The Republican journal., 1870-10-27

and found relief in work. Whether the sirht
OF the objects of my dear wle's uncompain-
ing labor had nerycd nay hand to unusual ef-
forts. OF whether | had chanced upon q pc
cuarly fortunate moment for work | cannot
say, hut this much ! know, difficulties of
drawing that had pcrplcXed and hindered
me for a week. vanished under the strokes of
my happy pencil this morning.
touched on little patches of color that as
tonished and charmed me with their excel
lence; half tints Of great deicacy and tiffi-
Guilty placed Themselves as it were, by some
magical power not my own, III lust the right
place while deep, strong shadows flowed
boldly from my brush and increased the effect
Of all the rest.
Not long after llasty breakfast on my
part Mrs Flakewhite came into nv studio,
dressed to 90 0ut-wearing the same brown
hat with the pearl-colored ribbon last years
STYLE that had affected me so unpleasantlv q
few hours before-for her habitual oood-bv
kiss, and | threw into my greeting of her
more than usual heartiness and tenderness.
from feeling Of self-reproach at having al
lowed SO much goodness and loneliness to
disfgrre itself with such bonnet.
''Gool-by John, dear; | am so glad you
are painting so we'll this morning." said she
we SiulI soon Stt SOMEBODY name well
known i'll this city, and we shall be selling
all we can paint, and we shall have to double
and quadraple our prices and have orders to
any amount, and we shall have q large,
handsome studio, with real north light, and
4 window so tall we shall have to 90 up on q
ladder to open ii, and we shall have a nice.
thick overcoat every winter if we like, and
we shall 90 into the country every summer
sketching, with our little wife to read to us
while we paint, and we shall grow great and
good and-and'-and ] could not listen
another instant to her happy story, and
throwing down pallet and brushes, my arms
closed around her with bear-lke hug, and
stopped her laughing with detonating
kiss that could have been heard block
away. and then making her look me straight
in the eyes. | carefully whispered, MARY,
please God you shall be true prophet. and
if what you have said ever does come true,
it will be greatly owing to the cheerful help
OF my own dear, true-hcarted wife,
John" said she, looking through the half
closed door, II am going TO Get lamb chops
with sweet potatoes for dinner" and listen
ed while she merrily sang herself down the
stairs. nor moved until heard the front door
close behind her-and all of earth I held
most dear.
inc finely again with my picture. and felt q
hopeful spirit and a quiet peace of mind, that
had been unknown to me for months-per-
haps il was prcmonition of good fortune in
store for mc-when the same gentleman
called again who had bought my last picture.
He said that it had been much admired since
being framed and placed in q good light at
his home, and was kind enough to mention
the very terms OF praise which one of our
favortc artists had made use OF about it,
whose name sent the blood suroin@ and
tinging all over me with pleasure; he would
like companion picture Of the same size,
and took the liberty Of advancing me one
hundred dollars towards the price, to ensure
my commencing it at once, promising to call
soon again and see how | progressed with
the ORDER and politely took his leave. After
he had gone | sat motionless tor some
minutes 10 tnnk over what had passed bo-
tween Us, and recover control Of my senses,
bewildcrod with too much pleasure. | had
certainly dreamed Of such interview with
purchasers, and had often imagined how
nice il must be for some of my artist friends
whose pictures were always in demand to
whom such affairs We're not unusual, but
both dreams and imagination Were now Ger
tainly rcaIized witness the one hundred dol
lar bill on the easel shelf, lust where my pur-
chaser had laid it.
1t was q new one, Just issued from the
| Chemical Bank, and cracked rs | took it up,
and though ! seemed 10 be looking at its
printed face, my minds eye saw nothing
there, bnt was busy fir away, with q new
hat, q new alpaca dress, new thick gaiters
and new warm gloves that intended would
be Il surprise ior Mrs Flakcwhlte
Hastily pinnin@ bit of paper on my studio
Il hot ctataI WHOM Cb 7 ,af
over into the Bowery to u miIlner's store.
where Mrs. Flakcwhite and were known;
too kthe woman that waited on me into partial
confidence, and in few minutes suitedmyselt
with 4 hat which was good, modest and lady
like, and in about n half hour-whch had
been thirty minutes Of great enjoyment to
me-Was back again in my studio, my several
parcels hidden where they would be safe
| from observation, and with delightful anti
cipaton Of Mrs. Flallcwhitc's surprise in the
morning, again addressed myself to work
During the evening of this eventlul day
we walked out together, and to Mrs. Flake
whites great satisfaction, after her critical
examination Of seams and Innings and bul-
ton holes and pockets, the coat was decided
upon, paid for, and worn home. must here
disclose to the reader in strict confidence
having 4 wholesome dread Of pulled ears
DclpIt lily cA -lldl several lllllcS Oh Itluili
home, | was made to walk 4 little in Tont
that Mrs, FlalScwhite might again enjoy the
excellence OF the fit, and almiringly appreci
ate my ncw-fOund elegance
Pleading fatigue, | retired that night rathe
sooner than usual, and matured in quiet my
plan for surprising Mrs Flakewhte in thG
morning. As soon rs | knew my faithful
partner was truly off in the land Of dreams,
| stole out Of the bed into another room
brought out nv hidden treasures, and com
chased for this very purpose AT the bottom
two pairs of gloves and half Il dozen white
handkerchets, with coored borders, then as
many sets Of plain linen collars and cuffs Of
different shapcs-and thought rs | laid these
in, how Mrs. Flakcwhitcs delicate sense O
lady-lk neatness would enjoy wearing then
next, pair of the very best doubled sole(
CATERS, over those Il pearl-colored dress pat
tern-sixtecn yards Of it--that the man
bought it of assured me was Of cxcellcn
quality, and on the top Of all the new hat
the crowning Gift, and iii summit to this
monument Of affection, reared in grateful
recognition of II wite's devotion and love.
On the cover of the box | laid an unseale,
envelope. addressed to Mrs. John Flake
white, present. containing the following
note:
! "Wl my dear wife accept from her husband tn,
accompanying box and its contents. and still con
tinuc to obligc the giyer, by remembering each tint
I,l,. 81,