Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-15

more c0mmuulOus stOlcuOu-e-, WuulA 1T riiuu
there still, wrapped in impenetrabe dulncssi
quietude, and reposc ?
You see my liking for the place grew with
my growth, and strengthened with my strength.
Therefore, it was quito natural on reaching
mans estatc-thc estate, in my case, consisted
Of q much-bcdauhcd pallet few brushes,
and quantity Of cauvas-and deciding to
make landscapc-painting my profession, that,
looking about for a shelter for my, as yct
ameIess head, my thoughts should ix upon
Che roof which, in years agone, had so oi'en
covered my curly pate whilc listening TO the
drcary old professor cndcayoring, with praise
worthy diligence, TO mstil into my unapprc-
ciatiye brain the elements of Latin aud Greek.
Ia two days after the idea entered my head,
was established with all my worldly possess
sions-a small trunk aud an easel--in a
delightfully."- musty, dark old room full Of the
weird charm that hangs over and peneiratcs
even the very stones Of the outer walls.
Another reason why love the sombre and
antiqua,cd place | haven't mentioned yet.
There my litue romance, the one romance OF
my life, began, continued but will not end
[ had lived an unoyentful hachelorlile in
the building for more than two years, vaga-
bondizing during tl,e warm mon,hs among the
mountains, and along the coast, with few
brother artists; and working hard in winter
filling out, copying, altering and improving
the summer sketches with which my portfolio
was always laden to oyerdowing.
One evening at dusk, late iu October, had
returned from a days trip to the country. |
I la .N flt
Of scarlet, and orange, aud crimson, and green
/ glory Of the woods whore every leaf had
danced and played, infltrated through and
through with the warm drops Of golden light
which the sun was showering down. An
autumn picture was on my easel, and fell
that, for a day at least, must steep my senses
10 the Intoxicating mystery Of color before
could venture to add the last touches ant
pronounce it done.
bado the ianitors wife good-eyening, tool
my key off the nail in her small sittingroom
and started to 20 up stairs, when | met will
great surprise Not at all a disagreeablC
surprise, for it wore a soft, gray Aess thick
shawl, a round hat with a veil thrown back
over the crown, and was toiiing up the long
staircase with couple Of bundles Of, wood it
one hand, and tin pail in the other. Nu
merous brown paper bundles protruled in al
directions from under its round arms, or rath
er what | Immediately fauciel were It's roun'
arms. A woman in that place was such
very rare vision that was impoled to follow
her, and raising my hat to say IL beg par
don, madam, pray allow me to assist you
Two large, startled-eyes looked up int
mine as / spoke, and then, seeming reassurod
a sweet, modulated voice answered Than
you, sir; will accept your kind offer, for
am continually stepping on my dress; and, a
this rate, shall never reach my room
Your room :" invountarily exclaimed
as took the pail and bundles Of wood. |
was such very odd idea that lady shou
have a room in that out-ol-the-way place.
Yes, my room r she said. " live il
number twenty-eight north corridor, thir
floor. My brother was too i'll to 60 out to
night so l am going to get ten for US there.
Then We are neighbors my room is nun
Der twenty-seven, same corridor | remark
ed, more and more mystifed.
Oh :" she exclaimed " then you AT
the gentleman whose picture old Margar,
, praises so highly
Indeed, | said, laughing, had .
idea our good janitress admired my poe
work"
You are her greatest fyorite among a
the artists in the building. But here we al
at my door, Il you will excuse me whilc
!, step in and put these bundles down, | won
detain you a moment longer
heard a weak and tremulous call insd
the room Geryaise, is that you, dear
seems" in halfqueruous tone, lou
time since you went out"
Poor BERTHE" the sweet voice alread
knew replied | was just as quick as
could be, darling. I'll try not to be so Ion
another time
Then, as she opened the door wider
!. take her things from me, the light poured on
q and she cried Oh, oh, oh, how beautiful
as she looked at a great bunch Of goygao
leaves | held, and which she had not o
served in the dim halls. F." Please step
one moment, and show them to my broth'
Bertic, this is Mr. Churchill, our next do
d neighbor, who has very kindly helped me
= bring up my many packages Then, tur
1t ing to me, she said ; " You see, sir,
. know your name very we'll This ismy brot
II er, Mr.. Dale
u And hope you will know me, as you
"a my name very well, some time,' | auswer'
'o bowing to the sick man in the armchair.
y have been out in the woods all day, filling
) brain and being with the marvellous beau
CT of the season aud have, as usual broue
y home twice as many branches as | need
er could not leave them behind. | dare say
rs should have tried to bring cart-load, h
l' not my conscience warned me that it was pc
+ lively iuhuman to break off any more. |
er you enjoy them as much as do, and tu
es ing so as to sec her fall face, " am going
s. ask your brother to do me the favor of taxi
lu care Of half these leaves. My bachelor
nc tablishment affords but one vase, which "
to hold only few of them, and was wond
e. ing what should do with the rest
:" ~ A certain dignity in the manner Of
- young lady, while it was extremely gracio
repelled the slightest deviation from the IN
formal courtesy, and prevented me from of
ing the leaves TO her. | feared she would
N, cline them, and | had taken an odd fancy Il
%. it.would be very satisfactory to know that
ne visits to the woods had given pleasure to so
r. one besides myself Indeed, it must h'
X been almost the only time within my recoll
ID toa that had ever given any satisfaction
ad anybody; for my life then was almost who
he isolated. As divided my woodland tire
lr urcs, the invalid raised his long, slender ha
ut and, offering it to me, said "l thank }
to very much, sir, for both my sister and mys'
ms am sure we Shall enjoy them enongh to
w pay you for tho sacrifice Of giving them ava
ct " But the gain is mine" | replied, sn
lie ingly; for now, you see, shall have
n pleasure of knowing that these beauties v
ur be properly cared for Just look at Il
MS scarlet maple with the perfect graduation
ne color to the orange veins, and tho sumacl
,et perhaps they and the golden beeches are
n, handsomest, after all. Ii | had kept the
they certainly must have withercd in "