The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-05-19
For the Bloomfield Times.
THE JUDGES PORTRAIT.

1Xl- of that numerous class of individ-
uals, who are called " excellent, clever men
enough" with the qualifying phrase,
"not very we'll calculated to get along in
the world"
Mr.. Alexander Flint was portrait pain
ter. He was settled in a small country
place, where he received just sufficient
patronage, to enable his family to "live
from hand to mouth" as the saying is,
without ever arriving at the happy condi-
ton of decided, satisfactory comfort r
This was not in consequence of u lack of
talent. Our Flint was a true artist. l
have seen some of his paintings, which
manifest delicate fancy, and fine, dis
eliminating taste, in the blending of light
and shade, and throwing them in contrast,
with effect. Mr., Flint, however, had not
that high order of imagination, which con-
stitutes an active genius. He was simply
man of skill and talent l
But it is not my business to criticise Mr..
Flint as an artist. / should speak Of him
only as man. What l intend to say,
therefore, is this. 1t was no inferiority in
the exercise of his profession that prevent
ed Mr.. Flint from "getting along in the
world" 1t was the knowledge of human
nature, he wanted-boldness, energy and
decision.
Mr.. Flint was too sensitive. He cared
too much for the opinion of others, and had
| -. - 60
If he thought he had displeased a friend,
even in the most triaing matters, he was
so troubled that he could not sleep. On
one occasion, when his neighbor, Judge
Rufley, looked coldly at picture on which
he prided himself, and said no word in
commendation, the poor artist was misera-
BILE for week afterwards.
Mrs. Flint was too much like her hus-
band. Such men should have strong
minded, energetic wives Alexander's was
feeble, timid, sensitive as himself. The
children, too, were exact patterns of their
parents. No family was ever less deserving
of their name. The big Flints and the
little Flints, all were as little like real fints
as the turtle-dove is like the soaring eagle.
l mentioned Mr.. Rufey. Our artist was
afraid of that man. Mrs. Flint was afraid
of him, too; so were the children. Not
one but would much rather not meet Mr..
Rufley in the street, if the meeting could
be avoided. Mr.. Flint never passed his
house, if he could help it, he was always
SO uncomfortable when he felt that Mr..
Ruhey was looking at him His children
always stopped breathing and looked down
and walked very straight, and put on looks
of becoming seriousness, when they went
by Mr.. Ruhey's house, on their way to
school.
The Flints thought the Rufleys did moi
respect them. don't know how this
might be; can only say that the feeling
is very natural with people who don't re.
spect themselves. But much severeI
charge against the Ruheys was that they
were unkind, sour, morose. This impress
sion was given by Mr.. Rufey alone his
family were judged by him.
/ frequently meet with such men. To
be candid with the reader, Judge Rufley
was one of the best and most benevolent
men in the world. He had an " odd way
of showing it," however, and that is what
the Flints could not understand. A phre.
nologist would have said Mr.. Ruhey had
no suavity. Mr.. Flint said he had nc
more manners than bear. Now, if the
judge felt ever so kindly towards man,
he could not, were it to save his life, be
smooth and polished, and full of compli.
ments, as the honeycomb is full of sweet
ness. ] am sure he was never guilty of a
bit of aattery, even of the most innocent
description. If he wished to commend a
person, he did it in the most abrupt and
shockingly fiat manner-7just as he might
have expressed his disapprobation under
other circumstances. He would never
make up his mouth to the polite phrases
Of the day, which cover so much hypocri
sy. They stuck in his throat. To con,
clude, he was the toughest, honestest
kindest man in the village. In person, he
was slightly inclined to portliness, large
with full face, sandy complexion, shaggy
eyebrows, and sharp gray eyes, On the
whole, his countenance had forbiddine
expression, like the exterior of some tav
erns have seen, which are the warmest
and most comfortable cribs in the world
when you once get into them. Moreover
Judge Ruhey was careless in his dress, ant
he usually wore his beard week, which
gave him savage aspect.