Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-02-08
THE WOOD CHOPPER.

"You are really too bad, Horace ~ and
touch of the whip to Whitefoot's sides
emphasized Godfrey Howell's impatient
exclamation.
His companion started from his rever-
les, and with a good-natured laugh
asked, "Why ~
"Why Have we not been riding
side by side for nearly three hours, and
have you not been mute as fish all the
time 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 l be Miss Ryan's de-
fender 2"
"You admired her last winter"
{" oh, yes, as lately as this spring; but
an accident revealed to me so hollow and
heartless 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 calico! Pray, were you dream
ing of such one in your long reverie 2"
No; was thinking"
$50 imagined. Come, out with it {;
l am quite curious to hear what formed
the subject of your thoughts"
" must go back little to make you
quite understand why they were so en-
crossing. You may have heard that my
uncle, who adopted me when 1 lost my
parents, was an eccentric, indeed-some
said-almost crazy, man. And he GER
tainly had very peculiar notions. Among
these was fixed aversion to authors. ac-
tors, painters, sculptors, and-I am quot
ing his words other gentlemen vaga-
bonds You may, then, imagine his
fury when l 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 try and move me; but I 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,
by care, l could make that
cover the expenses of my education,
So the threat to disinherit me was power
less like all the rest, and 1 sailed for
Italy, firmly determined to return an
artist. There had been strong love be-
tween my uncle and myself. / honored
his good qualities, and was willing, for
their sake, to humor his whims; and I
was the only child of his only sister,
whom he loved devotedly. So when ]
returned he sent for me, and in his owr
queer way made bargain with me. i
will paint him one good picture, gel
it admitted to the academy, draw the
prize, and sell it for enough prove thai
my art will not beggar me, he will for
give me all my obstinacy and take mt
home again"
"Well, where is the dificulty2 Yo,
have painted pictures worthy of a place
in the academy, and, if l mistake not
sold them too"
"They were all either portraits or his
torical subjects. For this, my creates
effort, want something new, something
original. Historical subjects are so hack
neyed, and don't want to 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-"
"Look" cried Godfrey, refining hi
horse and pointing forward with tn
whip; there is a subject!"
Through the broken gateway, whicl
led from the road to cottage, Horac
saw his picture. The background wa
the stone wall of the house, and the sur
roundings were pile of wood, q gate
and the soft, green grass. Kneeiiug upo
the largest log, with both chubby hands
to raise the heavy AK, was child, who's
white, polished limbs and lovely fac
were fair enough to rouse any soul to ad
miration. The dark blue dress of WOO
len fabric was scant enough to leave tn
dimpled shoulders and arms bare, an
the plump, white foot had neither she
nor stocking to hide its splendid beauty
Dark chestnut curls, escaping from
scarlet hood, shaded a bright face, who's
large dark eyes were raised as the littl
one stood motionless, looking at the ca
riage and the two Getty gentlemen"
"Lottiel Lottie! you little romI
where are you2"
The child started as the voice can
floating out at the open window aboy
her
"I'm down here, chopping wood"
A sweet, bright face came out anon
the roses which surrounded the windoy
and then, with merry laugh, the sist
cried:
. "Ohl Lottie, you naughty grill" ar