The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-04-08
VOL. ". NO. 80.

Don't forget this day week, the twenty
fourth. Dent be later, as l shall be glad
to make an end of this-settle all clsims,
and return to his lordship's to superintend
the hanging of the pictures Good day,
my dear sir; think may congratulate
you beforehand on the sale of all your pic.
lures" -F-r-s... -a- -
Sanguine with the hope thus raised, / re-
turned to my studio, more enthusiastic than
ever, and more grateful, if possible to my
friend Charley, who had afforded me the
opportunity of establishing such syaluable
| The time seemed to pass slowly until the
appointed day, and being pretty well left TO
myself-except for q visit or two from Tom
Farncombe, who called tor the purpose of
finding fanlt with my works and extoltne
hls own-I had plenty ofopPortuniry ofin-
dulgiug in those delightful dreams of fu-
ture lame and and competence, which the
farewell words Of my new friend had SO
materially encouraged.
l had had one or two misgivings as to the
price had affixed TO each picture. Had
asked enough? Did the paintings really
possess more merit than 1 had modestly
believed. The MarqIs of was a
staunch patron of the arts, / bad always
heard, and was very rich. On tke.aaileE
.haRis 4 ahoSEgl1t md erred perhaps on the
right side, and my moderate demands might
all the more firmly secure a patton, when
he found works OF ability or promise valued
at reasonable price by the artist.
Yes, altogether had acted wisely, 1 con-
cluded, ard busted myself with laying in
for other landscapes from the sketches be-
side me.
On the twenty-fourth 1 determined to
walk quietly mp to Wlmpole street, in the
early part Of the day, so that might be
before hand with the rest of my brother
artists. obtain the settlement, as proposed
by Mr.. Bouverie, for the accepted pictures
and in case ofthem being rejected return
with them quietly to my studio.
/ was surprised therefore, On arriving at
the address to find that the others bad ap-
parently acted on the same impulse as my
self, for found the door open a. d the hall
full. But was still more amazed IN fur
Ioos alteration with tn landlady of the
house. Loudest among them could dis
tInguish TOm Farncombe's violent and per-
-sistent demand.
sBut where is Mr.. Bouverie7 insist on
seeing Mr.. Bouveriel"
.sGOod gracious, gentlemenr' cried the
landlady, that on earth is the use of ask
ing me? How should 1 kn ". He took
my ground door for a week; said he was q
picture dealer; and left for Liverpool four
days ago, taking all the pictures with him,
"Then, by Jove!" cried Charley, as new
hight suddenly flashed upon us. 1.-THE fel-
lows a sWindler, and We have been dOneP
""And the seoundreI. by this time" ex-
claims another is on his way to America,
and all the paintings with him.
s.But did be leave nothing behind him
g letter or paper, OF anythi g by which
we could trace him2" joiaed in 8 third, as
the hours of anxious and unremunerated
labor probably required to him.
.'He left nothing but picture" replied
the landlsdy.
IA picture?" we all seemed to say at
once.
t,Yes sir; and pleasanter and more hon.
orable gentleman never knew; for he not
only paid the full week in advance, bnt al
parting made me present of the painting
TO please the children.
"Where is it?" We all thundered out.
SIN the parlor; please, gentlemen to step
in and look at it.
And there, hanging alone on an otherwise
bare wall, was small andscape-chlldreD
figures, fishing, village pool
Gentlemen says Charley, gravsly, "l
am very sorry for all of us-we've been
shamefuily sold. But Tom," he adds turn
ing to the little man Who was standing per
fectly aghast. Il am sorry to say that sweet
hing of yours isn't good enough even to
be-stolenI