National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-02-20

BRADFORD, VE1
specting my portrait OF Frederick; 70
it was portrait, although of that fac
they had no suspicion.
"Come, cheer up, Hans" said tn.
Enelshman.I "This will do. This il
by no means bad, don't you knowp"
"O'est magniAque," said Alphonse
"Voila un artistic qui peint de chic"
He was pale with envy, il seemed x
me. The picture was far beyond any
thing he could execute. OF that I fel
assured. And he was jealous. dis
liked him that's the plain truth. Ant
he did not like me. 1t may be that VI
did not understand each other.
lost sight of him soon afterwards
bad become of him. He was shot in the
late war, it apperaed. He had taken
arms for his native land, and persisted
in an affair of outposts near Thionville
not regular battle, but smere sketch
of one. So far, he had been faithful to
himself to the last. He never had &c
do with anything beyond sketches. He
could complete nothing-not even his
life. That was but q fragment-an out.
line never filled in. But digress.
The Englishman sentout for beer and
bread and meat. He said cheering
words, patting me on the back he SAT
with me while I ate ravenously, like a
wolf. I ceased to tremble; I grew warm
and comfortable. Then he took away
my painting. He returned later in the
day, bringing me money for it. He
had sold it advantageously to a dealer
of his acquaintance. was happy and
hopeful once more. And, forthwith, I
took my pipe out of pawn.
My luck had turned. Thenceforward
I prospered-not too suddenly, or in an
extraordinary measure, but after a
gradual and modest fashion. I was
content if I could but earn o subsistence;
and this came to be more and more q
matter of certainty with me. I was en-
abled to sell my pictures, upon terms
that were moderate, but still sufficient
Only could produce but few pictures !;
not that lacked industry, for indeed I
labored incessantly; but my constitu-
tional slowness could not be wholly
overcome. In time there arose GER
tain steady demand for my works. I
was not famous, but was succeeding.
I had even sold at last my illustration
Of the scene IN Lessing's Mlnna Won
Barnnelm and for considerable price.
All this had occupied some time,
however. Years, indeed, had passed
for it is only very rarely that name
can be made in day ; and, then, it is
never such a name as Hans. had
worked on steadily without quitting
London but I had removed from my
garret studio to more convenient and
seemly premises. I was growing gray,
and look of age had come into my
face. My figure was less erect than it
had been, and was tending to ungrace-
fulness of contour. All my waistcoats
had been enlarged. I was, indeed,
portly, from drinking English beer, or
from age and success, combined with
constitutional inclinings.
1 had not forgotten my Trederica.
Certainly not. But no such vision of
her as I have described had again visit
ed me. 1t was in my dire need that
she had come to me; but my time of
need was over. Still, she was often in
my thoughts. Often I resolved to return
to Germany, seek her out, and entreat
her to be mine. will go, said, when
I have saved SO much money; when I
have completed this picture or that.
Still I did not move. Ny natuaal SLOW
ness hindered me and postponed my
departure from time to time. Yet had
fairly attained the end of my coming to
England. I was generally recognized
to be successful painter in my pc
culiar and, perhaps, narrow path Of art.
was rich enough now both to love
and to marry. Formerly I could only
afford to love-an inexpensive pursuit
as I had conducted it.
At length I was constrained to 20 !;
for news reached me from Germany OF
the serious illness of my father. The
poor old man was dying, ! was
told. Alas arrived ut his bedside
only in time to close his eyes. Then I |
commenced my quest OF the Fraulein
Frederick.
1t was with difficulty could obtain
any tidings Of her. There was new
sub.rector at the university. The Herr
Professor Vandergucht was no more.
He was almost forgotten.
Presently came news" but what
news I was doomed to hear that my
Frederick had become the wife of Herr
of the firm of Eisendecken
Schnellen, merchants of Hamburg,
rading largely in train oil, hides, and
produce.
I sought out Herr Schnellen, for I
vas determined that I would not quit
Germany until I had seen once more
ny first and only love. ,,' t..
Herr Schnellen was an elderly gentle.
nan, portly and bald, with very stiff
collars but his manners we're gracious.
introduced myself to him, informing
lim that I had once enjoyed the ,sc-
luaintar ce of his wife when she was
Traulein Frederick, only daughter of
he Herr Professor of my university.
"a long time ago, mein Herr, he said
nth laugh. ''She was beautiful then"
Wonderfully beautiful" /
"One forgot her infirmity; at least,
did" And he sighed. o..
What inflrmity2 I did not dare to
SIX. Had Frederick a temperp Well,
was to be excused she was the wife
+ Herr Schnellen. ,
He invited me to his house. He led
ne into spacious apartment hand.
omely furnished.
My Fre!ericai It was difficult 10
her in the rotund lady, rubi-
und, white-haired, short-of-neck, and
supplied with chins, who ,
at huddled in an easy chair by the ,
tOve, with o crowd of chubby children
+ both sexes and various ages gathered /,
bout her. She was RECALLING them
18th "thick milk "a mess Of sour