Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-14


only, was out of the question. There was
therefore, nothing for it but to put mp at th'
Swan hotel for .he night. have an especia
dislike TO passing an evening at an hotel III I
country town. Dinner at such places | neye
take, as l had rather go without than have
such as | am likely.to get Books are nevel
to be had, the country newspapers do no
interest me. The Times | have spelt through
on my journey. The society | am likely tc
meet have few ideas in common with my
self. Under such circumstances, | usually
resort to a meat tea to while away the time
and when that is over. occupy myself il
writing letters.
This WAS the iiIst tine ] had been in Lieh.
field, and while waiting for the tea, 1t occur
| red to me how. on two occasions within the
past six months, | had been on the point o
coming to that very place, at one time to
execute a small commission for an old ac-
quaintance, resident there. and another to
get the materials for picture | proposed
painting OF an incident in the early life OF
Dr. johnson. | should have come on each
of these occasions had not other arrange
ments diverted my purpose and caused me
to.postpone the journey indefinitely. The
thought. however, would occur to me, "IIow
strange Here l am at Lichiield, by no in
tention of my own, though l have twice tried
to get here and been baked" When l had
done tea thought l might as well write to
an acquaintance | had known some years
previously, and who lived IN the Cathedral
| close, asking him to come and pass an hour
or two with me. Accordingly l rang for the
waitress and,asked =
| 'Does Mr. Lutte live in Lichfield z
"Yes, sir
"Cathedral-close p
''Yes, sir"
"Can | send a note to him 2
"Nes, sir.
| wrote the note, saying where | was, and
asking if he would come for an hour or two
and talk over old matters. The note was
taken i'll about twenty minutes, person of
gentlemanly appearance, and what might be
termed the advanced middle age, entered the
room with my note in his hand, saying that
/ had sent him letter, he presumed. by
mistake, as he did not know my name See
ing. instantly, that he was not the person
intended to write TO, | apologized, and asked
whether there was not another Mr.. Lutte liy-
ing III Ilchtield.
mo. there was none other
Certainly" rejoined, my friend must
have given me his right address, for | had
written to him on other occasions here. He
was n fair young man he succeeded 10 an
estate in consequence OF his uncle having
hounds and he married, about two years
since, lady Of the name of Fairbairn.
The stranger very composedly replied,
"lou are speaking OF Mr.. Clyne ; he did live
in the Cathedral-close, but he has now gone
away"
The stranger was right. and in my sur
prise | exclaimed
"Oh, dear to be sure, that is the name
what could have made me address you in
stead? really beg your pardon my writ
ing 10 you, and uncOnsciously guessing your
name, is one of the most extraordinary and
unaccountable things | ever did. Pray par
don me"
lie continued very quietly
There is no need OF apology it happend
that You are the very person l most wished
TO see. You are painter, and | want you to
paint portrait 'ot my daughter can you
come to my house Immediately for the pur-
pose
| was rather surprised at finding myself
known by him, and the turn matters had
taksn- Icing So entirely unexpected. did not
nj the moment leei ihv,sI-- ---S,A-.---- -
business l therefore explained now | was
situated, stating that | had only the next
day and Monday at my disposal. He, how
ever, pressed me SO earnestly, that | arrang
ed to do what could for him in those two
days and having put up my baggage and
arranged other matters, | accompanied him
to his house. During the walk home, he
scarcely spoke a word. but his taciturnlty
seemed only a continuance of his quiet COM
posure at the inn. On our arrival, he intro
duced me to his daughter Maria, and then
left the room. Maria Lutte was II fair and II
decidedly handsome girl OF about fifteen
her manner was, however in advance OF her
years, and evinced that self possession. and
In the favorable sense of the term, that
womanliness, that is only seen at such an
early age in girls that have been left mother
less. or from other causes thrown much on
their own resources.
She had evidently not been informed of
the purpose of my coming. and only knew
that ! was to stay there for the night she
therefore excused herselffor n few moments,
that she might give the requisite directions
to the servants as to preparing my room.
When she returned, she told me that |
should not see her father again that eve
ming, the state of his health having obliged
him TO retire for the night but she hoped
should be able to see him some time on the
morrow. In the meantime, she hoped |
would make myself quite at home, and call
for anything l wanted. She herself was sit
ting III the drawing room, but perhaps
should like to smoke and take something If
So there was "A fire III the hOuse-keepers
room, and she would come and sit with me,
as she expected the medical attendant every
minute. and he would probably stay to
smoke and take something. As the little
lady seemed to recommend this course, |
readily complied | did not smoke or take
anything. but sat down by the fire, when she
Immediately joined me. She conyersed well
and readily, and with command OF Ian
guage singular In person so young With
out being disagreeably inquisitive or put
ting any question to me, she seemed desir-
Gus of learning the business that had brought
me to the house. | told her that her father
wished me to paint either her portrait, or
that of II sister of hers, if she had one.
She remained silent and thoughtful for Il
moment, and then seemed to comprehend 1t
at once. She told me that n sister of hers,
an only one, to whom her father was deyot
edly attached, died near four months prevl-
ously that her father had never yet recover
ed from the shock of her death. lie had
often expressed the most earnest wish for
portrait of her indeed, it WAS his one
thought and she hoped, II something ofthc
kind could be done. 1t would improve his
health. Here she hesitated, stammered, and
burst INTO tears. After II while she contin-
ued 1t Is no use hiding from you what
you must very soon he aware of Papa IL
insane-he has been SO ever since dear Caro-
line was buried. He says he Is always see
ing dear Caroline, and he is subject to fear
ful delusions. The doctor says he cannot
tell how much worse he may be. and that
everyt thing dangerous, like knives or razors
is TO he kent ont of hls reach. IL WAS neces-
sary you should not see him again this eve
ming, as he was unable to converse properly
and | fear the same may be the case to-moI-
row but perhaps you can stay over Sunday
and may be able to assist YOU in doing
what he wishes asked whether they had
any materials for making a likeness "a pl
tograph, u sketch, or anything else for me to
90 from mo. they had nothing" Gould
she describe her clearly ?" She thought she
could and there was a print that was very
much like her, but she had mi4laid it. |
mentioned. that with such disadvantages
and ia such an absence of materials, | did
not anticipate a satisfactory result hni
painted portraits under such circumstances
but their success much depended upon the
powers of description of the persons who
were to assist me hy their recollection in
some instances | had attained II certain