Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-02
1ales aud Sketthes.
A MODERN PYGMALIoy.


music. he rayed about all and dabbled IN
each. Fortunately he was not dependent
on any of them for his daily bread. Oh
JOHNNY might have been reduced to very
dry crust. He had q small government
appointment where the pay was pretty
/ good as times go. So he scraped. his VIC
his little verses with gay and careless:
heart.
The summer had come, and Johnny wa
TO have his holiday. He determined u
spend it abroad-not with crowds OF tour
lists, nor in the most beaten tracks. but Il
strike out for himself. He was tired OF be
ing petted Tor patronized. as be called 1t,
by all his acquaintaoces for there wa
something so fresh and youthful abou
Johnny LuptOn that people were led Il
treat him at once in a friendlY-not Il
saw familiar-mapner. This Master John
nv resented His very name was perpet
uaI ANNOYANCE to him. He preferred Il
be called Mr. Lupton. or Lupton, or ever
Jack by intimate friends; but it was M
use-everv one called him Johnny, anc
johnny he was likely ~ be till the end o.
| the chapter.
! So he determined TO assert his persona
! dignity. and to travel alone. After much
consideration, he fixed upon Innspruck a:
his Headquarters, where he could make
excursions into the Tyrol. He directed
his luggage Herr Lupton." in the most
ostentatious manner. and hoped, for few
weeks at least. to get rid Of the sound OF
the obnoxious johnny"
! He was so pleased with Innspruck that
he seemed likely to spend all his holiday
there. The people were very friendly, the
town was picturesque; but 1t was not only
these charms which enthralled Mr.. Lup-
ton. We have said he was very enthusi-
astlc. The fact was, he had seen picture
in the museum which so captivated his
youthful fancy that the romantic young
man was becoming second Pygmalion.
Ii is true he had not painted the picture,
as the Greek sculptor had hewn his statue.
but he was equally in love with an mani
mate object.
The lady of his dreams was dark,
crowned with a diadem Of starry jessa-
mine, and Jewels round her neck. Her
velvet dress hung in heavy folds, and
from her waist hung a dagger in highly
ornamented sheath But the lady did not
look murderous He full red lips were
smiling and her eyes soft as if welcoming
a lover The sky behind her was blue,
like the sky of sunny Italy. and in her
hand she held bunch of orange blossoms.
Her name however, was German. In u
corner OF the picture one read. 'Carlotta,
Grain Won Werdenfels." This was the
lady who kept Johnny Lupton in Inn
spruck.
He had obtained permission to copy in
the museum, and day after day saw him
there, endeavorng to transfer the fair
features to his canvas.
But he was to be driven away sooner
than he expected. One morning as he
was standing in his accustomed place
gazing in rapt admiration. he was reused
from his reverie by slap on the back
yes, an unmistakable, jovial slap on the
back.
He turned round with outraged dignity
in every feature, which turned into con-
sterna,on when he saw the man. 1t was
the greatest bore in the the office John
nv gazed round like hunted animal.
How was he to get awayP
"Ah! Johnny, me bhoy !-deloighted
to see We! I've just been longin' to see a
craythur that could understand the Ian
gwidge. DRAWN picture, too, A fine
strappin' wench Not so good looking as
Philippine Weller, though. Come and
have look at her. now"
I'm tired and sick of Philippine We'll
Ger and everything connected with her,
and so you'll be if you stay here more
then a day. What are your plansP Where
are you going ?"
Och I'm just undecided. I'll be
guided by you
pray, don't think of such a thing?
Pray, don't countupon me? Besides. Pm
going. I'm off today-turning my steps
homeward. you know. In fact. pulling
out his watch-I must be off at once"
"Ye don't say so. now ?"
! Hastily scrambling together his belong
ings, cutting short his friends regrets
with indecent haste. giving one last look
at Carlotta Won Werdenfiels. Mr. Lupton
rushed IRON the museum, his friends STEM
torian voice re -echoing after him through
! the rooms;
"Good-by, johnny"
Before the sun had set he was at Parten.
kirchen. charming little town. in Bava'
ria He was amused at his own precipi,
tate flight. He need not have come so far
| Why had he not stopped at Seefield OF
! Mittenwald p-both wild, interesting
places. However, the inn at Partenkir
chen seemed comfortable. and there were
plenty of promising excursions to bt
made; so he resolved to carry out his
original plan of exploring the villages OF
the ryrol.
But poor Johnny's plans seemed des
tined to he frustrated.
Running down the wide wooden stair
case of the inn his foot slipped. His hand,
were full--he could not save himself; he
fell heavily, sharp point of the carved
balustrade running into, or DANGEROUSLY
near his eve. The pain was intense, anC
the wound bled profusely. In an instant
group of sympathetic people were la
mentiug round him.
ZACH du liebe Zeit! Ach der arme Eng
lander."
Meanw lille. Frau Werner, the landlady
instead of saying, "Ohr' All !" had sen
for the doctor.
He came at once. shook his head grave
", bandaged poor Johnny's eyes, anC
condemned him to 4 darkened room for ;
week.
Here was pretty thing his eye dam
aged, perhaps for life, and-who knows
(such is the sympathy between the TIVE
organs)-ihe other one might follow suit
and he would eventually become totally
blind? And all had happened in moment
/ rnly q faxw rninntas aro and ho was start