The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-28
STORY OF ELIZABETH
What Came Of Being an Artists
Only Pupil.

Miss Elizabeth Hill was still pretty little
woman, with nice hair and tidy little figure,
when her father died
One after the other her elder sisters had mar
ried aud left home: and Lizzie kept house for
her widowed father and forgot the lapse of
time.
The two old servants considered her mere
child, and she was always the youngest at the
rare family reunions. Her father had advised.
praised and scclacd her as though she had been
in her teens TO t,c last.
He was SO old when he went quietly to sleep
for tho last time that people had thought Eliza
beth waRla he prepared for her loss; but
she was not. and after the first great grief and
the shock Of leaving the old home, when the
property was divided and the house sold, she
found that another change had befallen her
She was no longer Miss Lizzie, the youngest
daughter still at home but middle-aged spin
ster living in clearinghouse.
Often when she had hurried up stairs and
shut the door Of her room she had thought 10
herself thai she could not endure this condition
ofthings much longer, but, after all, she dreaded
10 make a change.
She was exactly in the condition to jump at
anything which offered occupation and inter
est when the postman one day brought her
circular, gilt-edged and rose-tinted, bearing
these words:
bIEkle respectfully desires 10 make
known 10 the public the fact that he is about
TO reopen his classes in water-color paintings
English school, next Monday. Terms most
reasonable. Early application desirable, as the
number Of pupils viii be limited. Studio, No.
street"
it was an MISUNDERSTANDING card and as Miss
Elizabeth read il an idea came into her mind.
Way shoEld she not take lessons in water-color
paintings
She wonld enjoy the work She could afford
it. Ii would pass the time. She could perhaps
sketch from nature next summer
A little thrill ran through her at this thought.
She got her bonnet and maDtilla, her parasol
and her gloves and, taking the card with her,
hurried 80 make application for place in the
class before twas too late, for twas now Satnr-
day afternoon.
She found the number easily A large build
ing with many rooms, and at the very top of the
house four engrayers lady designer on
wood" and Mr.. Buckles name on a neat door
plate.
Miss Elizabeth. quite breatlless by this
time, applied her knuckles TO the panels, and
after little delay and some creaking Of boots
on a bare floor, the door opened and a middle
aged gentleman, with few gray hairs in his
Ehisizers and bald spot on his head, appeared,
with palette on his thumb and brush in his
hand, and, bowling politely, requested the lady
TO enter
Mr. Buckley Elizabeth asked with an in
terrogative infection
The gentleman bowed again.
= received your card said Miss Elizabeth.
j think l should like to join your class, if it
is not full"
1t j. not full as yet madam, replied Mr..
Buckle. and 1 should be delighted TO receive
you as a pupil"
He opened a portfolio as he spoke
Ny work," he said; perhaps you'd Ike to
look at it,
r,T1
color Of English scenes, cottages, lanes, old
women gathering faggots, ladies walking in
old parks
They were not great, but they were very
good. Miss Elizabeth was delighted.
" How kind of you to take class" she said,
beaming. Such an artist as you are"
Mr.. Buckle bowed again. He evidently pre-
ferred bowling TO speaking.
I'm sure I've seen your pictures in the
Academy" she said. and admired them
Mr.. Buckle blushed violently and bowed
again.
How modestl1 thought Miss Elizabeth
che inquired his terms. They were very
reasonable. She paid 1T on the spot, received
little List Of necessary paper, colors dc, and
went away
sunday passed slowly. despite its three cpl
s0des Of church-going, she awaited her first les
son with such impafience
AT last the hour came. She climbed the
stairs again, and entered the door Of the room
on which the name Of Buckle appeared. A
long pine table and SIX -bCrtOmed chairs
easel, and some cangases and portfolios, fur
nished the room. "A South American hammock
was twisted into coil and hung over some
pegs. "A blanket p0Sf9cre hung on a rod within
the door But there was no one there but Mr.
Buckle
Am ] too earlys1 Elizabeth asked, glancing
NJ her watch / see am the first
Oh, no, indeed, replied Mr.. Buckle. 1t
is the other pupils who are too late. We won't
-Fait for them.
He began his lesson at once, and Miss Eliza
beth was absorbed IN her work. An hour
passcd-two
The lesson was over. No pupils had arrived
Ladies are seldom prompt as you are;
said Mr. Buckle. ANY time viii do to begin:
any time They delay. They procrasripate
Its pity"
: 1t j. surprising TO me that they are not
more anxious to avail themselves Of such ad-
Fantages said Miss Elizabeth, hardly able TO
tear herself away from the contemplation Of
the blue sky, with white clouds, that had
grown under her brush. II have had de-
ligbtful lesson
Again she waited with impatienoe. Again
she climbsd up the long stairs. Again there
were 10 other pupils present. Again none ar
rived
But this time brown roof grew under her
brush and gray branches lay against the sky
AAS AflAh % II tree Was lnUjcaie1y ana the
figure Of child was carefully sietehed amongst
the blossoms, as yet only outlined in the fore
ground.
Miss Elizabeth tre1pblcd With pride and hap
piness.
You must find me very stupid, she said
But don't you think / can learn if ] apply
mysclf2"
II am sure you viii do we'll" said Mr..
Buckle. more than wen. N0u hare talent
madam-decided talent for art
On her way home Miss Elizabeth thought
with rapture that perhaps q day might come
when she should open catalogue and see
Sunset, OF Revere, or Moonlight Hours .
OF some such romantic title, ain0ng the list Of
pictures, followed 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 gentleman; and then
he was 50 gentlemanly. He never quite closed
the door. he sat at the opposite side OF the
table He was decorum itself And such
genius How foolish of the other members of
that limited class not 10 avail themselves of
such opportunities The quarter was over and
she was beginning 10 wonder whether Mr.
Buckle would trouble himself to teach a class
Of Ohc for SO small sum. When hurrying up
stairs 10 her lesson she heard voices within the
door and paused. Two men were talking One
was Mr.. Buckle
IF yOn can but wait little, she heard him
say.