Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-01-06
"He applied to you, Tom, ehs" asked

Charley.
"Exactly" replied the other, appar.
emily unconscious OF the tone Of sarcasm
accompanying the question. Remember
the subject of mines Figures-children-
fishing village pool-sweet effect in mid
die distance !"
"Ah" says Charley. "a copy. isn't
it?"
"Copy Are you copy? No! sketched
it last spring. A sweet thing, mind me,
no two mistakes about that!'
"Well," says Charley, seeing ! was be-
coming bored, Frank wants to finish, so
come along, Tom, and send your sweet
thing to Wimpole street as soon as posi-
BILE, or he may change his mind
mot much fear of that " replies Tom
and after few more suggestions to ME,
as to the tone of the sky and the handling
of the foliage, my two friends withdrew.
In the course of the day the servant
announced visitor, and looking at the
card she presented, recognized the
name men. 'oned by Charley. A slight
figure, and gentleman-like appearance, a
frank and easy address, and the general
demeanor of polite man Of business. |
was more than ever disposed to be pleased
with my new patron.
81 have waited ON you" he commenced,
in singularly soft and pleasing voice,
"as agent of the Marquis Of in Sc
lecting small gallery OF works by native
artists. His lordship, as you are aware,
is an enthusiast in such matters, and pos
sesses no small degree of ability himself
as an amateur. He is particularly favora-
bic to the smaller sized paintings like that
on your easel there, and if you are at lib
erty to dispose of any that may suit him,
perhaps we may come to terms"
| fastened to assure him l should only
be too happy, and very gladly called his
attention to some of my best efforts.
"Ah," he said, stepping back and scruti-
nizing each as l placed it in the most favor
able position, with his eyes partly closed,
and his head on one side, and speaking
slowly, "that's the sort of thing. That's
about his lordship's mark, / fancy. A teette
cold, perhaps, but very nice. All, that's a
better one to my view. Do you think,
now, you could manage-say, four of these,
and send them at once to this address? |
expect the marquis in town the day after
to morrow, or it may be later; he will
then inspect the collection | have made,
and make his own selections. Write name
and price on back of each, and suppose
you favor me with a call-well referring
to pocket diary and making anote there
in), this day week, the Gath, eh-will that
be Convenient?"
Iassured him nothing could be better,
and having seen my pleasant visitor to
the door, returned in high spirits to the
completion of my work.
Taking what thought my best pictures
in four-wheeler the next day to the ad-
dress in Wimpole street, found several
brother artists already assmbled there,
evidently on the same errand as myself,
among them my friend Charley and little
Tom Farcombe. The latter was, as usual,
The most noisy, being engaged in the ar
gument respecting the hanging of the
"sweet thing : the light was bad, or the
position unfavorable; bat the uniform
urbanity of his lordship's agent smoothed
all difficulties, and Gained the rutfled
temper of our friend. Whether it was
professional envy on my part or def
cheney of appreciative power, am free
to confess l could not see the great merit
of Toms painting, although the impetuous
little artist continued to insist on its
having the most favorable place in the
room.
Don't you see, my very dear sir" he
argued, "unless you get the light in that
direction you miss that charming effect in
the middle distance?"
fancied once or twice | saw sly smile
Turk at the corners Of the mouth or
twinkle in the eyes, as with unwavering
good temper and politeness, Mr.. Bouverie
replied
"Very true, very true indeed"
Having deposited my precious load,
was about to retire, when, following me
to the door, he said
"Dont forget this day week, the Gath.
Don't be later, as | shall be glad to make
an end of this-settle all claims, and re-
turn to his lordship's to superintel.d the
hanging of the pictures, Good day, my
dear sir; | think may congratulate you
beforehand on the sale OF all your pic
lures"
Sanguine with the hope which these
parting words raised | returned to my
studio, more enthusiastic than ever, and
more grateful, II possible, 10 my good
friend Charley, who had afforded me the
opportunity of establishing such valu-
able connection.
The time seemed 10 pass slowly until
the appointed day, and being pretty well
left to myself, Except for visit or two
from Tom Farncombe, who called, APP
parently, for the purpose o: finding fault
with my works, and extolling his own,-
had plenty of opportunities for indulging
in those delightful dreams of future fame
and competence, which,the farewell words
of my new friend had so materially en-
couraged
had had one or two misgivings as to
the price had affixed to each picture.
Had asked enoughs Did the paintings
really possess more merit than had mod
estly believedy The Marquis of - was
a stanch patron of the arts, ! had always
heard, and was very rich. On the other