The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-12

THE PAINTER OF ROTTERDAM.
BY AMELIA II. EDWARDS.

wealthy we enjoyed the means of pro-
curing every social comfort. We gave
and received visits from few old friends,
we went occasionally to the theater, and
my father had his tulip garden and sum-
ner-hOuse at little distance from Schie-
damon the banks of the canal which
connects the town with the river.
But my father and mother, whose OILY
child | was, cherished one dream of ambi-
ton, in which, fortunately, my own taste
led me to participate. They wanted me
10 became painter.
Let ne but see a picture by Franz
Linden in the gallery at Rotterdam" said
my father, " and l shall die happy"
SO at fourteen years of age l was re-
moved from school, and placed in the
classes of Mcsser Kesler, an artist living
at Delft. Here made such progress that
by the time | had reached my nineteenth
birthday L was transferred to the atelier
OF Hans Van RoOs, descendant of the
celebrated family of that name Van
ROos was not more than thirty-eight or
forty years of age, and had already ac-
quired considerable reputation as painter
of portraits aud sacred subjects There
was an altar piece of his in one of our
finest churches his works had occupied
the place of honor for the last six years at
our annual exhibition, and for portraiture
he numbered among his masters most of
the wealthy merchants and burgomasters
of the city. Indeed, there could be no
question that my master was rapidly ac-
qulrlng Il fortune commensurate with his
popularity.
Still he was not a cheerful man. 1t was
whispered by the pupils that he had met
with disappointment in early life-that
hf2h had low
eve OF marriage had been rejected nv
the lady for more wealthy suitor. He
came from Freisland, il the north af Hol-
iand, when very young man. He had
always been the same gloomy, pallid,
labor-loving citizen. Re was sparing of
domestic expenditure, and liberal to the
poor inns every one could tell you, and
no one knew nJre.
Inc numoer OF his pupils was limited to
SIX. lie E-ept us constantly at work, and
scare ~4y permitted us to exchange word
" IN each other during the day. Stand
ing there among Us silently, with the light
from above pouring down upon his
pallid face, and becoming absorbed in the
folds OF bis long, black dressing gown, he
IooEed almost ike some stern old por-
trait himself To tell the truth, we were
all Somewhat afraid of him. Not that he
assumed any undue authority; on the con-
trary, he was stately, silent, and frigidly
polite; but his pOliteness had in it some
thing oppressive, and we were all happier
out of bis presence. None of us resided
under his roof. / had second floor in a
Deighb0rlng street, and two of my fellow
students occupied rooms in the same
house. We used to meet at night in each
others chambers, and make excursions to
lxr HI ~ o,11
times, on summers evening, we would
two down the river We were merry
enoueh then, and not quite so silent, |
promise, as in the gloomy studio.
IN the meantime | was anxious to CLEAN
every benefit from my masters instruc-
fIons- L improved rapidly, and my paint
tnCs soon excelled those of the other FIVE
Ny taste did not incline to sacred subjects
like that of Van Roos, but rather to the
familiar rural scenes of Bergman and Paul
Potter, 1t was my delight to wander
along the rich pasture lands, to watch the
amber sunset, the herds coming home to
the dairy, the lazy wind mills scarcely
ruified by the passage of the public
trectshpp (canal boat. In depicting
scores of this nature,
- The slow canal the yellow bios somed vale,
The willow-tufted bank, the gliding SAIL"
| was singularly fortunate. My master
nev'r praised me by word or look, but
when my father came up one day from
Schiedam to visit me, he drew me aside,
and in voice audible to the rest, he told
him that 4" Messer Linden would do cred
il to the profession" which so delighted the
good distiler that be straightway took me
out with him for the day, and having
given me fifteen gold pieces as testimony
Of his satisfaction, took me to dine with his
friend, the Burgomeister Won Gael 1t was
an eventful visit for me. Upon that even
ing first fell in love.
Few people, think, would st that time
have denied the personal attractions ofGer-
trude Won Gael. Yet do not know that
it was her features as much as her soft
voice and gentle womanly grace that fas-
cinated me.
Though so young, she performed the
hOnOrs of her fathers princely table with
self possession and good breeding. In the
evening she sang some sweet German
songs To her own simple accompaniment.
We talked of books and poetry, and L
found her well-read in English, French
and German literature. We spoke of art,
and she displayed both judgment and en-
th1siasm.
As we took our leave at night, the bur-
gOmeister shook me by the hand and told
me to come often.
T fancied that Gertrude's blue eyes
frightened when he said it, and / felt the
color rush quickly to my brow as | bow
ed and thanked him.
Franz" said my father, when we were
In the street, how olci are you =
Just twenty-five, sir, replied, sur
prised at the question
You will not be dependent on your
brush, any boy" continued my father, as
he leaned upon my arm and looked back
AZ the lofty mansion we had just left. 81
have been neither wasteful nor unsuccess
full, and it will be my pride to leave you a
respectable income at my death.
inclined my head in silence, and won
dered what would come next.
Burgomeister von Gael is one OF my
Oldest friends" said my father.
al have often heard you speak OF him,
sir" replied.
And he is rich"
So | should suppose"
Gertrude will have a fine fortune,
said my father, as if thinking aloud.
bowed once more, but this time rather
nervously.
Marry her, Franz"
dropped his arm and started back.
Sir,' / faltered, "I-I-marry the
Fraulein Won Gael ~
And pray, sir, why not" said my
father. curtly. He stopped short In his
walk and leaned both his hands upon the
topof his walking sick.
l made no reply.
Why not sirsu repeated my. father,
ves5 energetically. "what could you