Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-24

tence
Thus moralizing myself awake, l quiet
" turned out of bed. dressed and slipped
ont of the room. leaving Mrs. Flakewhite
poor tired little body, soundly sleeping.
Invent down into the siltiug-room for
my shoes, where had chan ged them the
night previous for slippers, and while
engaged in putting them on, some articles
of female attire on the chair near by at
trGcted my attention. First there lay on
top Mrs. Flakewhite's hal OF brown Straw |;
it was neatly mended in dozen places !;
the pearl colored ribbon on it, though but
little soiled, was creased with fine holes,
and pricked almost TO pattern in places
where it had bocn sewed on in different
shapes; there were no flowers in it, and
the strings from much tying under her
round chin, were lusterless and ropy. /
felt my eyes moisten and my sight grow
dim. rs looked ut il, held out ut arms
length, and thought how different it was
from the trim bonnet | wished 10 see
cover that wavy brown hair, and shade
that dear face; but then | remembered
with pride and pleasure. that even in
spite of its being in last years style and
its other shortcomings, many kind and
admiring glance was directed at It's con-
tents rs Mrs. F. and | walked out in the
afternoon, when it became too dark TO
paint Then there was a well-worn dress
half ripped up, that my wile's nlmble
fingers were doubtless engaged in turn.
ing and trimming SO rs TO look respecta-
bly nice when household matters took her
into the street; and lastly, pair of little
CATERS what is there in the whole
range of 4 lady's dress, that. looked at
when separated from the wearer, so
charms and facinates masculine eyes rs n
well shaped little boot or gaiter? Crcases
OF use and marks Of wear only add inter
est TO the sight, and are, so to speak, the
finishing touches TO the picture, only that,
in this instance the picture belonging TO
Mrs. Flakewhite had been "fnishing" too
much.
replaced these several article on the
chair as found them, and turning with
sigh into my studio, soon forgot my
trouble and found relicfin woik. Whether
the sight OF the objects OF my wiie's un'
complaining labor had nervcd my hand
to unusual efforts, or whether ! had
CHANGED upon peculiarly fortunate mo-
ment lor work, cannot say, but this
much know, difficulties OF drawing that
had pcrplexed and hindered me for q
week, vanished under the strokes OF my
happy pencil this morning. touched on
little patches of color that astonished and
charmed me with their excellence; half
tints of grea, delicacy and difficulty p'ac-
cd themselves rs it were, by some magic
al power not my own, in just the right
place, while deep shadows flowed boldly
from my brush andincrcased the effect OF
all the rest.
Not long ater has,y breakfast on my
part, Nus. Fhkewhite came into my studio
dressed to go wearing the same
brown hat with the pearl colored ribbon,
last wears stvlc, that had affected me so
unpleasan,ly n few hour bcfore-for her
habitual good bye kiss. and | threw into
my greeting of her more than usual
heartiness and tenderness, fiom n feeling
of seli-reproach OF having allowed so
much goodness and lovelncss to disiiguro
itself with such a bonnet.
Goodbye, John. dear; am so glad
you are painting 50 wei! this morning"
said she, 1--WE shall soon see somebody ;
name well known in this city. and we
shall be selling al we can paint, and
shall have to double and quadruplc our
prices, and have offers of orders TO any
amount, aud we shall have a large hand
some studio, with real north light, and
a window So tall we shall have to go up
on ladder to open it, and we shall have
nice thick oyercoat every winter if we
like, and we shall go into the country
every summer skctching, with our little
wife to read to us while we paint, and we
shall grow great and good and-and-
and. and could not listen another in.
slant to her happy story, and throwing
down pallet and brushes, my arms closed
around her with bear like hug, and L
stopped her rosy mouth with detonat-
inc kiss that could have been heard n
block away, and then making her look
me straight in the eyes, l carefully whis-
pered, MARY, please God, you shall be
true prophet! and if what you have
said ever does come true, it Will be great
ly owing to the cheerful help of my own
dear, truc.hearted wife"
John" said she. looking through the
half closed door, Il am going to get lamb
chops with sweet potatoes for dinner, 'and
| listened while she merrily sang hersel!
down the stairs, nor moved until l heard
the front door close behind hcr-and all
of earth | held most dear.
was working interestedly and pro-
crossing finely again with my picture,
and felt hopeful spirit and quiet peace
of mind. that had been unknown to me
for months-perhaps it was premonltlon
of good fortune in store for me-when
the same gentleman called again who had