Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-09-04

from beginning to end in each house. He
shifted his position and tried again.
"Yes, madam, very true; but then these
beadHful and highly interesting works OF
art, that are SO ornamental, and, l may
say, so necessary in 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 to the
agent another clause ia his address
And not only ornamental and neces-
sary, but useful; for the rising genera
ton, 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.
II haven't got any rising generations,
and if had, | wouldn't make lunatic
asylums of them by filling their heads
with such stuff. Can't you understand
that | don't want any anyway?" she de-
manded with such unmistakabe decision
that the thin gentleman closed his picture
case with snap that had the suspicion
of a snarl in it, turned abruptly on his
Paul looked after him wistfully for a
moment as he went down the winding
walk, then suddenly scampered across the
grass, lodged under Syringa bush, and
was mounted upon the fence, ready to in
tercept him by the time he reached the
gate.
''Thay, do you make loths Of money
thelling picturethsn 90 he questioned, earn
estly.
The martyr of fine arts gave the gate a
slightly vindictive kick, and responded
sarcastically:
"Oh my, yes; it's highly lucrative
this is! A few more places like this nice
one, and I'll be worth my thousands.
Paul's dark eyes opened wide. He did
not understand any of it except the "thou-
sands,' but that was sufficiently astonish-
ing. He gazed after the departing agent
until he was out of sight, then sliding
down from his post he walked back to
the piazza, and seating himself upon the
steps with his chin between his palms, he
settled into a fit of meditation. 1t was a
very long one-nearly half an hour-only
interrupted once or twice by a chase for
butterfly and an inspection of birds
nest, of his own manufacture to see if any
eggs had been laid in it yet. At last he
started up with the air of one who had ar
rived at a satisfactory conclusion.
Il thpect III thell pictureth mythelf and
buy birdth ready ratified"
he trudged up to the studio to cOntide
this grand project to papa but that gentle
man, being in no painting mood, had gone
out for a walk, and Paul found the room
unoccupied. He did not at all fancy
waiting an hour or two for his fathers
return. He looked from the window, but
there was no sign of his coming; he sur
veyed the picture on the easel, but it was
an historical scene, and held nothing that
particularly interested him except one un-
finished white cloud.
Il gueth that'th a kite" he commented,
scrutinizing critically. "'Twould look
10th better with a tail to it, and l don't
thspothe papall never think to put any
tail on"
He picked up a brush with an intense
desire to add beautiful red and green
streamer; but as similar efforts at assist
ance had been wofully unappreciated in
DAYS past, he laid down the implement
again with a sigh, clasped his hands be
hind him to keep them out of temptation,
and finally turned away and walked over
to the table. a portfolio with its cOllec-
reach, and he secured it at once He had
often been allowed to look at its contents,
and it was just what he needed for his
enterprise; why should he wait any
longer?
Papa thells the big pictureth for mon
ey, and I'll thell the little oneth, like the
man." he decided, with nod of satisfac-
ton. Then, as a thought of some posi-
BILE objections fitted into his mind, he
added with reluctant generosity, Il
thpect I'll give papa thome of the money,
may be--if | have much enough"
That was just and equitable, certainly I,
He slipped the portfolio under his small
arm, and departed with clear conscience.
Once outside the gate his courage slightly
faltered. The world looked large, and he
resolved to make first attempt where he
was acquainted, and accordingly present
ed himself at Miss Grey's door.
Pm going to thell ever tho many pic
tureth,' he announced.
The lady looked up from her letter
writing, and laughed as she saw the wee
salesman. Indeed? Then l 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, in among them, her glance
fell suddenly upon bit of writing, and a
swift flush leaped to her check as she
lifted the paper with hand that trem-
bled. The young art-vender noticed
neither flush nor tremor, but it did occur
to him that she was studying one draw
ing long time, and he could not quite
make out what it was picture of, either.
Paul, did papa know you were com
ing?" she asked, presently
Moo" answered Paul, just trif1e con-
fused; "cauthe | couldn't wait all day for
him, tho | took it off the table and come
mythelf; but I'll give him thome of the
money"
Then this was not intended to meet her
eyes yet Had it been laid aside to be
completed some other time? Scarcely
it was not the sort of message one would
write at different sittings, like an ordin
ary letter. Had he left it unfinished be
cause he fancied that writing it at all
would be useless and hopeless? Intui
| lively she felt that this last surmise was
| correct. 1t explained his slight avoid
ance of her these last weeks-the almost
| imperceptible constraint that had tinged
| his manner And what should she dc
with this tell-tale sheet? Send it back
without word, and let the secret fnd
other voice or die in silence as the future
| should determine? Something in hel
own heart cried out in swift rebellion
against that. Keep the paper? Tha