Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-04-19
ART.
tunt keramill's Studies.
Mrs. +. 7. Corbett in llarpcr'S Magazine fo


Mrs. T.. r. Corbett in llarpcr'S Magazine for
april
1t is perhaps Il year ago since drop
ped in to call upon Mrs. X. one even
ing, and found her poring over that
fatal volume, " First Steps III Household
Art say .tdtai adyisedly, for, inno-
cent as the book seemed, it was destined
to poison nly peace of mind, and to cost
my poor aunt much pain and misery in
the days to come.
But, happily unconscious rs yet of
the trouble in store, my aunt looked up
from her book Oh my entrance and ex-
claimed
80 Frederic, I'm glad you've comel
| want YOU to read this charming book,
and then to tell me what you think Of
ii. What stupid mistakes have been
making all these years. Why, | see
now that | did not comprehend the first
principles of Art not even its alphabet.
But will begin at once, will refurnish
this house in accordance with my new
ideas, and then. Frederic, my dear, you
shall see-what you shall see"
Somewhat puzzled, began to ques-
tion, but for all answer my aunt thrust
the First Steps IN Household Art, into
my hand, and bade me read and be
convinced.
Dutifully | turned over page or
two, but found their contents decid-
ediy mystifying. Meanwhile my aunt
was running on glibly, iii what seemed
to me an unknown tongue. tried my
best to turn the conversation into more
familiar channels, but in vain. Re
naisance, bric-a-brac, dados, portercs,
Queen Anne mirrors, coyes, Eastlake,
Morris wallpapers, decorative Art-the
latter pronounced with capital A
these succeeded each other with start
ling rapidty, until at last | rose to take
leave, feeling almost anxious about my
aunts sanity
1t so happened that | was obliged to
leave town early the next day on urgent
business, SO | did not see her again for
nearly week. But what a surprise
awaited me ] started in helpless
amaaement when the door was opened
in answer to my ring, and should have
apologized for getting into the wrong
house had not Johns smiling vissage
reassured me- lie alone was unchang-
Gu. blll NIlstl IIICdIll llllS lIdIlSIOIIIld-
tion? The elegant carpets and curtains
had disappeared; 50 had the luxurious
chairs and lounges; SO had the superb
mirrors, the valuable pctures.-in fact,
all the furniture and ornaments Of which
my aunt had been SO proud. In their
places | behed ugly old Dutch clocks,
clumsy carved furniture ponderous and
grim Of aspect, sconces holding candles
whose dim light only made one regret
the gas, and tiny mirrors in queer
frames. Old china plates We're sus-
pended all over the walls, Japanese cab
inets stood here and there, and in place
Of the polished crate with its camel
coal fire, an enormous fireplace now
yaHned before me, its sides ornamented
with tiles, the tall brass andlron and
fender framing in i couple Of blazing
logs The floor was dark and shiny,
and terribly slippery, as | found out in
moment, 50 ! stepped gladly on a
dingy rug az nj island Of refuge. AT
one side Of the fire, on Il tall carved
oaken settle sat my aunt looking
blissfUlly content with her new sur
roundings.
Isn't it charming, Frederic was her
first question. Then II found it all ii
that delightful book,-th one ! was
reading when you left me last week,
YOU know, Fred? Did you ever see
such transformation \
Never, | replied, with considerable
emphasis; but are YOU quite sure, my
dear aunt, that yon find yourself a.
comfortable ~ formerly Ihis article
OF furniture, Is for instance, touching
the back Of the wooden settee, ~" isn't
it little hard, iusta little, hard and UNI
accommodating Don't you miss your
delightfully."- easy chairs, now
Frederic, said my aunt, with 4
mingling 81 reproof and surprise III her
tones ~" Frederic, can YOU be so insensi-
bic 70 the value Of true household Art
a. to regret the furniture have discard