Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-03-19
%. WOODSTOCK VT, wednesday, MARCH 49, 1884,

ana six cane bottom chairs, an easel,
and some canvases and portfolios, fur
nished the room. A South American
hammock was twisted into coil and
hung over some pegs. A blanket por-
tiere hung on a rod within the door.
But there was no one there but Mr..
Buckle.
Gam l too early?" Elizabeth asked,
glancing at her watch. sec l am the
6rst."
ooh no, indeed" replied Mr.. Buckle.
1t is the other pupils who are too late.
We won't wait for them"
lie began his lesson at once, and
Miss Elizabeth was absorbed in her
work. An hour passed--two.
The lesson was oyes, Nopupils had
arrived.
Ladies' are seldom as prompt as you
are said Mr.. Buckle. "Any time
will do to begin. any time. They de-
lay. They procrastinate. lisa pity"
at is surprising to me that they are
not more anxious to avail themselves
of such advantages, said Miss Eliza
beth, hardly able t. tear herself away
from the contemplation Of the blue
sky. with white clouds, that had grown
under her brush. Ihave had Il delight
full lesson"
Again she waited with impotence.
Again she climbed up the long stairs.
Again there were no other pupils pres
ent Again none arrived.
But this time Il brown roof grew
under her brush and gray branches lay
against the sky.
The trunk of a tree was indicated,
and the figure of a child was carefully
elictched amongst the blossoms, as yet
only outlined in the foreground.
Miss Elizabeth trembled with pride
and happiness.
"You must find me very stupid" she
said. "But don't you think I can
learn if l apply MYSELF"
81 am sure you will do we'll" sud
Mr.. Buckle; "moye than well. You
have talent, madam-decided talent
for art"
On her way home, Miss Elizabeth
thought with rapture that perhaps a
day might come when she should open
a catalogue and see Sunset" or "Rev-
erie" or Moonlight Hours" or some
such romantic title, among the list of
pictures, followed by the delightful
words, "by Miss Elizabeth Hill"
The thought chased away the scru-
pies that troubled her as to the propri-
ETY. Of being the only scholar of sin
gle gentleman; and, then, he was SO
gentlcmanly. He never quite closed
the door. He sat at the opposite side
of tie table. He was decorum itself
And such a genius How foolish OF
the other members of that limited
class not to avail themselves Of such
opportunities. The quarter was over
and she was beginning to wonder
whether Mr. Buckle would trouble
himself to teach class of one for SC
small sum. When hurrying upstairs
to her lessen she heard voices within
the door, and paused. Two men were
talking. One was Mr.. Buckle.
IF you can but wait little" she
heard him say.
"Well, | have waited, haven't I?'
replied the other voice. 81 know you
mean well; but studios are in request
| can't let mine for nothing. You
haven't given me one cent for two
months, Mr. Buckle"
"You see In just establishing my.
SELF" said Nr. Buckle; pupils COME
slowly. Ispent all had in adverts
ing and paying the first months rent
and buying such furniture as I've got
sleep in that hammock, and take down
the p0tiere for a blanket; and so fal
I've got only one pupil. 1t won't dc
to starve. l live on dollar a week
Now where is the money for renty'
Don't seem to be any," replied the
landlord; that's why l think maybe
you'd better move"
"Ah well, l suppose mlst,' said
Mr.. Buckle.
OH just give this lesson and hang
myself, or something not here, it would
give the place a bad name, you know
and you've been most kind. Coco
morning Alb, no, don't apologize; its
all in the way of business; and then 9
large man in a light overcoat bounced
out and nearly ov rset Miss Elizabeth
no ba RON ,lo,rn ctn;r,
She, for her lart, went into the
room all tremulous with surprise ant
grief, ind could hardly utter her usua
greeting.
She looked at Mr Buckle as he laid
out the pattern, and tested the shade
of the color in her pa!4tte cups, think,
ing what fine, kind, pleasant face his
was.
She noticed, too that the braid that
bound his coat was worn out, and that
his knees were shiny.
Then he came around the table and
for the first time sat down beside her.
"l'm going to give up this studio
Miss HILL" he said. "This will be our
last lesson. I'll give you the address
of an excellent teacher who has vacan
| pin, HIS litflo Jo,rar tbn, I IN,