Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-05-16
An Ideal Mary.

~ NhNNAA1A oNi RhAOS 'OA WV OAANN ~
year, forsooth,' thought Pierce Elgin,
with a feeling almost OF self-contempt,
as he stood on the steps Of the custom
house at N. He had Just received
notice that a change in the admins
tratlon would necessiiate change in
the officers OF the custom.house, and
ElgIn's appointment not meeting the
approval of the lew President his was
the first head that fell under the po-
litical gulllotine.
'Ah, Anne, fear you made mis-
take when you chose the poor artist in
preference 10 the wealthy and lnfuen-
tial lawyer. Art and politics do not
agree sighed the gentleman to him
self as he descended The broad steps
leading 10 the street. 1t was clear
October evening, and he decided to
walk 10 the home 10 the suburbs. AS
be tboughtfully proceeded on his way,
thinking OF his wife, the little romance
OF bis love and marriage passed through
bis mind like the shifting scenes in a
thester. Four years ago he had met
Anne Horst shortly after his return
from Europe whittier he had gone at
the urgent invitation of an uncle living
abroad, who wished him to cultivate
his talent for painting. For this pur-
pose be had attended the art scool at
Munich and spent year in Italy at the
expense of bis generous relatiye. He
returned TO America with fine creden-
tials and lofty ideals. But he did not
find the public as responsive as he had
hoped, nor bis colleagues as cordial,
since bis ideas Of art and theirs were
divergent. For a time it seemed
doubtful whether be would ever pene-
trate beyond the limits of the academy
where he was employed as !drawing
teacher. However, few well eIecu'
ted portraits soon brought him money
and a reputation, and shortly after a
6rsi-class periodical employed him to
illustrate its pages so that bis beginning
was an auspicious Zone. But he had
dreams and ambitions which were not
satisfied with commonplace success.
He began a painting which he hoped
would bring him lasting fame. And it
was to Anne Horst that he had con-
6Ged bis hopes and dreams. He had
90 other relatives besides the uncle be-
fore mentioned, and in Anne he found
| what he needed, an intelligent coun'
| selor. and a sympathetic friend. She
was 80 sensible, SO appreciatiye anc
possessed such correct taste that, al
though she was unable 10 draw a line,
| it seemed TO Elgin as If he were talk
| ing to brother artist. She was only
a village school teacher, living with
her widowed mother: had enjoyed no
great educational advantages, but with
the knowledge of French and German,
and her wonderful musical gifts, she
really seemed cosmopolitan to Elgin
How distinctly he recalled their first
meeting ! 1t was the happy summer
when he had taken it into his head 10
90 fishing, and chose Lake Erie. The
little village Of Westwood, with iii
groves stretching down to the waters
edge. offered all the facilities for 6
| pleasant summer vacation, and Elgin
conera lulated himself on his good for
Ilune in discovering 1t. The next
| morning after his arrival he determined
to make a sketch of the vicinity for th'
Eastern magazine, and. taking a boat,
RON cd across the West Fork Run Il
oct better view of the town. Arnv
ling on the opposite side he moored The
boat. AID gathering up his portfolio
nroceede0 along foot path that LEI
him up rather steep bank to dens
iyrove. On entering it he perceived th'
figure of young lady ia the seadow o
Isome trees. He passed her with
polite greeting, to which she answered
with a gradual bend Of her head. !Aite
ltrylng several points from which u
make bis sketch be retraced his steps,
and found that the best view was iron
the spot where the yonng lady was idly
sitting. She looked up at his approach
and he addressed her with a depreca
tory smile.
Pardon my intrusion, madam; bu
this seems to be the best point iron
which TO get view Ofthe town and
!harbor. win you allow me TO sit here
and sketch p
Certainly was the pleasant an
swer, and If il does not take too long
may possibly have the pleasure OF see
ing your sketch ID"
If, you. will promise not toilet MI
} disturb you.in the least was the reply
: : i can readily promise that, as l al
q ntting here perfectly idle,' snswere
e abe composedly, and then he began I
lsketch rapidly, however iurtivels glanc
ing at his quiet companion from time