The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-11-28
- II. thuuabed COW Of Il. "P;h rim. Prog.

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wa' quite terrified by the picture Of th'
combat with Apolyon.
Mean while, jerry" with a beating
heart, led Mr. Herbert lp stairs to a room
destitute Of furniture, save an old table and
chair A bucket half full Of common RED
clay stood in ono corner, and OH the table
we're several of the littls clay figures which
had excited the farmers ire AMI consterna
ton.
Crude, defective, full Of faults as they
were there was enough power In them to
make Mr.. Herbert look at the lad in won
worshipped art; who had dabbled as an
amateur in painting and sculpturing FOR
years; who considered gifted artist the
most fortunate Of mankind. 50 the word
envy Is not Ill chosen. What he would have
given half his wealth to posssss came to this
boy unsought for-to the son of clod Of a
farmer the precious gift was vouchsafedl
As he would have expected, the most am
bilious efforts were tho worst-the naked
CONAN was particularly atrocious-but,
still vet, and not ruined by an abOrtive at
tempt at Laking, was a group modelled from
life, vulgar subject, representing, as it did,
Abraham Leiyh's prize SOW. surrounded by
her ten greedy offspring. There was Sich a
power and talent in this production that,
had he seen nothing els, Mr. Herbert would
have been certain that tho lad a, modeler
and copyist must take tho first rank IT, in
addition to his manual dexterity, he had
poetry, feeling and magma ion, it might
well be that one of the greatest culptors of
the nineteenth century stool in embryo be-
fore him.
AS Mr.. Herbert glanced from the rough
clay sketches to the pale boy who stood
breatbleSs, as one expecting verdict OF
life or death, he wondered what could have
been the cause of such divergence, from
the traits habitual to the Leighs Then he
remembered that some twenty years ago
Abraham Leigh had chosen for a wi; not
one Of his own kind, but dweller in cities
"A governess, who exchanged, no dou t,
life of penury and servitude for tho rough
but comfortable home the Somersetshirs
farmer was willing to give he. Mr. Her.
bert remembered her, remembered how ut
terly out Of place the delicate. refined
woman seemed to be us Leigh's wife; re-
membere1 how, few years after the birth
of the boy shs siCkened and died. 1t was
from the mothers side the artistic taste
came
Mr.. Herbert, although kind man, was
cautious. He had no intention OF raising
hopes which might be futile. Yet he felt a
word of encouragement was due to the lad
Some of these figures show decided
talent" he said After seeing them, |
need scarcely ask you If you wish to BIO
scuiptor''
y, ing Leigh clasred his hands together.
"Oh, SIR! he gaspel. If it could only
bel"
You do not care to be a farmer like
your ia here
II could never lie farmer, sir. | am
not fiC for it,
Yet, if you follow in your father track
you will lead comfortable, useful If. If
you follow art you may go through years Of
poverty and suff 1ring before success is at
tained'
he 10y raised his head and looked full at
the spealtcr-there was almost passionate
entreaJy in his eyes.
"Oh, SIR he said, 'If you would only
persuade my father to let me try--even for
n few years. If | did nol succeed ! would
come back to him an work as a laborer for
the rest of my life without murmur.'
Mr.. Herbert was impressed by the boys
''i h'NthNN's VIM Hii'bh W ' OtIi iatlti,
he said. Then the two went back to the
sittiny-roOm, where they found Abraham
Leigh much exercised by some difficult
questions propounded Ly Mss Herbert re-
speeding the nature of ApolyOn.
TAX my It'll, girl for walk round the
garden said Mr.. Herbert to young Leigh.
Il want to speak to your father"
In spite of the great gulf between her ana
!, .t..,rl l..
the little princess was too glad of a change
Of scene to wish TO disobey her father. She
followed her conductor to the back of the
house AMI the boy and girl stepped out into
he autumnal sunshine.
The little maid look ed so trim and dainty
in her neat riding habit, coquettisi hat AMI
tiny glove, that mis- own dragged appear
ance struck the boy forcbly.
'1' you will excuse me minute" he said
81 will run and wash my hands"
YES. think it will 10 better" said Miss
Herbert, with dignity.
In minute or two young Leigh returned
de had found time not only to wash the rich
red clay from his long, well-shapel fingers.
but to slip on his coat an generally beautify
himself. HIS improved appearance had a
great effect upon the Cli.d. who, like most
Of her age, was influenced By exteriors
So Miss Herbert, this lttle great lady.
lnbent and allowed Jerry to lead her
round the old fashioned garden, to the out.
houses and pigStyes, whore the Obese pigs Law
oblivlous of what fate had in store for them:
TO the dairy, where she coniescended to
rink glass of new milk, and by the tina
they had returned to the garden the two
were as cool friends as their different STA
tons in life would permit. Young Leigh,
" no saw in this dainty little maid the in.
o! fairies, nymphs, goliesses AMI
other ideals which, In dim way, were form
ing themselves in his brain, en- laayorei.
after his first shyness had passed away, TO
show her what beautiful shapes anl forms
roul be found in flower, leaf and tree. and
other things IN nature. His talk indeed,
'oarel far above her pretty little head, and
when they returned to the gard he was
trying TO make her see that those masses of
white clouds low down in the drstanc, vera
two bodie, of warrior, about To meet in
ieadly fray.
"Aou are very, very funny boy" said
Miss Herbert, with such az air OF conviction
that he was startled into silence
Your name is Jerry, isn't it," she con-
tnu"d "Jerry's an ugly name"
My name is Gerald-Gerald Leigh"
Oh Gerald" Even this child could 81,
the iupropriety of tenant farmer having a
on named Gerald. No wonder Abraham
Lniyh addressed his boy rs Jerry