Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-04-08
THE ONLY PUPIL.

MISS ElZeDeCn hill was SClll pretty llJ-
tie woman, with nice hair and a tidy little
figure, when her father died.
One after the other her elder sisters had
married and left home; and Lizzie kept
house for her widowed father and forgot
the lapse of time.
The two OLD servants considered her a
mere child, and she was always the young
est at the rare family reunions.
Her father had advised, praised and
scolded her as though she had been in her
teens to the last.
He was so old when he went quietly to
sleep for the last time, that people had
thought Elizabeth would be prepared for
her lOss;" but she was not, and af'er the
first 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 a
middle-aged spinster living in boarding
house.
Often when she had hurried up stairs
and shut the door of her room she had
thought to herself that she could not en-
dure the condition of things much longer,
but, after all, she dreaded to make a
change.
She was exactly in the condition to jump
at anything which offered occupation and
interest, when the postman one day
brought her circular, gilt-edged and rose
tinted, bearing these words:
Mr.. Buckle respectfully desires to make
known to the public the fact that he is
about to reopen his classes in water-cOlor
painting, English school, next Monday.
Terms most reasonable. Early application
desirable, as the number of pupils will be
limited. Studio, No.--street.
It was an attractive looking card, and
as Miss Elizabeth read it an idea came into
her mind. Why should she not take les
sons in water color painting
She would enjoy the work. She could
afford it. 1t 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 mantil-
Ia, her parasol and gloves, and taking the
card with her, hurried to make application
for place in the class before it was too
late, for it was now Saturday afternoon.
She found the number easily. A large
| building with many rooms, and at the very
top Of the house four engravers, lady
designer on wood" and Mr.. Buckles
name on neat door-plate.
Miss Elizabeth, quite breathless by this
time, applied her knuckles to the panels,
and after little delay and some creaking
| and middle-aged gentleman, with few
gray hairs in his whiskers and bald spot
on his head, appeared, with palette on
his thumb and brush in his hand, and
bowling politely, requested the lady to en-
| ter.
| "Mr. Buckle?" Elizabeth asked with an
interrogative reflection.
The gentleman bowed again.
''I received your card" said Miss Eliza
beth. 81 should like to join your class, il
| it is not full.'
SIT is not full as yet, madam" replied
Mr.. Buckle, "and should be delighted to
receive you as pupil"
He opened a portfolio as he spoke.
"My work." he said; "perhaps you'd
like to look at it."
| The portfolio was full of sketches in wat.
er color of English scenes, cattages, lanes,
old women gathering faggots, ladies walk.
ing in old parks.
They were not great, but they were very
good. Miss Elizabeth was delighted.
| "How kind of you to take Glass; she
said, beaming. ''Such an artist as you
are. !"
Mr. Buckle bowed again. He evidently
preferred bowling to speaking.
I'm sure I've seen your pictures In the
Academy" she said, 'fand admired them. "
MIR. Buckle blushed violently and bowed
again.
How modesto thought Miss Eliza.
beth.
She inquired his terms. They were very
reasonable. She paid it on the spot receiv.
ed a little list of necessary papers, colors,
&C., and went away.
Sunday passed slowly, despite its three
episodes of church-golng. She awaited he1
first lesson with much impatience
A last the hour came. She climbed the
stairs again, and entered the door of the
room on which the name of Buckle appear
ed. A long pine table and six cane ottom
chairs, an easel, and some canvass and
portfolios, furnished the room. A South
American hammock was twisted into q
coil and hung over some pegs. A blanket
po4tiere hung over rod within the door.
But there was no one there but Mr. Buckle.
Gam too early % Elizabeth asked,
glancing at her watch. see / am the
first
''Oh no, indeed" replied Mr.. Buckle
1t is the other pupils who are too late. We
won't wait for them.'
He began his lesson at once, and Miss
Elizabeth was absorbed in her work. An
hour passed-two.