Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-27

sd1reSs behind m, so for three blessed
weeks might roam an undisputed lord of
myself. Three weeks We're not very many
b. take out of the tifty-two, but they were
all could venture to give myself; for even
1t that time my practice, if not so lucrative
US ] could wish, was a large aud increasing
one Having done twelve-mOnth's hari
work, | felt that no one in the kingdom
could take his holiday with a conscience
clearer than mine, so | lay.back in n pc
culiarly ooltented frame Of mind, and dis
counted the coming pleasures of my brief
respite from labor.
There are many ways of passing holiday
many places at which it may he spent,
but, after all, If you wish to thoroughly en-
JOY it, there is but one royal rule to he fol-
lowed. That is, simply to please yourself
60 where you like and mount the innocent
holiday hobby which is dearest to Your
heart, let its name be botany. geology, en-
tOmolDgy, conchDlogy, venery, pisCation, or
what not. Then you shall be happy, and
return well braced up for the battle of life
knew a city clerk with literary tastes who
Invariably spent his annual fortnight among
the musticst tones Of the British museum
and averred that his health was more bene-
fted by so doing than if he had passed the
time ahahng the freshest sea breezeS. |
dare say he was right IN his assertion.
Sketchtng has always been my favorite holi-
day pursuit Poor n my drawings may be,
nevertheless, as l turn them over in my port
folio, they bring, to me at least, vivid re-
membranes of many sweet and picturesque
spots, happy days, and congenial compan-
ions. il is not 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 y Coed my headquarters.
] STAYED at the Royal Oak, that well-known
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 ! 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
80 thorough. my appetite for the endowment
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 owu meal was
placed on the table, the only occupant of the
coffee-room. just then a young man entered
and ordered something to eat The waiter
knowing no doubt, something Of the frank
camaraderie which exists, or should exist,
cover at my table. The newcomer seated
himself, gave Inc "A pleasant smile and nod,
and IN five minut ties we were in full swing of
cunve satiOn.
The moment my eyes fell upon the young
man had noticed how singularly handsome
he was. Charles CarristOn-fOr this found
afterward to he his name-was about %
years of age. He was tall, but slightly
built, his whole bearing and figure being
remarkably elegant and graceful. He looked
even more than gentlemanly-he looked dis
tinguished. His face was pale, its features
well cut straight and regular. His fore
head spoke of high intellectual qualities, and
there was somewhat of that development
over the eyebrows which phrenologists, be-
lieve, 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, dreamy looking
eyes.
IL only remains to add that, from his
attire, judged him to be an artist-a pro
fessional artistic the backbone In the
course OF conversation ] showed him how |
had classified him. He smiled.
81 am only an amateur" he said; ian idle
man, nothing more-and your
ALAS! am a doctor"
Then we shall not have to answer for our
sins IN painting 10 each other
We talked On pleasantly until our bodily
wants were satisfied by the good fare placed
before US Then came that pleasant crave
ing for tobacco which, after 4 goId meal, is
natural to q wel-regulated digestion.
shall we go AMI smoke outside" said
Carriston. "The night is delicious"
We went ont and sat on one Of the wooden
benches. 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 us with soothing
murmur. Near us were three or four jovial
young ARTISTS, They were in merry mood !;
one Of them had that day sold . picture to
"A tourist We listened to their fanter, unr
Ill, mot likely growing thirsty, they re-
entered the inn.
Carriston had said little since we had been
out Of doors lie smoked his cigar placidly
and gazed up mt the skies. With the white
moonlight falling on his strikingly beautiful
face the graceful poss into which he fell