently, '' Ny son
ton, which sent sweet lightning through
Faulkner 'sveins, left the others with a soft.
mysterious thrill. They stood Ike enchanted
figures, statue-still, in the dancing lights
and shadows of the leafy room. In the hal
lowed quiet. the wind-harp was sounding,
d" Well" cried Elkauah, breaking the mo-
mentary muteness, and bursting into laugh
ter, &c this is Jolly Mr. Carpenter, you're
a new face, but we count YOU an old friend
shan't wonder if YOU turn out to be uncle
Peters Good Man himself after all Make
yourself at home, sir. We all like YOU we'll
The companv's coming, and. hey but weT
have n staving iamboree ThcreU be q
swinging supper hy-and-hy. And refresh
ments soon You'll say. sir, that Mrs Dy-
zer's apple-toddy is the best YOU ever d.ank
in your life And if Miss Faulkner there
who gets such sweet l1yc-tokens doesn en-
tirely change characters with Mr.. Redwood
here, who doesn't get any-(neyer mind,
Fanny my robin. thcrc'll he plenty for YOU
when You get % the halleluiah meadows. if
not so0ner)-he'll make YOU a punch sir
that you'll say is the best YOU ever drank.
too. He's rouser to make punch. / tell
YOU, though he only sips it like a lady him
self. And I've Bourbon in my cellar, sir,
twenty-five years old and Sherry, and a
MADEIRA, sir, that's enough to make the Is
land blush for shame redder than the coch-
neal they say its gone to growing. Oh, but
We Il have a most hambustuOus time Ex-
cuse Us. sir, if we seem to neglect YOU a lit
tie for a half hour or 50. You came early,
and we've few preparations to make still.
But make yourself at home, sir. Take the /
liberty of the house. Wolk through. sir
walk through. The rooms are all open.
And NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. me, he con- .
cluGed with sturdy roar of glee, =. if We
don't have one laundering stayer of Christ .
mas Eve, if it's the last -
And so ending, amidst general morriment,
the grand old Pennsylvania giant strobe .
away with hamboyant gayety, and step
that shook the floor
ITO be Continued
From the Rutland Herald