The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-01-04
:. cbnt y, 7 circulated. cooling on the


instant. CT beg your pardon. Sit |
down, sir. You're hungry, of course.
How stupid of me l-Cobweb, my dear,
oraer some lunch into the dining-room.
He smiled, returned the pressure OF
my hand in frank, honest way that L
liked, and then looked after my darling
in way that did not like; for this was
not what meant, and my jealousy was
aroused. / expected Some snufiy-look-
ing old painter, not n grave, handsome
Young fellow. But L remembered Tom
Elden's words" He is gentleman, and
a man of honor and, casting away my
suspicious thoughts, L entered into the
subject at once.
"Td half forgotten it, Isaid. "She'll
make a good picture, ell ?"
Admirable, sir. Thatposition struck
me at once as L entered"
"Pu show You better one than that,
nv boy" I chuckled. "But I'm a
business man, what's your tigure--the
prize, eh Z"
He hesitated, and his hand trembled
as he said
"Would - fifteen guineas be too
much ?"
Fifteen y l said.
"I should take great pains with it
it would be long task" he said, eager
ly; and there was troubles i'll the
wrinkles of his forehead. "But If you
think it too much"
81 think it an absurd price, sir" /
said, testify, for Eden had said he was
very poor. "Why, Mr.. Eden gave
four hundred for bit of scrap can
vas"
"By very clever artist, sir, he said,
with grave smile.
"Look here" said, Mr.-Mr. -
GRAVITY. You make good picture of
it, and I'll give you fifty guineas.
He flushed, and looked panied.
"Less than half would pay me well,
sir" he said.
"Tut, tut stuff, man Eden told
me you were poor and hard up. You al
ways will be if you are not more OF a man
of business.
"Sir!" he exclaimed, rising and look
ing at me angrily. CT came here ex.
pecting the treatment"
He stopped short, reeled, sank into his
chair, covered his face with his hands,
and sobbed like child.
"My dear sir-I-really-I-I didn't
mean" 1 stammered, perspiring al
every pore, for the position was most
painful.
"No, no." he said hastily, CT beg
your pardon. But-but," he continued,
striving manfully to master his emotion,
Ct have been very i'll, sir, and l an
weak. ! have been unforturate-almost
starving at times. / have not broken
bread since yesterday morning. coulo
not without selling my colors. II an
much obliged-fOrgive me-let me &c
back to town. Oh, my God, has it come
to this 2"
He sank back half fainting, but start
ed as L roared out, eco away" fol
Cobweb was coming into the room.
"Thank YOU" he said. taking my
hand as he saw what / had done. ct
was so kind of YOU"
"My dear fellow" said, "this is
terrible;" and mopped my face
"There, sit still-back directly"
1 ran out to find Cobweb in the hall
ooh, you dear, good father" she
cried, with tears III her eyes. "What {
kind surprise But is anything wrongg 2
artist little faint" said. Here
the sherry-biscuits. Stop away bit
/ ran back with them, and made hin
take some wine, and, thus revived, ht
rose and thanked me.
"What are you going to do?" / said
staring.
"Tm going back to town, sir" hC
said quietly, but with his lower lip trem
| IL. % toll h.
task. thank you, but it is too late.
am not well. "
1 looked at him as business man
and in that brief glance, as in revela
ton, L saw the struggles of poor
proud man of genius, who could not bat
tie with the world. saw the man wh'
had sold, bit by bit, everything j.,
owned, in his struggle for daily bread
and, as I looked at him, felt ASHAMED
that 1 should be so rich, and fat, anC
well.
"Mr GRAVITY" said, taking hi
hand, CT am a rough man, and spoiled
by bullying people. and having my owl
way. / beg your pardon for what hav,
said and am going to say. You came
down here, sir, to paint my little girl
! pOIliutt, anu you "lc SOilS W Dtliho 4
before you go back to town; and whel
you do go, you are going to have fift,
guineas i'll your pocket Hush ! not
word, sir. My old friend Eden told M
that you were gentleman and man o
honor. Tom Eden is never deceived
Now, sir. please come into the dining
room and have some lunch. Not a word
please. If good food won't bring yo'
round, you shall have the doctor; for, a
the police say" continued, laughing
you're my prisoner but on parole.
He tried to speak, but could not, ant
turned away.
"All right" said; call right" ant
1 patted him on the shoulder, and wake,
away to the window for a few minute
before i turned back to find him NOR
composed.
That afternoon we all three went on
into the wood, and / made Cobweb stan
as had seen her on that day.
GRAVITY was delighted, and insiste'
upon making a sketch at once; and the
the days )re on, with the painting pre-
crossing slowly, bnt in way that was
wonder to me, 80 exquisite was ever
touch, for the artists whole soul was i
his work