McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-07-31
Yet, though they both tried to look

months and gears, perhaps, in which
they must live apart, scarcely meeting
except by accident, since Miss Stratton
objected to her niece receiving the doc
tors visits at her own house. gfg
1t was about this time that sensa-
ton was created by the arrival of an
artist-no third or fourth rate professor
but q genuine artist, with a mind
and a fame-who, having come
hither for his health, allowed it to be
understood that he would condescend
to the light recreation of painting a
few portraits of the aristocracy; and
the aristocracy, for the most part eager
to secure this proof. of their being
such, FASTENED at once to secure his
services Fsr ~ ~
Among the first to call upon Mr..
BENDER was Miss Siratton.
To be sure, his charges were enor-
nous, quite ruinous, indeed-but then,
as Mrs. Goldsby, the former jewelers.
wife, superciliously remarked, there
was ''the same difference in high and
low art as in real and imitation dia-
monds; if one must have the genuine,
one must expect to pay accordingly;
and everybody knew what Incredible
prices were paid for all paintings now
adays."
And Mrs. Oldborough, who had no
diamonds, out boosted Of her pedigree,
observed that sof course it was neces-
sary for every old family to keep up its
family portrait gallery So she meant
to have her own likeness taken and
hung beside that of her grandfather,
the Judge.
1t required long time for Miss STRAIT
ton to consider in what style she would
have her portrait taken. Finally she
decided upon full-length figure in the
midst of a garden, the figure shaded and
softened by a pink parasol and her
hands full of roses.
This would serve to display her
height and the dignity of her carriage,
and also allow of considerable plctur-
sequences in her dress, with the train
falling gracefully about her.
She gave the artist several sittings.
and being then assured that he could
complete the portrait with the assist
ance of photograph left with him for
the purpose, she waited in pleased an
ticipation of the result.
On the day appointed by Mr.. Blen-
der Miss Stratton repaired to the studio,
and the completed portrait was I'M
yelled before her eyes. @
She surveyed it for some moments in
silence.
sYou don't call this likeness?" she
at length demanded, very abruptly.
San excellent likeness, madam!"
returned Mr.. Blender composedly.
"But-but''- surveying it first from
one side and then another-''it looks
ten years older than it should do. And
it's too thin-and sallow. And the
smile is not at all like me! Pm sure the
corners of my mouth don't turn up like
that! Why, it's positive smirk! No
one would ever imagine that it was in
tended for mel" 4a .4s
81 beg your pardon, madame, but I
have faithfully represented both the
features and expressions, and consider
the colcring unusually good and true to
nature" said Mr.. BENDER, politely but
firmly.
"lt's a perfect fright" said Miss
Stratton.
Mr.. Blender shrugged his shoulders
in deprecating manner, and the lady's
face became very red. +A
ssYou promised me good likeness,
SIR" she said, ssfor which 1 agreed to
pay you twenty pounds!"
Mr.. Blender bowed.
ssI do not consider this likeness at
all. It must be altered!"
$40 alter it would be to destroy the
likeness
"You decline to make any change,
such as l might suggest"
Mr.. Blendvr replied that he was not
accustomed to paint portraits after the
suggestions of the sitter, but according
to his own Judgment; that he allowed
none but perfect ikenesses to 60 forth
from his hand and under his name,
though he made point of adding what
ever softening touches could be judi
ciously introduced. He had done so in
this instance.
Miss Stratton glared at him indig-
nantly. Here was insult added to in
jury.
Gall that I have to say is, that 1 do
not consider the picture likeness, and
must decline to take it," she said, res
olutely.
"Do you mean, madame, that you
decline to pay for it?"
"Certainly, sir! cannot be expected
to throw away twenty pounds on a car
feature suca as this!" she replied, in
dignantly.
Mr.. Blender then proposed to refer
the question Of the likeness to any per-
son whom she might select; and Miss
Stratton Immediately sent across the
street for the grocer and his wife, with
whom she had dealt for score of years.
ssNow, Mr.. Green,'' said she, as soon
as they entered, ''just look at this pic
ture, and tell me if you could ever have
imagined that it was intended for me?"
Mr.. Green smiled with recognizing
smile, but receiving an admonitory
nudge from his wife, looked solemn