The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-01-17
" And gay cavaliers, with dandy airs

sne began TO talk about the country
place [ had taken.
A fortnight later and We were settled
down; and really, with all ray London
notions, I began to find the calm and
repose of the country delicious. Cob
web was delighted, and constantly drag
giDg me somewhere or another into the
grounds of the pretty old place, where
she arranged garden seats in the snug
gest, shadiest spots for my especial be-
hoof.
As have said, there was wilderness
of wood adjoining the garden, which
the former possessor had left in state
of nature, saving that he lad had the
old footpaths and tracks widened in
their cid winding ways, carefully tutfed
and dotted with chair here and there.
This was Cobweb's s favorite place, and,
if I missed her out in the garden, [
knew I should find her here, with the
sun raising a shower of golden beams
through the network of leaves overhead.
to dance and flash among the waving
tresses Of her long, golden hair.
One day I found her leaning on g dead
bough which crossed an openir in the
wood, where all seemed of delicete
twilight green. She was listening in
tently to the song of bird overhead,
and, asI stopped sholt, gazing at the pict-
ure before me, I said to myself with a
sigh:
"All that's bright must fade! My
darling, 1 wish I had your likeness as
you stand. Time flies" I fntittefed,
land the winter comes at last, with
bare trees to the wood-gray hairs and
wrinkles to the old
She caught sight of me directly, and
the scene was changed, for I was listen
ing the next moment to her merry, hap
py voice.
A day or two later I was in the city,
where always went twice week-for I
cou1d not give up business, it was part
of my life-when an old friend dropped
in, and, in the course of convtrsation,
he said
"By the way, Burrows, why don't
you have your portrai1 painted 2"
&C Bah stuff What or?" said
We'll, said my old friend, laughing,
81 don't know, only that it would give
poor artist 1 know a Job; and, poor
fellow, he wants it badly enough"
Bah I'm handsome enough with
out being painted" I said, gruffiy
Then, as thought flashed through my
mind-for saw again the picture in the
wood, with Cobweb leaning on the
branch" Stop a minute. Can he paint
well?''
Gloriously.'
"And is terribly hard up?H
Horribly, poor fellow.
"How's that?"
"Don't know. He's poor and proud,
and the world has dealt very hardly with
JACK 5i a. Il fi Is Win IL FEHngpat Hg with EVERYONE
o1l II
"true. Well, look here; I'll give him
job. Would he come down and stay at
my place? ?"
"Oh, yes, if you treat him well; but,
as tell you, he's poor and proud, and
quite gentleman.
"Well, I'm not, !" said, testify. "Ill
give him enough to eat, and a good bed
to sleep on; and he'll have to put up
with me dropping my his But [
added, slapplng r1y pocket, " can pay
him like gentleman"
"Get out, you purse proud old hum
bug!" said my friend, laughing as he
clapped me on the shoulder. "But
there, I'm obliged to you. He's gen
tleman and man of honor"
son, I'm not afraid he'll steal the
spoons" said, laughing.
"No," he said, dryly, ''No fear of
that. But you'll make good picture. -
"Stuff!' said. "Do you think I'm
going to be painted? ?"
why, what are you going to do,
then % he said, in an astonished way.
"Let him paint little Cobweb," I
said, chuckling and rubbing my hands.
My friend gave long whistle, and
efter few more words he left.
1t did not strike me then, but I re-
IA L
posed to draw back from his proposal;
but I was now SO wrapped up in my
plans that I could think of nothing but
the picture II the wood, and [ went
home full of il, meaning it sur
prise.
Two days later one of the servants an
nounced Mr.. Grantly on business, and,
on his being shown in, [ found myself
face TO face with a ha, dsome, grave
looking man of about so. He was rather
shabl>ig dressed, and looked pale and
i'll as } : bowed to Cobweb and myself,
endiDs " staring at my child, as [
Though IN rather a peculiar way.
This annoyed me-a stout, choleric,
elderly man-for no one had a right to
look at my Cobweb but me; and spoke
rather testify as 1 said:
Now, sir, when you please I am at
your service.
81 beg your pardon," he said, in
low, musical voice. Miss Burrows, L
presume. One moment, please-don't
move'
Cobweb was sitting in the bay-win-
dow, and, to my utter astoZishrnent, he
quickly drew one of the curtains, and
then half closed another, SO that the
light fell strongly upon hair.
I could not speak for the passion bub-
bling up in my throat, ard, as ] stood
gasping, he came and took my arm, led
me aside, and then, pointing to where
Cobweb sat, as astounded as myself, he
said:
That would be admirable, sir. We
could not improve that natural pose"
"What the dickens-are you mad,
sir? What do you mean?'
Il beg your pardon, % he said, flush
ing, and speaking hastily. Il am so
wrapped up in my art, I thought you
understood. Mr.. Elden said You ished
me to paint this young lady's portrait.
Am mistaken2"
Chut y I calculated, cooling on the
instant. q beg your pardon. Sit
down, sir. You're hungry, of course.
How stupid OF me !-Cooweb, my dear,
oruer some lunch into the dinir g-r ROOM
He smiled, returned the pressure of
my hand in a frank, honest way that L
liked, and then looked after my darling
in way that did not like; for this was
not what 1 meant, and my jealousy was
aroused. / expects d some snuffy look
ing old painter, not a grave, handsome
young fellow. But L remembered Tom
Eden g words" He is sgentleman, and
man OF honor and, casting away my
suspicious thoughts, entered into the
subject at once. s