Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-03-28

hammock was twisted into coil and
hung over some pegs. A blanket por-
t'ere hung on a rod within the door
but there was no one there but Mr.
Buckle.
"Am too early2' 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.
The lesson was over. 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 It's pity"
at is surprising to me that they are
not more anxious TO avail themselves
of such advantages" said Miss Eliza
beth, hardly able to tear herself away
from the contemplation of the blue
sky, with white clouds, that had grown
under her brush. Ihave had delight
full lesson"
Again she waited with impatience
Again she climbed up the long stairs.
Again there were no other pupils pres
ent. Again none arrived
But this time brown roof grew
under her brush and gray branches lay
against the sky.
The trunk of tree was indicated,
and the figure of child was carefully
sketched 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 can
learn if | apply myself?"
81 am sure you will do we'll" said
Mr.. Buckle; "more 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
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.'
me 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
gentlemanly. He never quite closed
the door He sat at the opposite side
of tie table. He was decorum itself.
And such 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 a class of one for so
small sum. When hurrying upstairs
to her lesson 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, l have waited, haven't l ?"
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 I'm just establishing N.Y.
self" said Mr.. Buckle; pupils come
slowly. Ispent all 1 had in advertis-
ing and paying the first months rent
and buying such furniture as I've got.
sleep in that hammock, and take down
the porttere for a blanket; and so far
I've got only one pupil. 1t won't do
to starve. l live on a dollar a week.
Now where is the money for rentY"
Don't seem to be any," replied the
landlord; that's why | think maybe
you'd better move"
"Ah well, / suppose l mist" said
Mr.. Buckle.
I'm 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. Good
morning. Ah, no, don't apologize; its
all In the way of business; and then a
large man in a light oyercoat bounced
out and nearly ov rset Miss Elizabeth
as he ran down stairs.
She. for her l'art, went into the
room all tremulous with surprise and
grief, and could hardly utter her usual
SACCOlllS.
She looked at Mr. Buckle as he laid
out the pattern, and tested the shade
OF the color in her palette cups, think
ing what a 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
lor the first time sat down beside her.
I'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-
cies. He's a little dearer than l am.
out ever so much better
"oh. that can't bel" Miss Elizabeth.
")h yes indaad co;I Ag D,,