The Leavenworth weekly times., 1876-08-17
How Artemus Ward Estonished the Picture
Dealer.

was walking with Artemus Ward one
fine morning in Piccadilly, when we were
Joined by Tom Robertson, the author ol
"Cas,e," "Ours," etc. We pursued our walk
toward the Garrick Club, when in passing
Coventry street, which leads out of the his
toric Leicester square, where Hogarth long
resided, We observed shop window full OF
oil paintings of various degrees of
merit, and at the bottom little basketful
of eggs, with a small, neat label attached,
"New laid eggs" Artemus, always on the
qui vive, was struck with the old admixture
of works Of art and eggs.
That's worthy OF an American all-sorts-
shop" broke out Robertson. 81 am told that
at your country stores you sell everything,
from bedstead to an ounce OF tea. Is that
so?"
why, certainly" returned Ar,emus.
"Lets go in and zee what sort OF a coon the
proprietor is, anyhow"
Artemus led The way, and we followed
him. The shop was hung around with pot
boilers OF sorts of subjects-seedy landscapes,
lank figures and wondrous neurological
compositions-the sweepings OF country inns
and posting houses Of remote date. The
master, who was evidently breakfasting,
came in with napkin under his chin.
He was dull, heavy, portly man, wear
ing glasses. He bowed politely, and Arte-
mus spoke.
81 hear that you have some bargains in
the way of pictures. l am an American
gentleman forming a gallery in one of the
States Of the Far West. Have you any
showy groups? We like something snowy
in the home of the setting sun"
"Sir :" said the man, no, comprehending
the phrase.
81 see you do not quite understand. We
call America the Home OF the Setting Sun
the Land Of the Free-the Star -Spangled
Prairie Flower, you know"
"JLst 80" said the man, evidently con-
fused by this phraseology. 81 think / can
find what you require" and moments
search brought to hight a very flowery rep
resenta,ion Of "Early Summer the bright
tints of which fairly made us wink. There's
a lively piece-it's dirt cheap. can do
that for you-e5 5s-l bought it st a sale
of the late Lord Lansdowne's sit was in his
library-remark the color Of those roses."
Artemus placed his head on one side, shut
An eve, ana Affected 10 tnrOW u critlcai ex-
preston into his face. Then, turning to
Robertson, said, as if confdentially, 81
think that will do very we'll, eh? Thoae
roses eeem tn blow as We look at 'em, eh %
"Just the thing for the Farwest, should
say. The farther West the better" Rob-
ertson added, soto roce.
Artemus went peering about as if an1-
lously examining the walls. "What is the
subject ?" ne asked, glancing at what might
have been intended "a an illustration Of .
bad Arabian Night-Mare Entertainment
That's Midday Meal in Nubia," re-
piled the dealer, arranging his specs.
Artemus affected to admire it enormously.
"By Jove, K bertson, there's a gem. Only
look how, luxurious are the accessories-,he
complete sense Of MONDAY heat, the bright,
clear air, the strong, sharp shadows. See
the hearty enjoyment with which the group
consume their-"and Artemus hesitated to
name the fruit, as veil he might.
"Watermelons," prompted the man.
thank you; of course; they are not
exactly like our American melons, but they
are lovely. See how they eat and talk and
Jest until the white teeth Of the Nubians-