The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-09-12

Wv" ""iN "'s' HhN 'N'NN
shortly.
But. madam. wish To exhibit 90 YOU
some highly beautiful and interesting works
of art which"
THE more artiul they are the less like
them. ! don't want to look at then,N in-
tcrposed Mrs. Martha.
The pictorial gentleman looked mildly
embarrassed. lie had "A set speech, well
learned. and could not feel that he had
done his whole duty unless he repeated IL
from beginning To end IN each house. He
shifted his position and tried again:
:" Yes. madam. very true: but then these
beautiful and highly interesting works of
art. that are SO ornamental. and, | may
say. 50 necessary i'm every household"
!" Necessary. There's altogether too
many in this house now" commented the
lady contemptuously. But just then Paul
drew near with intense admiration in his
eyes. and his presence suggested 10 the
agent another clause in his address.
And not only ornamental and necessa-
ry, but useful; for the rising generation,
madam. must be educated
That was too much for Mrs. Martha's
endurance. She knew all about that style
of education; it ended in the planting of
feather busters.
Il haven't got any rising generations.
and If had. wouldn't make lunatic asy-
lums of them by filling their heads with
such stuff. Can't You understand that |
don't want any anyway she demanded
with such unmistakable decision that the
thin gentleman closed his picture-case with
a snap that had the suspicion OF Il snarl in
it. turned abruptly on his heels and walked
away.
Paul looked after him wistfully for II
moment a he went down the winding
walk. then suddenly scampered across the
grass. lodged under a Syringa bush. and
was mounted upon the fence. ready TO
intercept him by the time he reached the
gate.
"Thay. do YOU make loths OF money
thelling picturcth:' he questioned ear
nestly.
The martyr of fine arts gave the gate a
slightly vindictiye kick. and responded
sarcastically:
"Oh. my. yes: its highly lucrative.
this il s, A few more places like this nice
one. and Ill be worth my thousands.
Paul's dark eyes opened wide. lie did
not understand any of il except the
thousands" but that was sufficiently as
tonishing. He gazed after the departing
agent until he was out of sight. then
sliding down from his post he walked back
10 the piazza. and seating himself upon the
steps with his chin between his palms. he
settled into fit of meditation. Ii was
very long one-nearly half an hour
only interrupted once or twice by chase
for a butterfly and an inspection OF "A birds
nest. of his own manufacture. 10 see ifany
eggs had been laid in it yet. At hast he
started up with the air of one who had ar
rived AT a satisfactory conclusion.
Il thpect I'll thell pictureth mythelf
and buy birlh ready raithed''
He trudged up TO the studio 10 coniide
this grand project to papa. but that gen
tleman. being in no painting mood. had
gone out for walk. and Paul found the
room unoccupied He did not fancy wait
ing AN hour or two for his fathers return.
He looked from the window. but there was
no sign of his coming: he surveyed the
picture on the easel. but it was an histOri
cal scene. and held nothing that particu-
larly interested him except one unfinished
white cloud.
Il gueth that'th kite. he commented.
scrutinizing critically. "'Twould look
10th better with tail to il. and | don't
thpothe papa'll never think to put any tail
on"
He picked mp a brush with an intense
desire to add a beautiful red aud green
strcamer: but rs similar efforts at assis-
lance had been wofully unapprrciated
In DAYS past. he laid down the implement
again with a sigh. clasped his hands behind
him TO keep them out of temptation. and
finally turned away and walked over to the
table. A portfolio with it, collection Of
sketches lay conveniently within reach.
and he secured 1t at once. He had often
been allowed To look at its contents. and il
was Just what he needed for his enterprise;
why should he wait any longer?
Papa thels the big pictureth for
money. and I'll thell the little oncth. like
the man." he decided. with nod of salts
faction. Then. n thought of some pos
siblc objections fitted into his mind, he
added with reluctant generosity II
thpect I'll give papa thome of the money.
maybe-if have much enough"
That was just and equitable. certainly .
He slipped the portfolio under his small
arm. and departed with clear conscience.
Once outside the gate his courage slightly
faltercd. The world looked large. and he
resolved to make first attempt where he
was acquainted. and accordingly presented
himself AT Miss Grey's door.
I'm going to thcll ever so many pic
tureth. he announced.
The lady looked up from her letter
writing. and laughed as she saw the wee
salesman. ..Indeed then I think must
patronize you. What shall buy?" she
asked.
You can have any of them for five
thenth." and Paul deposited the portfolio
in her lap. She turned over the sketches
smilingly until. i'm among them. her glance
fell suddenly upon a bit of writing, and a
swift flush leapcd to her cheekas She lifted
the paper with hand that trembcd. The
young art-vender noticed neither flush nor
tremor. but it did occur to him that she
was studying one drawing a long time,
and he could not quite make out what il
was picture of. either.
Paul. did papa know you were com
l.. \ Il. Il