The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-03-12
THE WOOD CHOPPER.

You are really too bad, Horace" ]" ana
a touch of the whip TO Whitefoot's sides
emphasized Godfrey Howells impatient
exclamation.
His companion started from his rever
les, and with good-natured laugh
asked, "Why 2"
"Why2 Have we not been riding
side by side for nearly three hours, and
have you not been mute as a fish all the
time 2 I've suggested opera, the weather,
the state of the nation, and various other
original topics in vain; even slightly
disparaging remark upon the fair
Clemmie's beauty only called forth a
lazy Do you think so p"
"Why should be Miss Ryans de-
fender ~
"You admired her last winter"
"Oh, yes, as lately as this spring; but
an accident revealed to me so hollow and
heartless a nature beneath her fair face,
that felt my admiration die instantly.
Oh! Godfrey, are there any real and true
women left ~
"Sweet, innocent creatures! composed
of all the domestic virtues bound in
shilling calicol Pray, were you dream
ing of such one in your long reverio Z"
"No; was thinking"
$50 imagined Come, out with 1t I;
am quite curious to hear what formed
the subject of your thoughts"
81 must go back little to make you
quite understand why they were so en-
crossing. You may have Leard that my
uncle, who adopted me when | lost my
parents, was an eccentric, indeed-some
said-almost a crazy man. And he GER
tainly had very peculiar notions. Among
these was a fixed aversion TO authors. ac-
tors, painters, sculptors, and-l am quot
ing his words other gentlemen vaga-
bonds. You may, then, imagine his
fury when | declared my intention of be-
coming an artist Every threat in the
English language, every sort of abuse
was poured out upon my devoted head
to trv and move me; but Il felt that a
higher power had placed the longing in
my soul for my happiness, and | was
resolute. Then entreaties harder to resist
than the threats, were tried; but my own
convictions of the true aim of my life
were not to be shaken. l had my little
inheritance from my mother, and,
bv care. | could make that
cover the expenses of my education,
So the threat to disinherit me was power
less like all the rest, and | sailed for
Italy, firmly determined TO return an
artist. There had been a strong love be-
tween my uncle and myself, l honored
his good qualities, and was willing, for
their sake, to humor his whims; and
was the only child of his only sister,
whom he loved devotedly. So when l
returned he sent for me, and in his own
queer way made bargain With me- II
will paint him one good picture, get
it admitted to the academy, draw the
prize, and sell it for enough oprove that
my art will not beggar me, he will for
give me all my obstinacy and take me
home again.
"Well, where is the difficulty9 You
have painted pictures worthy of place
in the academy, and, if | mistake not,
sold them too"
"They were all either portraits or his
torical subjects. For this, my greatest
effort. | want something new, something
original. Historical subjects are so hack
ncyed, and don't want 20 be represented
in the catalogue by Portrait of lady
was thinking over, for the hundredtl
time, all the subjects that have yet sug
gested themselves, when you spoke t.
me-
"Lookr' cried Godfrey, refining hi
horse and pointing forward with the
whip; 'there is a subject"
Through the broken gateway, whicl
led from the road to a cottage, Horace
saw his picture. The background wa
the stone-wall of the house, and the sur
roundings were a pile of wood, gate
and the soft green grass. Kneeling upoT
the largest log, with both chubby hands
to raise the heavy ak, was a child, who's
white, polished limbs and lovely fac
were fair enough to rouse any soul to ad
miration. The dark blue dress of wool
len fabric was scant enough to leave tn
dimpled shoulders and arms bare, an'
the plump, white foot had neither sho
nor stocking to hide its splendid beauty