The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-04-10

a NJ ~
COLUMBIA DEMOCRAT, VOL. XIX, NO
ing the walk home he scarcely spoke a
word, but his taciturnity seemed only a
continuance of his quiet composure at
the inn. On our arrival, be introduced
me to his daughter Maria and then
left the room. Maria Lutte was a fair
aud decidedly handsome girl Of about
hiteeen her manner was, however, in
advance of her years and eviDced that
self possession and, In the favorable
sense of the term, that womanlinesss
that is only seen at such an early age
in girls that have been left motherless
or from other causes thrown much on
their own resources.
She had evidently not been informed
ot the purpose of my coming, and only
knew that l was to stay there for the
night ; she therefore excused herself
Tor few moments that she might give
the requisite directions to the servants
as TO the preparing my room. When
she returned, she told me that / should
not see her father again that evening.
the state of his health having obliged
him to retire for the night but she
hoped that he should be able to see
him some time on the morrow. In the
meantime, she hoped l would make
myself quite at home and call for any
thing | wanted She herself was sit
ting in the drawing room, but perhaps
l should like to smoke and take some
thing; If so, there was a fire IN the
housekeepers room, and she would
come sit with me, as she expected the
medical attendant every minute, and
probably he would stay to smoke and
take something. As the little lazy
seemed to recommend this course,
readily complied. did not smoke or
take anything but sat down by the fire,
when she Immediately Joined me. She
conversed well and readily, and with
command Of language in person so
young. Without being disagreeably
inquisllive, or putting auy question to
me, she seemed DESTROYS of learning
the business that had brought me to
the house. | told her that her father
wished me to paint either her portrait,
or that of sister of hers, if she had
one.
She remained silent and thoughtful
for moment, and then seemed to COM
prehend it at once. She told me that
sister of hers, an only one, to whom
her father was devotedly attached,
died near four months previously that
her father had never yet recovered
from the shock of her death. He had
often expressed the most earnest wish |
for portrait of her 3; indeed, it was
his one thought; and she hoped, if |
something of the kind could be done, it
would improve his health. Here she
stamnered and burst into tears. After
while she continued sit is no use
hiding from you what you must be
very soon aware of. Papa is insane
he has been so ever since dear Caroline
was buried. He says he is always see-
ing dear Caroline, and he is subject TO
fearful delusions. The doctor says he
cannot tell how much worse he may be,
and that everything dangerous, like
knives or razors, is to be kept out of
his reach. 1t was necessary you should
not see him again this evening" as he
was unable to converse properly, and
fear the same may be the case to-mor-
row; but perhaps you can stay over
Sunday, and l may be able to assist
you in doing what he wishes. | asked
whether they had any materials for
making likeness-a photograph, a |
sketch or anything else for me to go
from. "No, they had nothing" "Could
she describe her clearly" She thought
she could, and there was print that
was very much like her but she had
mislaid it. | mentioned that with such
Disadvantages and iD such an absence
of materials did not anticipate a
very satisfactory result | had painted
portraits under such circumstances, but
their success much depended upon the
powers Of description of the persons
who were to assist me by their recol-
lection in some instances l had at
tained certain amount of success, but
in most the result was quite failure
The medical attendant came, but did
not see him, | learned, however, that
he ordered a strict watch to be kept on
his patient till he came again next
morning. Seeing the state of things,
and how much the little lady had to
attend 0, l retired early to bed.
The next morning l heard that her
father was decidedly better; he had
tixr BIZ -hoth ho,,
| was really in the house, and at break
fast time he sent down to say that he
hoped nothing would prevent my max
ing an attempt at the portrait imme-
diately, and he expected to be able to
see me in the course of the day.
Directly after brakfast | set to work,
aided by such description as the sister
could give me. | tried again and again,
but without success, or, indeed, the
least prospect of it. The features,
was told, were separately alike, but the
expression was not. / toiled on the
greater part of the day, with no better
result The different studies | made
were taken up to the invalid, but the
same answer was always returned-no
resemblance. had exerted myself to
the utmost, and in fact, was not a lit
tie fatigued by so doing-a circum-
stance that the little lady evidently
noticed, as she expressed herself most
grateful for the interest she could see
took in the matter and referred the un-
successful result entirely to her want of
powers of description.
She also said it was so provoking
she had print-a portrait of lady,
that was SO like, but it had goue-she
had missed it from her book for three
weeks past. 1t was the more disap-
pointing, as she was sure it would be
of great assistance. asked if she
could tell me who the print was of, as,
if knew, ! could easily procure one
in London. She answered Lady M.
A. Immediately the rame was uttered
the whole scene of the lady of the rail