Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-02-14
MEXICO. MISSOURI, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY a. 1878

to put up with me dropping my 'Rs.'
But" I added, slapping my pocket,
Il can pay him like gentleman"
sect out, you proud old
humbug!" said my friend, laughing
as he clapped me on the shoulder.
''But there, I'm obliged to you. He's
a gentleman and a man of honor
s'Oh, I'm not afraid he'll steal the
spoons" said, laughing.
''No," he said, dryly, 'No fear of
that. But you'll II make good pic
ture."
"Stuff!" 1 said. "Do you think
I'm going to be painted?"
''Why, what are you going to do,
them" he said, in an astonished
way.
"Let him paint little Cobweb," /
said, chuckling and rubbing my
hands.
My friend gave long whistle, and
after few more words he left.
| 1t did not strike me then, but re-
marked afterward that he seemed dis
posed to draw back from his propo-
sal; but l was now so wrapped up in
my plans that L could think of nothing
but the picture in the wood, and I
went home full of it, meaning it for q
a surprise.
Two days later one Of the servants
announced Mr.. Grantly on business,
and, on his being shown in, found
myself face to face with q handsome,
grave-looking man of about 80. He
was rather shabbily dressed, and
looked pale and ill as he bowed to
/ Cobweb and myself, ending by start
ing at my child, as / thought,i 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 said:
"Now, sir, when you please am
at your service
II beg your PARDON" he said, in q
low, musical voice. Miss Bur-
rows, l presume. One moment, please
don't move"
Cobweb was sitting in the bay-win-
dow, and, to my utter astonishment,
he quickly drew one of the curtains,
and then half closed another, so tina,
! the light fell strongly upon hair.
/ could not speak for the passion
bubbling up in my throat, and, as
stood gasping, he came and took my
arm, led me aside, and then, pointing
to where Cobweb sat, as astoundeC
as myself, he said:
: THAT would be admirable, sir. W.
could not improve that natural pose.'
''What the dickens--are you mad
sir? What do you mean?"
~ beg your pardon" he said
flushing, and speaking hastily. -
am SO wrapped up in my art, 1 though
you understood. Mr.. Eden said yo,
, wished me to paint this young LADY,
/ portrait. Am / mistaken?''
"Chut"' 1 calculated, cooling OF
the instant. II beg your pardon
7 sit down, sir. You're hungry, o.
, course How stupid of me!-Cob
web, my dear, order some lunch into
, the dining-room.
He smiled, returned the pressure o.
1 my hand in frank, honest way thai
! 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. l expect
ed seme snutfy-looking old painter,
mot a grave, handsome young fellow.
Buts 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.
''I'd half forgotten It," I said.
"She'll make good picture, eh?''
Admirable, sir. That position
struck me at once as / entered"
''Tll show you better one
than that, my boy" 1 chuckied.
but I'm a business man, what's your
tigure-the prize, eh?'
! He hesitated, and his hand tremb-
~ as he said:
/ cr'i-fifteen guineas be too
ana
fCeen!" l said.
should take great pains with il
1T would be long task" he said,
eagerly; and there was troubles in
the wrinkles of his forehead. ''Bui
if you think it too much"
II think it an absurd price, siI,"
MD, testify, for Eden had said he
as very poor. .'Why, Mr.. Elder
fave four hundred for scrap can.
as"
"Ry a very clever artist, SIR he
aid. with grave smile.
s'Look here,',. / said, s'Mr.-Mr
--Grantiy. You make good pic
ure of it, and I'll give you fifty
,uineas.
He flushed, and looked panied.
'sLess than half would pay me well
#ir," he said.
s'rut, TUT stuff, mani Elden tolt
ne you you were poor and hard up
(ou always win be if you are no
more of man of business. -