Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-03-20
The lesson was over. No pupils had

do to begin; any time. They delay; they
procrastinate. It's a pity"
1T is surprising to me that they are
not more anxious to avail themselves OF
such advantages" said Elizabeth. hardly
able to tear herself away from the con
temptation of the blue sky, with white
clouds, that had grown under her brush
Il have had delightful lesson"
Again she waited with impatience.
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 the grey branches lay
against the sky.
The trunk of tree was indicated, and
the figure of child was carefully sketch
ed amongst the blossoms, as yet only out
lined in the foreground
Miss Elizabeth trembled with pride and
happiness.
You must find me very stupid" she
said. But don't you think can learn
if 1 apply myself?"
Il am sure you will do WELL" said Mr.
Buckle; more than well. You have tai
ent, madam-decided talent for art"
On her way home Miss Elizabeth
thought with rapture that perhaps day
might come when she should open cat
alogue and see Sunset or 'Reverie,' or
Moonlight Hours, or some such roman
tic title, amongst the list of pictures, fol
lowed by the delightful words. by Miss
Elizabeth Hill"
The thought chased away the scruples
that troubled her as to the prOpriety of
being the only scholar of single gentle
man ;and, then, he was so gentlemanly. He
never quite closed the door. He sat at
the opposite side of the table. He was
decorum itself And such a geniuSl
How foolish of the other members of
that limited class not to avail themselves
of such opportunities The quarter was
over and she was beginning to wonder
whether Mr.. Buckle would trouble him
self to teach class of one for 50 small a
sum. Upon hurrying up stairs to her
lesson, she heard voices within the door,
and paused. Two men were talking.
One was Mr.. Buckle.
IF you can but wait little" she heard
him say.
"Well, have waited, haven't IL" re-
piled the other voice Il know you mean
well; but studios are in request. | can't
let mine for nothing. You have not given
me one cent for two months, Mr.. Buckle"
You see I'm just establishing myself"
said Mr. Buckle; pupils come slowly.
l spent all had in advertising and pay
ing the first month rent and buying such
furniture as I've got. l sleep in that
hammock, and take down the pOrtiere for
blanket; and so far I've got only Cne
pupil. 1t won't do to Starve | live on a
dollar week. Now, where is the
money for rent 2"
| Don't seem to be any," replied the
| landlord; that's why think maybe you'd
better move"
"Ah well, l suppose l must" said Mr.
| Buckle. III just give this lesson and
hang myself, or something here, it
would give the place bad name, you
know, and you've been most kind. Good
morning. Ah, no, don't apologize; it's all
in the way of business" and then large |
man in light overcOat bounced out and |
nearly overset Miss Elizabeth as he ran |
down stairs.
She, for her part, went into the room
all tremlOus with surprise and grief, and |
could hardly utter her usual greeting,
She looked at Mr.. Buckle as he laid out |
the pattern, and tested the shade of the |
color in her palette cups, thinking what
fine, kind, face his was.
She noticed, too, that the braid that |
bound his coat was worn out, and that |
his knees were shiny.
Then he came around the table, and for |
the first thine sat down beside her.
I'm going to give up this studio, Miss
Hill," he said This will be our last les
son. I'll give you the address of an ex-
cellent teacher who has vacancies. He's
little dearer than l am. but ever so much
better"
"Oh, that can't ber' cried Miss Eliza
beth.
"Oh yes, indeed" said Mr. Buckle. I'm,
after all, only an amateur-a sort of I'M
poster. I'm rather good at water colors,
L know, but I'm not professional, unless
teaching you makes me so. l feel like
telling you the whole truth.
81 had little fortune when l came
here, and they told me l could treble it,
Pm sure l couldn't say what | did with
that object, but was told one day that l
had lost it all. I'm not business man,
you know; and then l thought I'd teach
water colOrs; and we'll you've been my
only pupil, you know, so I've got to say
guodby; and-there's something else I'd
like to tell yOu-but you might be offend
ed"
~Oh no." said Miss Elizabeth.
You'll forgive me. Thanks" said Mr..
Buckle well, it is thiS-if | had not
been such poor beggar, I'd have asked
you, if you could like me well enough to
marry Inc. / never met any one so nice
indeed. | never did; and our tastes
are alike, and all that. I'll try not to
think of it more than | can help, but L
felt that l must tell you before we parted
forever"
Miss Elizabeth had put her handker
chief to her eyes, and now was heard to
whisper something.
BEG pardon" said Mr.. Buckle.
1--we got plenty, said Miss Eliza
beth.
PLENTY ?" repeated Mr.. Buckle.
Money! gasped Miss Elizabeth. Plen-
ty for BOTH
You kind little woman" said Mr.. I
Buckle. and took her hand {
The brushes lay neglected, the color
dried on the palette.
They sat thus for long time, then 'if
you really love me-" said Miss Elizabeth,
1T doesn't matter which has the money"
Its awfully sweet of you to feel that |
way" said Mr.. Buckle. only. would it
be right of me, you know? What would
your family say?"
In the mellow twilight that had be-
gun to steal over the empty little room.
Miss EliZabeth's face looked wonderfully
soft and young as she looked up at him; ,
bIt think she scarcely could have done
what she did but for that fancy picture
of himself which he had made for his
landlord. If she were not brave now
she felt he might indeed be found PEN
dent from branch somewhere.
"Heaven knows! Pm of age" she said,
with little laugh; land a family that
has left me alone at boarding house
may say what it pleases."
'It's just the right spirit" said Mr..
buckle. 81 think it very fine. and |