Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-28

will be that which is not suenched, and
where the worm aieth not"
With these words, which Friend Har.
ris spoke slowly and with that slight
chanting intonstion which characterizes
the utterances OF the speakers in meet
ing. the solemnity of which was farther
increased by the use of the formal thou
instead of the usual thee" he put the
picture in the fire.
Father said Richard in low and
even tone. II repea, what have often
told thee; have no light that there is
evil in painting; bu, as thee thinks there
is. shall bid thee snd mother farewell
TO day. and seek employment elsewhere.
I shall not ask thee for any share in thy
estate"
( Taking his hat from the window sill,
he passed out of the kitchen door. leaving
! his father specifies with amazenent At
this rebe.lious utterance. and his mother
"A poor weak woman. constantly in
misery between carrying out the severe
rule Of her husband whom she feared,
and yielding TO the tenderness o. her boy
whom she loved-wiping her tears with
out emitting any sound. either word or
sob. As for his two sisters. they sat de-
mure and mo;ionlcss through the whole
scene. Mt hear; rather pleased ut it, rs
they had no sympathy with their
brothers taste for forbidden arts. and
thought him queer. was,eful, uneom-
Portable member OF the household.
Moreover. though younger than lie, they
were not too young 10 see at once the
pecuniary advantage 10 them o! his re-
uunciaiion Of his share OF the estate.
Richard went toward the barn and
took seat in n nook OF the corn. fodder
stack that was huiit along the side of the
barnyard. He did not feel the cold. raw
air Of the early morning. His mind was
too fall Of the step he was about 10 take
and what bad led up 10 it. Now or
never he must quit the farm, renounce
the teaching OF tue Society. throw aside
I the coat with the standing collar and
the quaint broad-brismed black hat.
give Up the plain language. rrjec, he
counsels OF the venerable iacers oi meet
ing who would surely be appointed 10
visit him. aud prove recreant IL tie
revered precep,s Of Fox and Barclay.
All this was meant 10y pursuit OF his
strong bias for art.
Going back 10 IL, earliest memory lac
could recall that when tour yeas old he
Was eft for "a few hours ~ the house o.
Mike Wallis. an Irish tenant in neigh
boring iArm. aud that Mikes wife had
kept him in the utmost bliss by showing
him a co.ored print oi the Virgin and
the Infant. and telling him the pathetic
history ~ il had pictured Itself ia her
warm Irish heart But what was the
horror vi the parents next day when be
toddied into the room when they were
4, dinner and called:
"Mudder. mudder. come see God"
His parents ran To the door 10 see Whist
this strange appeal meant, and 10! lhere,
on the door Of the front porch. chalked
in rude but faithful outlines, were the
Child. with rays Of glory around his
head. and the Mother. by his side. hold
ing cross. lie could still recall the
soowl that came over his father face,
and his mothers impetuous rush for a
buckle; of water and scrubbins- rush.
Nor had he forgotten the violent shake
and im mediate spanking he himself re-
ceived for his artistic endeavor.
His memory leapt till he was boy OF
ten. and 10 his intense delight at effect
ing trade of a Barlow knife for Il box
of paints. Many an hour OF Joy had
they given him. hiding himself in the
garnet Of the old house. in the back part
Of tie haymow near the dusty gable
window. or in little hut he had
built in TIE woods. But his pryirg it,
tie sister betrayed him one day. and not
only was his treasure conhscated, but
he himself was tied 10 the hedstead by
his mother and given such whipping
as would have discouraged most youth
iul artists.
Later in life. when he was too old for
,,,l ,-;,,,o,o ,,a,surcs many lectures
lad he received on the irivolity OF such
tastes and the wiekedness OF minls,erins
~ them.
THESE scenes passing through his
memory convinced him that it was vain
10 battle with such inhexible rules. and
that 10 be free he must leave the farm
and ali lis associations
There was bpt one which had really
he'd him. This was Sibbilla Vernon
The ushter of gid parents. her mother
even a public friend" whose voice
AT monthly and quarterly meetings was
/ familiar TO al members OF the Society
/ Sibbilla was not unusual type OF the
advanced thought of her sect.
Though devoid OF any passion for ART
herself, Sibbilla understood and ie'
spec,ed the forbidden tastes OF her lover
She looked upon his peculiar abilities
rs gifts of God for use in life. and sh'
quietly but firmly put aside the tradi'
,ions of her sect. which condemn then
indiscriminssely.
Leaviugtse fodder-staef. Richard walk
ed scross the bare field toward the plair
brick house which was Sibbilla's home
His mind was made up. He would q
20 New York and devote himself to TIT
study of ar. He had saved since hi