The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-11-14
INTERESTING SKETCH.
ELIZABETH'S LESSONS.


Miss Elizabeth Hill was still a pretty lit
tie woman, with nice hair and a tidy little
figure, when her father died. One after the
other her elder sisters had married and left
home; and Lizzie kept house for her wild
owed father, and forgot the lapse of time.
The two old servants considered her a mere
child, and she was always the youngest at
the rare family reunions. Her father had
advised, praised and scolded her as though
she had beer in her teens to the last.
He was SO old when he went quietly to
sleep for the last time that people had
thought Elizabeth would be prepared for
her loss 5" but she was not; and after the
6rst great grief, and the shock of leaving
the old home, when the property was divid
ed, and the house sold, she found thai
another change had befallen her. She was
no longer Miss Lizzie, the youngest daugh-
ter still at home, but middle-aged spinstei
IN caravansary of great boarding house.
Often when she had hurried up stairs
and shut the door of her room she had
thought to herself that she could not en-.
dure this condition of things much longer !;
but, after all, she dreaded to make o
change.
She was exactly in the condition to iumr
at anything which offered occupation and
interest, when the postman one day brought
her circular, gilt-edged and rose-tinted.
bearing these words
Mr.. Buckle respectfully desires to make
known to the public the fact that he is
about to reopen his classes in water-color
painting, English school, next Monday.
Terms most reasonable. Early application
desirable, as the number of pupils will be
limited. Studio, No.-,----- street."
1t was an acknowledging card, and as
Miss Elizabeth read it an idea came into
her mind. Why should she not take les
sons in water-color painting?
She would enjoy the work. She could
afford it. 1t would pass the time. She
could, perhaps, sketch from nature next
summer.
little thrill ran through her ct this
thought. She got her bonnet and mantilla,
her parasol and her gloves, and, taking the
card with her, hurried to make application
for place in the class before it was too
late, for it was now Saturday afternoon.
She found the number easily. A large
building with many rooms, and at the very
top of the house, four engrayers, lady
designer on wood,n and Mr.. Buckles
name on neat door-plate Miss Elizabeth.
quite breathless by this time, applied her
knuckles to the panels, and after a little de-
lay and some crealxing of boots on a bare
hoor, the door opened and middle-aged
gentleman, with few gray hairs in his
whiskers and bald spot on his head, APP
peared, with palette on his thumb and
brush in his hand, and bowling politely, re.
4uested the lady to enter
g Mr.. Buckle ?" Elizabeth asked, with ar
nterogatiye infection.
The gentleman bowed again.
received your card,n said Miss Eliza
beth. " think should like to join you
class, if it is not full"
" 1t is not full as yet, madam replied
MIR. Buckle, and | should be delighted te
.ocei'e you US u pupil.
He opened portfolio as he spoke.
My work" he said "perhaps you'd
like to look at it."
The portfolio was full of sketches in
water color of English scenes, cottages,
lanes, old women gathering faggots, ladies
walking in old parks
They were not great, but they were yer,
good. Miss Elizabeth was delighted.
g How kind of you TO take class" she
said, beaming. Such an artist as you
are."
Mr.. Buckle bowed again. He evidently
preferred bowling to speaking.
"Pm sure I've seen your pictures in the
Academy" she said, and admired them"
Mr. Buckle blushed violently and bowed
again.
" How modest !" thought Miss Elizabeth,
She inquired his terms. They were very
reasonable. Ten dollars quarter in ad.
vance. She paid it on the spot received a
little list of necessary paper, color, etc..
and went away, bowed out and down stairs
by Mr.. Buckle.
Sunday passed slowly, despite its three
episodes of church-going, she awaited her
first lesson with such impotence.
AT last the hour came. She climbed the
stairs again, and entered the door of the
room on which the name of Buckle appear.
cd. A long pine table and six cane-bottom-
ed chairs, an easel, and some canvasses and
fol, ~.
American hammock was twisted into coil,
and hung over some pegs. A blanket
portiere hung on a rod within the door.
But there was no one there but Mr. Buckle.
g Am 1 too early?' Elizabeth asked.
glancing at her watch. 81 see I am the
first"
oh, no, indeed" replied Mr.. Buckle.
1t is the other pupils who are too late.
We won't wait for them"
He began his lesson at once, and Miss
Elizabeth was absorbed in her work. Ar
hour passed-two. The lesson was over
No pupils had arrived.
Ladies are seldom as prompt as you
are" said Mr.. Buckle "Any time will do
to begin; any time. They delay. They
procrastinate. It's pity"
1t is surprising to me that they are not
more anxious to avail themselves of such
advantages" said Miss Elizabeth, hardly
able to tear herself away from the contein.
plation of the blue sky, with white clouds,
that had grown under her brush. have
had delightful lesson"
Again she waited with Impotence. Again
she climbed up the long stairs. Again there
were no other pupils present. Again none
arrived. But this time brown roof grew
under her brush, and gray branches lay
against the sky. The trunk of tree was
indicated, and the figure of child was
carefully sketched amongst the blossoms
yet only outlined in the foreground. Miss
Elizabeth trembled with pride and happi-
ness.
g You must find me very stupid" she
said. +" But don't you think can learn If
apply myself ?"
81 am sure you will do WE'LL" said Mr..