Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-07
ALL OUT OF DRAWING.


One sutry, sunny afternoon i'll May "there
might have been seer" in q large-sized room in
an unpretentious building at Noting Hill, Eng
land, gcodly crowd Of artists, many young
End few old, that constituted the committee OF
the "Socicty of Water Colors not the society
whose movements are chroncled with no much
interest by all the art journals OF Great
Britain, but little, simple-minded society com.
posed of amateurs and young artists, with one
or two veterans to give it backbone.
At the time our story opens they we're sitting
in Judgment on the pictures sent in for their
annual exhibition, and they looked critical and
grave, as befitted their task Through the half
open door glimpses could be caught OF several
anxious ones in the receptioI-room waiting to
know their fate. Tho talk hummed on among
the committee, and at last the fiat went forth
all the pictures were to be admitted. To this
one of the veterans---a good-ooking man of
thirty y-fve-obje jected.
There il one really too abominably bad,
said he 'That 'Scene from Macbeth it
would never do to have that"
Oh, come, Stretton, you're too particular.
1t will pass muster among the rest"
"No, it won't; it will be a disgrace to the ex
hibiton. Just look at Macbeths leg and the
color-perfectly raw 1t will never do"
So the hum began again, and the result was
that the I" Scene from Macbeth" was literally
and figuratively turned face to the wall.
Stretton, satisfied at having saved the honor
Of the society, left the others to settle the re-
naming business, and was walking out Of the
L. l. Al.
good-natured little amateur, who could not
draw any more than frog what hasn't got
no tail" but WAS immensely conceitedt to make
up for it. He caught at Stretton eagerly.
81 say, old fellow, you've done it now. You
know that picture you insisted upon turning
out ? Well, it was painted by young girl, and
she was in the next room and heard every
word that yon said, and has gone home crying
her eyes out"
"By Jove !" exclaimed Stretton, looking dis
mayed, "Im awfully sorry. l wouldn't have
had it happen for the world. Poor little thing!
Confound my stupidity might have known
better. What shall do? Where is tho pic
ture?"
''Shos taken it home with her." said little
Boggs.
"What an internal idiot l was !" went on
Stretton. Poor little girl! l say, Doggs,
you're going my way. Suppose we lay eur
heads together and see what can be done?"
Every good said little Boggs.
The walk was not q long one and our two
friends did not loiter, yet they evidently accom-
plished something, for when they parted where
thoirpaths diverged, ,Stretton said "Then you'll
do it tomorrow, old fellow?"
A,,,l ID
to you afterward."
The next morning as the "poor little girl :"
sat painting away in q corner Of her sitting.
room, while her mother dozed and crocheted
and lamented the days when Mr.. Grierson was
alive, and they did not have to live in lodgings.
the dingy overgrown servant-girl announced
a gentleman to see Miss Grierson, and Mrs.
Grierson fled to the adjoining bedroom de-
spite her daughters assurance that "her dress
was all right, as little Boggs entered, looking
very much as if he wished he hadn't come.
Miss Grierson remembered his face, and the
thought of her rejected picture made her turn
both hot and cold.
Little Boggs introduced himself, and plunged
IN n.edids res. "Im awfully sorry, Miss Grier-
son, that you heard what was said yesterday,
and y
:" 1t is matter of no con sequence at ALL"
interrupted Miss Gricrson, with as much with
erng caimness as if poor little Boggs had called
her picture "abominaby bad"
'Well, but you know, Miss Grierson," per-
sisted little Boggs, 90 want to explain. Think
you ought to know. My friend-at least Stret
ton, you know-he said that purely out of
spite. He had quarrel with your father once
aud he did that just to spite you; he SAYS 30
himself. thought it my duty to tell you And
1 wouldn't be cut up about ii at all, if were
you. would just put it in Smells window, and
let tho public judge. I did the same thing
with one of mine, and it went of first-rate
Good-morning !" And little Boggs bundered
out of the room. feeling like fool and looking
much the same, it must be confessed.
Miss Grierson jumped up from her chair.
"What contemplate wretch To abuse nv
poor little picture and turn it out Of the exhibi
tion just from spite! To think that he hated
my father ~
"Who was it, Edith ?" asked Mrs. Griersop.
coming back to her easy-chair.
"Some one from the society, mamma" said
Edith, choking her rage.
Does any one want to buy your picture?"
No, no, mamma l am only advised to put
it into Snell's window. 1 shall do it, and
Well, we shall see.'
All the rest of the morning Edith sat nursing
her anger as she piled brush and pencil. Her
modification was gone, and in its stead burned
a fierce hatred toward Stretton. She would
never forgive him, she vowed, hotly; she would
never, never forgive him. And she would be
famous yet, and powerful, too. Perhaps the
day might come when the tables would be
turned. "Abominably bad = The picture
should go to SHELLS that very afternoon, and
the public should judge, as Mr.. Boggs sug
gested.
And to SHELLS it went, but not to remain long.
The next morning, when Edith passed the shop.
no blue and brick color Macbeth graced the
window. With quite sensation" she en-
tered. and learned that it had been sold an hour
before to gentleman who would like two
more Shakespearean subjects, if she would paint
them
What an impetus that gave her! The path
I glory seelncl opening before her. She walked
a.omo as IL crowned with laurel, and entered the