Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-09-27
AFTER MANY DAYS.

enough 10 take him to Rome for two or
three years. When he came back, he
gained high and just IDEAS of art and
much technical skill. But very few peo-
pie bou ght pictures 40 years ago, and the
times we're as hard MS they are now.
David, with his mother and sister to
support, soon found himself without a
dollar.
"I'll have to come to you Tor work."
he said, bitterly enough to his uncle Ben,
who was carpenter. 81 can drive a
nail and handle saw if / cannot paint
pictures worth buying
Ma, ma, my lad. When ye've got
trade, stick tut" said the hard faced
old Scotchman, " Though could wish
ye he'd u decent one, my own for exam
ple."
So ~oung Bruce contented him self with
diet OF black bread and milk, to give
his mother and little Jeanie full share
of prov isions.
Matters we're fast coming to an eztrem
iiv. There was little but bread end wa-
ter in the larder, when David received an
offer of work from amanufactul er OF wall
paper, who was in need Of new designs.
His uncle Ben brought the man to see
him.
Here's rare chance for ye lad. Mr..
Jenkins will pay We well, nae doot. My
nephew has been for years learnin' his
trade in The capitals Of Eu ope," turning
to the manufacturer, a red, pudgy l'ttle
man. Yen find he's fitted himself to
design your paper to your satisfaction"
Wcy, uncle !" cried David, 'ed with
rage, I'm not dauber of signs and
wall paper paint landscapes-great
historical pictures"
Ye'le a fule I" whispered his urcle.
Have you a mind yer mither shall
s'arve D.? Luck at her thin cheeks yonner."
! David glanced into toe other room.-
He was very civil 10 his visitor after that,
though secretly gnashing his teeth with
modification.
I" OH must put your best touches on,
Bruce" said the manufacturer. I'm
not easily pleased. l never pay for the
fl st designs, but if l approve 1t, I'll be u
liberal patron"
Il imagine you'll be satisfied" said
David loitiy.
The next day the caroenter came to see
how tbe wo,k progressed. "The'e are
half dozen designs. I dashed item OF
ihis morning." said David, indinerentlv.
Ben looked over them through his spec.
acles.
I'm no judge of such matters. Are
these good, David ?"
=" Goo enough"
els it the best We can do ?"
Certainly not. Do you ,hir k I'd put
my best work or wall. paper ?" Did l
go 10 Rome for that ?"
"Dinna ye mird the guide Book SAYS,
Whatsoever thv hand fndeth to do. do
it with all Thy might p Nav, theie's
my journeyman, Jock Sawti ee," laying
the papers carefully in a pile on the table,
Jock says to me this mornin', Ben,'
says he, why dye plane off the top of
the planks of the porch as smooth as the
bottom I? It's a wasting of time says
he, 'Nobody'd knew if you sighted
them.' Jock, says l, I'D Know"
David glanced at the old man IN mute
and then he gathered up the designs rnd
threw them into the fire. - You're bet
ter artist than l., be said.
81 know naething aboot at, but 1
know wha's honest" said Ben.
David spent the rest Of the day on a
design. 1T was the best be could do. In
the evening be showed it to his mother
and Jeanie.
MY idea is the paper Of chamber,
in which the occupant, waking from
sleep, shall have glimpse of the field
outside"
The ground of the design was of the
pale blue Of the air, against which waved
long fine grasses and white wild daisies,
with here and there n joyous song SPAR
row, in fight. or poised TO sing.
at is The field where you used to play
when you were boy. David - cried his
mother.
81 know, mother"
David had put so much feeling and his
tenderest recollection into the sketch that
he felt it must succeed. But the nest
day he received curt note from the
manufacturer, stating that he could not
feel justified in employing him. This de-
sign being the first, was, of course, his
property
$50 my best work is wasted" said
David.
Several weeks later. ne saw in the win
dows Of the manufacturer in High street,
paper printed in his design. 1t sold rap
Idly. But the truth was, the manufaci.
urer chose to employ cheaper and infer
ior workmen.
The times began to revive soon after
that. Young Bruce had commission to
paint the portrait of the mayor. and so
became we'll known. Prese7lly his land
scapes were sold. Slowly and surely, he
went on his way TO fortune, carrying his
dear o'd mother and Jeanie with him
and after little while wife and baby
were added to the happy household.
There were one or two little incidents
in his after life which | wish to recall.
Many years after he had gained fame
and prosperity, he visited brother artist
OF yet higher standing than his own, who
lived in bleak district OF New England.
His host had but one child, boy Of
about eleven, who was carried into the
parlor by two men, seated in an easy