Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-29

And rFHuU HOt uUOv az td1-
address behind me-, 70 for three blessed
weeks might roam an undisputet lord OF
myse.t Three weeks were not very many
to take out OF the fiftytwo, hut they were
all coul ven ure to give myself; for even
at that time my practice, II not 80 lucrative
- l could wish, was large and increasing
one. Having done twelve-month's harl
work, Eel. tina no one in tho kingdom
could take MS holiday with a conscience
clearer thnn mine, NO lay back in pc
culiarly tontenteI frame OF mind, and dis
counted the coming pleasures Of my brief
respite from labor.
There arc many ways of passing a holiday
many places at which it may be spent,
but, after al, II YOU wish to thoroughly en-
10Y it. tuere - but one royal rule to he fol-
lowed. Tnit is, simply to please yourself
20 where you Ike and mount the innocent
holiday hobby which is dearest to your
heart, let its name DO botany. geology, en-
tomolDgj, couchology, venery. piscation, or
" ut not Then you shall be Happy, and
return we'll braced up for the battle of life.
knew a city clerk with literary tastes who
invariat ly spent his annual fortnig hit among
the mustest TOMS of the British museum
and averred that his health was more bene-
ftcd by so dong tan il he had passed the
time iAhang the freshest sea breezes. l
dare say h was right IN his assertion.
Skstch.ng has always been my favor te holt
day pursuit Poor my drawings may be,
revertl eless, as turn them over in my port
FOL o, they bring, to me at least, vivid re-
mcmbrances of many sweet and picturesque
spots, happy days and congenial compan-
ions. Ii is no for me to say anything of
their actual merits, but they are dear to me-
for their associations
This particular year went to North Wales
and made Bettws Coed my headquarters
STAYED at the Royal Oak, that well-knowu
little inn, dear TO many an artists heart, and
teeming with "reminiscences of famous men
who have sojourned there times without
number. 1t was here l made the acquaint-
ance of the man with whose life the curious
events am going to narrate are connected.
On the first day after my arrival at
Bettws my appreciation of my liberty was
50 thorough, my appetite for the enjoyment
of the beauties of nature so keen and insa-
table, that went SO far and saw so much,
that when | returned TO the Royal Oak night
had fallen and the hour Of dinner had long
passed by. | was, when my own meal was
placed on the table, the only occupant of the
coffee-room. Just then young man entered
and ordered something to eat. The waiter
knowing, no doubt, something Of the frank
camaraderie which exists, or should exist,
between the followers Of Melpomene, laid his
cover Mt my table. The newcomer seated
himself, gave me pleasant smile and nod,
and in five mini ties we were in full swing Of
conve salion.
The moment my eyes fell upon the young
man hal noticed how singularly handsome
he was. Charles Carriston-for this l found
afterward TO be his name-was about ~
years of age lie was tall but slightly
built, his whole bearing and figure being
remarkably elegant and graceful He looked
even more than gentlegnanly-he looked dis
tinguished. His face was pale. its features
we'll cut straight and regular. His fore
head spoke oil high intellectual qualities, and
there was somewhat of that development
over the eyebrows which phrenologists l be-
heve. consider as evidence of the possession
of Imagination. The general expression Of
his face was one of seriousness if not sad
ness, and its refined beauty was heightened
by pair of soft dark, looking
eyes.
II only remains to add that, from his
attire. jul aod him to be an artist-a pro-
fessional artistic the backbone. In the
course of conversation / showed him how
had class fled him. He smiled.
II am only an amateur" he said: an idle
man. nothing more-and your
ALAS! ar a doctor"
''Thea we saalI not have to answer for our
aims IN painting to each other"
We talked On pleasantly until our bodily
wants were satisfied by the good fare placed
before rs. Then came that pleasant crav>
ing for tobacco which. after good meal, is
natural to a well-regulated digestion.
''Shal we 60 and smoke outsider said
Carriston. THE night is delicious"
We went out and sat on one of the wooden
benche2 As my new friend said, the night
was delicious There was scarcely breath
Of air moving, The Stars and the moon
shone brightly, and the rush of the not far
distant stream came to " with soothing
murmur. Near US were three or four jovial
young artists They were in merry mood;
ono Of them had that day sold picture to
4 tourist We listened to their banter I'M