Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-07-28
chamber to the parlor. She saw a good

chamber to the parlOr. She saw good
looking young man-whose garments,
though coarse and appropriate, were
nevertheless becoming, and whose face
showed unmistakable signs of cultiva-
ton and intelligence. In practicing her
piano lesson that morning she took
more than usual pains. She was not
embarrassed, as she would have been if
70 stgentleman were within hearing ;
but she could not help desiring mascu-
line admiration, if only from g nobody
but the painter" Afterward she heard
him singing, with excellent musical
taste, all the operate morceaux she
had been practicing, and marveled to
find mechanic with such q knowledge
of the OPERA eRepassing from the par
lor to the dining room, she took a closer
survey of the man, and saw that he had
too much in his face to be taken in at a
glance. 1T vexed her that she should be
interested in a "common workman. :"
He had no right to interest her, and she
did not seem to attract the slightest no.
tice on his part.
s'Our house painter is handsome and
sings operate airs,'' said she to her
mother at dinner.
what business have you to know
whether he is handsome or not?''
GA house-painter is man, and shall
marry man some day, ma mere!" 8
Thereupon ensued terrible quarrel.
The painter was rather slow He was
not the most skillful workman ever
known, and the job lasted good while.
Mrs. Bland took occasion to remark
upon his laziness, and Flora found her
self defending him. He read while eat
ing his dinner, which meal he brought
with him in dinner-pail, and once,
when he left his book by accident over
night, she examined it. 1t was q volume
of Goethe's poems, in German, and on
fly-leaf was brief inscription: /" Hal
Rivers, from his friend and gossip, Paul
Ryder"
"Paul Ryder, the poet and author?"
wondered Flora; "our painter has had
lofty friends" -iss-.
+ If any young lady among my readers
has been brought up so aristocratically
that she has never found any society she
could mingle with, she may be able to
comprehend Flora BANDS situation.
Here was a person of evident refinement
and education, who had undoubtedly en-
joyed better advantages than her own,
at some past era; but whose present po-
sition was such as to place an apparent
gulf between them. The rOmances she
wrought in conjecturing the circum-
stances would have made a volume of
excellent reading; and her interest
deepened the more she tried to sup
press it. By the end of a week, she was
astonished and frightened at the persist
ency with which this we'll built, bright
faced young fellow, with his almost
jaunty air and expressive voice, haunted
her Imagination.
As she came up behind him one day,
unnoticed, she caught him singing unus-
ually well. He stopped when he saw
her, and seemed just the least bit en-
barrassed.
"You are fond of music, friend,'' she
said, boldly.
"Extravagantly."
"And you know some good songs?"
ssI have heard good music"
" Are you familiar with the opera?"
"So-so. 1t is some time, now, since
have heard any professional singing"
"Do you like your trade?"
An odd smile came over his face.
"Yes-it gives me bread and butter.''
"You think me impertinent."
"No. One has right to question
ones workmen."
"And especially in your case.''
"Why so?''
"Because you are unlike the work.
men have seen hitherto. The carpen-
tiers who made this new woodwork did
not sing opera music, nor read Ger
man."
"You find me singular, then?''
eyes" ...s5jl.
"And 1 find you So You are the first
person whom have met, since I-since
I adopted this trade, who has recalled
my life heretofore
~ 6 Then you have not been painter
longP'' htt
ssAbout two months"
eff ask what you were before that,
Would it De impertinent?"
"Rather; but will tell you. 1 was a
fool!"
"Well, you had plenty of company.
The kind is common"
"You are cynical.' ....4-
At this point Mrs. BANDS step was
heard approaching, and Flora termi-
mated the conversation by going into the
parlor. Curiously enough, she could
not get through her piano exercise half
80 well as usual. The knowledge that
the painter was listening confused her
now--she felt, somehow, as if a work
man might be a gentleman, after all.
"A few nights later the widow sur
prised her daughter standing on the
rear piazza with the house-painter chat
ting Familiarity, and admiring the SUM-
set. The blow nearly killed her.
1t is strange that prejudice should be
such tremendous power as it is. Phi
losophy teaches that "Man is a reason
ing being" but is there any other crea-
ture in the whole animal kingdom that
likes and dislikes, admires and despises
with SO little reason as manP The
hatreds that exist everywhere between
classes-between sects, trades, fami-
lies, schools, temperaments, nations,
etc., are as inexplicable as they are
'humilfating. Whence are they derived?
OF what use are they? Why are they
perpetuated? If waited for rational
answer, I should have written my last
word, for these questions admit only of
tho anSyver Of rroiudioo- ssRooausof1S