Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-10-07
THE WEDDING MAROH


An rtist's story.
mo. 329-A Wedding March" Such was
the number and name of picture in the
academy of certain year which shall, for
polite and personal reasons, be left undes-
ignated. The picture was one of my paint
ing aud l, Reginald Tracey, had been fortu
nate enough to attain three very important
ends by its production. Firstly, il was deem
ed excellent enough by the hanging commit.
tee to be placed on the line, and it faced you
in very prominent manner as you entered
Room No V. Secondly, this prominent po-
sltion secured for my picture a large share of
attention, which resulted in its finding a pur-
chaser almost as soon as the exhibition doors
opened. But thirdly, it served the actual
purpose for which painted it, and which led
me to choose my subject. That purpose in
volved just the least bit of romance and al
though the clever critics praised the picture
and even limited that "Mr. Tracey had been
singularly fortunate in his treatment of
somewhat unusual and difficult theme" ETC.,
not one of them SO much as guessed that it
was picture with purpose. As the sequel
may serve to show, that purpose sprang from
and ended in what l am pleased to call my
little romance.
1t was a charming day, that on which
went to Rockhampton to sketch the water
meadows, and to see my old friend DIR. James
Brooke-Jim, l generally called him-who
had settled as a pract TONER in that town.
The whole place was stepped in sunlight
and the deep shadows cast by the old houses
in narrow streets by the water-side reminded
one of nothing so much as the blackness of
the shades in some old Dutch town, where
Rembrandt must have learned the special art
that bears the impress Of his genius to-day.
The old church of Northampton is a fine bit
OF Norman architecture. Rising architects
declare that there are no purer pillars Of that
style, nor better preserved arches, with their
queer faces squeezed into the corners there
of, which seem to impress the Rockhampton
juveniles on Sundays quito as much as the
service. Passing through the churchyard, /
found myself at last at the church. With lit
tie hope of finding the door open lifted the
latch, when at once 1t yielded to my touch.
As passed within the green baize doors with
in the porch, heard the sound Of the organ
so, stealing quietly into the grateful shade
and coolness of the church, ensconced N.Y.
self in the biggest pew could find. and lis
tened. How soothing was the effect OF the
music and surroundings on that glorious day!
could not see the player, who was conceal.
ed by the curtains in front of the organ.lof
but intuitively guessed it was a lady who
played. imagined that only a woman's del.
icate touch could have made that ''Kyrie"
speak in those tones and there was more
gentleness than power in the "Stabat Mater"
into which the player glided Then l re-
member the wedding March" succeeded
and after half an hours private hearing of
the masters, quietly slipped out of church,
once again into the bright sunlight that play
ed around the grave stones, and made the
world so fair to see
After lunching at my hotel, the Red Lion,
| went to see DIR. jim. 1t appeared that the
fair player of the church was a Miss Spaldipg.
the only daughter of well.to-do and re-
tired merchant who had settled at Rockhamp-
ton about Is months before and Jim, / found,
had been paying his addresses to the young
lady. Her father had married for the second
time and had thus given Miss Spalding step
mother. The old gentleman, as Jim called
him, was an easy-going man, kind hearted in
every way, generous TO fault, and looked
kindly enough on DR.. Jinis suit. But as to
Mrs Spalding, Jim pronounced a decidedly
unfavorable opinion. She was an ambitious
and, as he expressed it, seheming woman,
who thought that Nelly should look some
what higher than DR.. Brooke of Rockhamp-
ton-and that she should at least marry mon
ey-with which latter commodity Jim was, as
young doctor, of course by no means over
burdened. Without actually discouraging
Jim's attentions, Mrs. Spalding made things
decidedly unpleasant for the lovers. Mr..
Spalding, good, easy man, was completely
under the dominion of his wife. Hence, Jim
confessed he was in a somewhat unsettled
state of mind.
"You see, Regy," said Jim, ''Nelly will not
disobey her parents in any way That she
cares for me she has confessed to me more
than once. But when press her to consent
to be married at once, and to make me happy,
she wont hear of it,"
MY dear Jim," responded, in my new
found capacity of guide, counsellor and friend,
'she is not the first girl who has had TO strug-
gle between love and duty or at least what
she conceives to be her duty"
"She is so thoroughly conscientious" re-
piled Jim, that fear even to press her to
take the step which would make me u happy
man for life. When l ask her in my despair
whether she will ever choose between her
step-mother's wishes and my love, she inn
plores me not to tempt her, and So" added
Jim, "here am miserable as need be-"
All this interested me exceedingly. She
was evidently girl of sterling worth, with
high sense of the duty she believed she owed
to her parents wishes. thought over Mas
ter Jim's love affair as lay in bed that night,
and came to the conclusion that the case was
difficult one. / confessed as | rolled over
to sleep that did not see my way clear to
help them. Little did think that the morn
ing WAS to bring the means and the man.
The man was Josiah Blagden, Esquire, iron
founder, of the firm of Blagden, Bilge d Co.,
of Birmingham and elsewhere, the means
was-my humble self.
The day after my arrival at Northampton
Jim proposed that should drive with him
on his morning round, and added he Wen
call at Mount Grove on our way home"
Mount Grove was the residence of Mr.. Spald-
ing, and o'clock found us at the gate of q
very nice villa residence overlooking the riv-
er, and standing within its own nicely-kept
grounds
We were ushered into the drawing-room,
where we found assembled certain persons
whom Jim had not expected to see. Mr..
Spalding received me courteously, as also
did Mrs. Spalding. Miss Nelly greeted me
most cordially, adding that she was much
pleased to make tine acquaintance of DIR.
Brooke's old friend, of whom he had SO
often spoken. In addition to the family cir
Gle of three, it was clear there were strangers
present These latter were Mr.. Josiah Blag-
den and his sister. Mr.. Blagden did not inn
press me favorably. He was a stout, forid-
complexioned man, remarkable for the ex-
treme breadth of his white waistcoat and for