The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-02-08
to was alone accessible, IA terrible sense of hOr.
ror, accompanied the thoughts could not re-


er from sinister motives from avaricious Gle
signs, from schcming interests, from the
world --n very rulh of such was my world
composed,
As thus unused felt longing to get back
to the sunht field of clOvcrsurrounding the en-.
trance to the Ausablc Cbasm; in fact, | had
started toward the rude ladders leading out,
when musical voice broke the dcathlikc ST..
lcnce:
ITS strange freak of nature isn't it," ask
ed the voice.
turned with start of surprise, and behed
a man Of twoand.twcnty lay stretched out up.
ION Ike moss.paddcd rocks beside the little
spring
He was poorly dressed Il wellworn, illfitting
suit of brown linen clumsy and broken boots
"A straw hat thrown off beside HIM, Jagged at
the edges and innocent of II band, and withal
he had the air Of gentleman, and fine, dash
ing gentleman at that,
! said something of the surprise his voice
had oCcasloncd and as he struggled to IA sitting
Ipositon and rallied me on my sudden and visl.
bic effort to leave the place, ! sat down to learn
more of my new acquaintance.
This is not my first nor my fOrlicth visit ioI
the Chasm,' he said, in II pleasant voice, I've
been sNctching here in a small way, off and on,
| for month";
AN artst?' | asked
"No; poor devil of IA dry-goods clerk, but.
| have a taste for daubing, and | plnchcd to.
gcthcr few dollars and promised myself a.
Summer in the Adirondacks. got thus far
and changed my mind
That's odd"
well, no There's perfect rush to the
lakes this year; "a guide is an impossibility |
Guides have riz,' one of the Keesvilc farmers
said this morning, and are demanding $500 a
day. It's very picturesque hercabouts; per.
haps quiet month here will do me fully az
much good AS "A more extended trip
Then pcrcciving Il large portfolio, begged
to see his sketches and was delighted being
quite IA Judge in matters of art. turned over
but few of his pictures before | recognized
my friend was genius as well as u very hand.
some fellow
you are too clever an artist to waste your
time behind drygoods counter" said.
"l'm too sensible Il chap to undertake to
feed three mouths with my paintbr dearly
rs love it," he sand.
"Thrcey" asked
"a sister turned thirteen, and grandfather
turned thrcc-ScOrc."
Il was growing quite dark when, assisted .
by my new acquaintance, we scrambled up the :
detachment of ladders and reached the clover
field overhead
At the hotel we parted. | had insisted he
should ride to the village with me-
"Won't YOU come in and have some dinner g" :
/ asked
But he lightly lifted the broken hat from
the dark, curly head and gracously declined G
my invitation.
"At all events | will see Won arnip said
Il shall stay over SUNDAY now. ana make An
early start Monday"
\ sudden thought struck me- What u help n
it would be to this fine young fellow to pur- b
chase some of his pictures. True | had no v
use for them; but he was such charming lad :
and so much in need of the dollars that weigh =
ed so heavily on nv happiness.
This intention impaired to him, and never
shall forget the look of gratitude with which U
It was received u
Shall bring YOU some completed pictures a
tomorrow: They are not much do not ey. s.
)cCt much for them; but trif1c lust now is 81
luItc "A fortune to me" -
He spoke eagerly. and brlght flush swept =
across his boyish face at his PRESUMPTION. J."
urged him to bring all he could part with, 81
Is had an idea of starting n gallery of Amcri p
AN artists. p
And so, ioytully on one side, and much m Il
crested on the other, we separated until the n
morrow. !,
II see you've rot acquainted with John Mas :,
crs," said the landlord, that evening 4 bet "
cr lad never lived. He takes care of a blind "
grandfather and Il sister He works early and =
ate; he's "A wonderful rood bov-aud nv rIrl fl
here thinks So But John will never amount
o much; he's got this painting fever so hard te
nd will never hear of ANYTHING in that quar- f.
pr"
| glanced across at the village belle and :"
caulv, who stood laughing merrilv At a win. III
ow near us; and the unmistakabie spirit off u
match making rose within me r
| bded NV chance. and shpped I'M to Miss Ell
LATHE when business called her thrifty father 81
way. III
81 want vour advice on n matter Won know ~
lore about than |, probably" began. =.
The bright.lnced rir looked nm NJ nv rrav le
cad, and listened altentiycly. ~"
~ am roinp to nurchasr some sketches and II,
icturcs of John Masters tomorrow VIII Won N
i've me the benefit of your taste IN the mai. a.
~" continued. -,
In AN instant she was interested "Goipr 10 III
M, Mr. IoLn N,s,or,, ,,,,,,roe, ~ H., 10