Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-03
NO. "a.
Gales ano Sketlbes.
THE FATE OF THE FOSBROOKES.
CHAPTER I.

nobility, the Fosbrookes. of Fosbrooke
Manor, held their heads as high, and were
Is proud Of their long pedigree as any
Baronet IN the country. And with good
cause; so many intermarriages with right
noble DANES were cmblazohed on that ROLL
so broad We're the acres over which the
squire held manorial and territorial sway
so fine specimen of Tudor architecture
was his grand old mansion, that the Lord
of the manor it represented might well be
pardoned if he boaSted the blue blood
which had come to him through successive
maternal veins, and forgot that he held no
other lordshp
The Fosbrookes of Fosbrooke, however,
were not given to boasting. They had
been 'Squres of the land for so many gen
erations that their position was assured,
and needed no tpImpet tongue to pro-
claim it. | am myself Fosbrooke, and
perhaps inherit the old leaven, if in
hert nothing more.
For it happens that am the descendant
of a degenerate and disowned Fosbrooke,
who struck deadly blow at the family
pride, and my name-neither Rupert nor
Reginald, but blunt. plain John. barrister
at law-may be found on the lintes of Il
door in the Inner Temple; and three
months ago Fosbrooke Manor was known
to me only through tradition.
My grandfather grandfather, so have
been told, was the 'Squre's second son,
and destined for the army in accordance
with established precedent. But he, Ru-
pert, had no mind to gird n warriors
sword upon his thigh. He had watched
the family portraits grow warm and life
like under the hand Of Gainsborough had
gone with the artist into the woods and
terraced gardens in quest of fitting back
grounds, and, lingering by his side, the
longing grew within himself to he paint
er, and reproduce on the loveliness of life
and nature. Unknown to Squire or
Dame. their son sketched bv Gains
borough's side, and he proud of his art,
tostered the youths enthusiasm, all un-
wittino of mischief
Thus it chanced that when the rising
painter returned to the metropolis. after
prolonged stay in the ancient Manor House,
he left behind pupil longing TO emulate
his master. a well as n group of pictures
in the oaken gallery.
Then il was discovered that Rupert dab
blcd in pigments but So long as he only
handled his brush for amusement. he might
copy the old pictures on the walls. group
IL
in armour from the staircase. and transfer
to the panels of his chamber his crude i'm
aginings of art, with no further token of
disapprobation than the contemptuous
laughter of his father and brother, who re-
gardcd n foX's brush rs trophy, but a
painters rs the mere tool of craftsman.
Yet the very taunts and sarcasms which
followed the young laggard in the hunting
field, the mSportsman shot in woods or
stubble, drove him for refuge to the sol-
tude of his own chamber, and for solace
to the art contemned by those around him.
But not until Rupert declined to be a
soldier did opposition culminate and wrath
grow fierce. In vain did the good mother
plead with son and sire; in vain did Reg
inald urge his brother to renounce his de-
grading pursuit as slur on their ancient
lineage and escutcheon, holding out the
army as the only outlet for n Fosbrooke.
Rupert was a. persistent as his elder
brother, as resolute rs his father was
vehement: all augmentation ending with
the same resolve:
Il will not lay down my paint brush
for Il sword
''Then by heaven I'll make bonfire of
your painting rattetraps. No son of mine
shall spend his days in daubing canvas to
disgrace lis all. - cried the old Squire i'm
his wrath.
Presently there was great blaze in the
courtyard, that seemed to flame again in
the dark eyes of Rupert, who stood in the
doorway with knitted brows and folded
arms, a fire kindling in his heart as all his
treasures went to feed the holocaust
His lip curled. AYE. burn them, an
You will: | shall be a painter notwith-
Standing
"lou paint no more in Fosbrooke Man
or, Master Rupert. " replied his fatherw
decision. There is Your commission.
take it or leave it. But if you leave it YOU
quit Fosbrooke at once and forever. See
then if brush or sword be best to fight
your way with
"lou may cast the commission among
the burning rattletraps,' returned the
young man proudly. I'm none of it.
You have kindled II fire to destroy. and it
will die in ashes but the fire of genius is
unquenchable and that creates. -
mo weeping Madam" shouted the
Squire. as Dame Fosbrooke's kerchief
went to her fearful eyes 'Let him carry
his genius elsewhere He paints no more
under this roof. And look You sir" he
called after Rupert. who was following his
distressed lnOtnef. III ever YOU put Nv
ing foot on this threshold while I'm above
ground, I'll have You pitched out neck and
crop, You ungratetul whelp."
Reginald stood apart, but made no sign
of intrrpo>ition. Rupert turned AT
your bidding. sir, 90. Fosbrooke Manor
is now no place for me. But living or
dead. shall come back to my home some
day, and none shall say me nav when next
paint beneath its roof"
lie sought his sorrowng mother, and
clung to her embrace. but. proud and per-
sistent as his kin, tore himself away. In
half an hour he WAS on the road to London
with naught but what his steed could car
ry, aud his mothers fearful blessing.
Squire Fosbroke closed the chamber of
his degenerate son and the avenues of his
heart He made II will. in which he utter
" renomced him, and thenceiorth woe
5etide the luckless wight who dared to
speak of Rupert in his hearing.
haI haan h;- 4, chi1I h..