New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-19
OLD VANDERHAVEN'S WILL
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

STILL evening air, as they played the SHADOW song
The old houses which surrounded the place, with
their quaint step gables carved thinkers, and
deep-set easements seemed 20 have fallen asleep In
the sunshine. dreaming perhaps of the days when
Bruges one OF the centres OF the worlds COM
merce; when her naughty burghers lived IKE
princes and the ministers or twenty nations resided
within her walls.
One of the largest and most picturesque of the an
cient tenements-formeriy the Gulid-nouse OF a
wealthy eorporation-was occupied by Nj. Nchoas
Vanderhaven who, after a busy and prosperous lie
as a merchant at Antwerp. had retired to spend the
evening of his days in his native city.
On the first floor. looking out on the Market-piace
was q spacious apartment which had been the BAN
quet chamber of the Guild and was now used as
studio by NJ. Vanderhavens grandson. NO ARTIST
could have desired more harmonious surroundings
The room. though unfinished. was picture III IL
SELF with ITS painted eeRg w5 cSDneV
piece. and the sxteenth-century tapestry that huis
before the door.
ing was BeInharut Nanderhaven, handsome
dark-eyed yOung fellow, with mustache and short
pointed beard, dressed, with certain anectatloh OF
carelessness. in a quaintly-cut velvet blouse anu
lie had drawn his easel close to the window TO
catch the failing light, and was painting nous
trously putting at his cigarette meantime ana only
pausng now and then to cast "a half-reproachfui
glance at the darkening sky. .,..,. ..-;.1
At length he drew back, looking Mt ms Work WIN
critical frown. Gradually his brow relaxed anu
"a smile stole to his lips. ~,
Yes it is like her he muttered; very like
just that wistful look in the eyes and the tenders
trustful smile know SO we'll My sweet Annette
The painting was a half-length portrait Oh
young girl In the richly picturesque costume OF
noble Flemish lady of the seventeenth century; a
girl with delicate. oval face. only falnty unte,
with rose-co or; sweet smiling Ups anu s9i.eso
hazel eyes, which had dreamy. Out-lookIhg e4Io
that gave a touch of spirituality 10 ner Oea9Iy.
The young studied every line OF the SWEEP race
AZ if ne had seen II before. 80 ABSORBED was
he that he did not hear the opening OF the door ana
started when a familiar voice behind MN sdu'
drily: / fear am nterrupting you, Bernhardt'
oil aona QgaIn w
'You caught me dawdlmg for once, grandfather
the young man answered. turning TOW aIuS IAS IL
truder with pleasant smile; out nave De9h
working furlously al day, and my picture Is nearly
finished ..,A
even CHANGING at the canvas the nVruder TOOK MS
seat on the only chair the room contained uhceree
moniOusly sweeping on TO the noOI neap VI
drapery which encountered it.
Monsieur Nicholas Vanderhaven was a handsome
vigorous man OF seventy, with Few signs OF age
about him, save his siveIed hair and the thlck;
white brows beneath which his keen eyes ghttered
like fire under snow His chin was square ana
firm and his eloscly-shut mouth would nave been
terribly grim but for some lines about the corners
which showed CLEAN of hunOI ana hlndIlIess
His face was "a pretty fair index TO hIs character
shrewd, hard. but not unkindIy, ana capaoIe Oh
occasion of generous impulses
L am glad TO hea, it, he repeated. There mas
been enough and rather too much, OF dreaming ana
daubing: II Is time you began lue LII earnest
Bernhardt raised his brows.
i thought had begun it in very serious earnest
he returned, with a half smile, standing with one
on mis- knee. l have worked hard enough lately 10
satisfy even YOU, Monsieur.
Worked hUmph. weil-if vou call thaI WORK:
But who is the better for it What comes OF 1t all
Nothing yet perhaps. but fame and iotrune VIII
come OF il some dav-at least, hope so, added
BeruhaTdt and that hope Is my EuIulhs stdI'
a l-0'-the-wisp that viii lead you INTO
swamp was the encouraging comment H.
The young man laughed and tossed BACK MS
Come. grandfather. how can you tell what my
chances are ? he said gOOd-humoredlY; you never
even glance at my pictures. should DC si"u II ou
wonld for YOU are an excellent Judge OF painting
though you have such contempt for artists. ,
Artists who are worthy me A l ma : IlS i
deliberately ! only desplse tn lse snailOW pre-
tenders who make art an excuse for idIeness and
atfectation: for wearing abnormal coats anu
Iear,Is > his listener WINGED sighted leading
ABNORMAL lives and being altogether cnarteIeu 's
Bohemians. However. enough Oh that' ~ oOu-
tinued. i want 10 nave AV'-e So'40~' "' '
you
The Young artist gave q resigned sort OF shrue
and perching himself on his painting -stool' pre-
%. Won will be twenty-one on the first of next
MONTH his grandfather began. You have not for
gotten our agreement v 1910 En- loo,-a
me free 10 follow my own devices till was OF age,
then was to choose between art and commerce; 10
decide whether l would 60 on with my painting, oi
ION NV cousin in the house at Antwerp, OF which
you are still the nominal mead.
Exactly Well 2 ,.,,o.o,,
mo She has called and must follow whether sire
.iaD. roe or not l am sorry TO dlsappolnt you,
grandfatheI knowhng you n+ nat I is npossbe.
should never be man OF business ani painter
or nothing ;or,. tooo 90 no
listened and the lines about his mouth had nOtmhg
humorous nov, but ne replied quietly enough. o,,
Very good. You are prepared 10 sahe '"e 'On-
senuenceg of your decision, presume
.tThe consequent es l am prepared 10 woik uaIu
and bide my time, if that is what yon mean, o--,
Not 0uife Are you prepared TO earn yoIn oWn
l;vinoY Win your brush find you TODD TO eat
clothes TO wear, and roof to cover you % sell
'Well-not yet. perhaps h''Nen 'iio" "
" after a time. when fame and fortune nave 1ouhd
von-ust So Meanwhile, you see, hKe many az ~
other genius" before you you scahe oH"N'' -
Bernhadt Stared at him in astonisbmenu and
dismay.
i don't understand he began; you do not
do not mean to keep you here in luxury and
idleuess when you have set my Wlsnes - " t ,,
upset ny plans, and 1Tuslra'ou 'Ne '''D
NY What was that p his grandson INTERRUPTED.
To leave the old firm as found II, houIlshlhg
- tbc aid name. that has been transmitted
stainless from father 10 son Ior 10 u Vocr
since the time OF our founder; nInlVn M ~
haven, And he glanced at an oil POI tIaIu - 'to
I;,Ie,, niece which seemed to look back al lin
with sympathy ana appiovaI; po-rbardt hogan.
P.S "5 onsin * an excellent manager. and Keen
49,, IF business. some what too keen, ptlEaps-1uL
$e is rot a Vanderhaven had nopeu tnav 0,a
80 would nave been my successor lux ne isEOns
cS ,ara me You Will be The last o. Inc oiu
stock ,l;-l, - bis
Betuhardt was silent noment looking az ms
grandfather with comPuncton ana Ioglts II lid
la. r1ow YOU feit it deeply; Believe ias. ain
sreved 10 disapDoint you but the iS seDI
Eit rather III YOU disobey mt, was the DO 40
seli, reioinder But do not accept your deci,
sion as final added NJ yanderhayen as ne Losf
give 70 tRe end q the To the door % and held
oerhil'.t tr, ionking wstully into his face. r.
Would easy to decide SSt there Raf Ohg
TO think Of he muttered o"s Who has right to be
considered - shor, nm the thrcs-
The old gentleman stopped saEls Oh And Who
hold 'A-ahr lac said inteIIosasNeiS'
is Annette" il YOU please J 10 s,o,,nored