The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-04-11
AN IDEAL MARY.

"a cheerful surprise for the birdie of
a year, forsooth, " thought Pierce EIgin,
with feeling almost of self-contempt as
he stood on the steps of the Custom
house at N. He had Just received
notice that change in the Administers
ton would necessitate a change in the
officers of the Custom house, and Elgin's
| appointment not receiving the approval
of the President, his was the first head
that fell under the political guillotine.
"Ah, Annie, / fear you made mis-
take when you chose the poor artist in
preference to the wealthy and inhuen
tial lawyer. Art and politics do not
agree" sighed the gentleman to himself
as he descended the broad steps leading
to the street. 1t was a clear October
evening, and he decided to walk to his
home in the suburbs As he thought
fully proceeded on his way, thinking of
his wife, the little romance of his love
and marriage passed through his mind
like the shifting scenes in theater.
Four years ago he had met Annie
Horst shortly after his return from Eu-
rope, whittier he had gone at the urgent
invitation of an uncle living abroad, who
wished him to cultivate his talent for
painting. For this purpose he had at
tended the art school at Munich and
spent year in. Italy at the expense of
his generous relative.
He returned to America with fine Gre
dentials and lofty ideals But he did
not lind the public as responsive as he
had hoped, nor his colleagues as cordial
since his ideas of art and theirs were d.
vergent For a time it seemed doubtful
whether he would ever penetrate beyond
the limits of the academy where he was
employed as drawing teacher. However.
a few well-executed portraits soon
brought him money and reputation.
and shortly after q first-class periodical
employed him to illustrate its pages, SO
that his beginning was an aaspicious
one. But he had dreams and ambitions
which were not satisfied with common
place success. He began a painting
which he hoped would bring him lasting
fame. And it was to Annie Horst that
he coniided his hopes and dreams He
had no other relatives besides the uncle
before mentioned, and in Anne he found
what he needed an intelligent counselor
and a sympathetic friend She was SO
sensible, so appreciative, and possessed
such correct taste that, although she was
unable to draw line, it seemed to Elgin
as If he were talking to II brother artist
She was only village school teacher
living with her widowed mother: had
enjoyed no great educational advan-
tages, but with the knowledge of French
and German, and her wonderful musical
gifts, she really seemed cosmopolitan to
Elgin. How distinctly he recalled their
flrst meeting! 1t was the happy Sum
mer when he had taken it into his head
to go fishing, and chose Lake Eric. The
little village of Westwood, with its
groves stretching down to the waters
edge, offered all the facilities for pleas
ant Summer vacation, and Elgin congrat-
ulated himself on his good fortune in
discovering it. The next morning after
his arrival he determined to make
sketch of the vicinity for the Eastern
magazine, and taking a boat, rowed
across the West Fork Run to get n bet
ter view of the town. Arriving on the
opposite side he moored the boat and
gathering up his portfolio, proceeded
"ioiiS loOtpdsi Ludt leu MN up rath- |
er steep bank to dense grove. On en-
tering it he perceived the figure of
young lady in the shadow of some trees.
He passed her with polite greeting, to
Which she answered with a graceful
bend Of her head. After trying several
points from which to make his sketch he
retraced his steps, and found that the
best view was from the spot where the
young lady was idly sitting. She looked |
up at his approach, and he addressed her
with deprecatory smile.
Pardon my Intrusion, madam, but
this seems to be the best point from
which to get a view of the town and the
harbor. VIII you allow me to sit here
and sketchT
Certainly" was the pleasant answer.
"and if it does not take too long NAV
possibly have the pleasure of seeing your
sketch
If you will promise not to let me
disturb you in the least, was the reply. I
II can readily promise you that, as
am sitting here perfectly idle answered
she composedly, and then he began to
sketch rapidly, however, furtiyely glanc-