The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-08

"I am aIrald ne Was, answered, "and fool, too."
 "And fool, sir. Answer fool af- ter his folly. You did that, and he was nowhere-nowhere at all, except in the swearing line. Now, might I ask," he continued, "if you are an American, sir?"
 "No, I am not" answered; "but I have spent some time in the States"
 I could have fancied that he sighed.
 "I thought-but never mind, sir,' he began. "I was wrong. It is curi- ous how very much alike gentlemen, that are real gentlemen, speak. Now, I dare swear, sir, you have taste for pictures"
 I was inclined to humor the old fel- lows mood. I like good picture, l admit," said.
 "Then, perhaps, you would not be offended if asked you to step inside and look at one or two," he suggested, timidly. "I would not take liberty, sir, but there are some Van Dycks and Rubens in the dining room that cost mint of money in their day, have heard, and there is no one else in the house but my wife and myself"
 It was strange invitation, strangely brought about. But I saw no reason for myself why I should not accept it, and l followed him into the hall. It was spacious, but sparely furnished. The matted floor had 8 cold look, and SO had the gaunt stand, which seemed to be fixture, and boasted but one umbrella, one sunshade and one dog whip. As l passed half open door caught 8 glimpse of small room prettily furnished, with dainty prints and water colors on the walls. But these were of a common order. A dozen replicas of each and all might be seen in walk through Bond street. Even this oasis of taste and comfort told the same story as had the bare hall and dreary exterior, and laid as it were a finger on ones heart. I trod softly as followed my guide along the strip of mating toward the rear of the house.
 He opened door at the inner end of the hall and led me into large and lofty room, built out from the back, as state dining room or ball room. At present it rather resembled the latter, for it was without furniture "Now," said the old man, turning and respectfully touching my sleeve to gain my attention, "now you will not con- slider your labor lost in coming to see that, sir. It is portrait of the sec- ond Lord Wetherby, by Sir Anthony Van Dyck, and is judged to be one of the finest specimens of his style in ex- istence."
 l was lost in astonishment; amazed, almost appalled, 1 My companion stood by my side, his face wearing a placid smile of satisfaction, his hand pointing slightly upward to the blank wall be- fore us. The blank wall! Of any picture, there or elsewhere in the room, there was no sign. turned to him and then from him, and I felt very sick at heart. The poor old fellow was- must be-mad. I gazed blankly at the blank wall. "By Van Dyck?" I re- peated mechanically.
 "Yes, sir, by Van Dyck," he replied, in the most matter of fact tone imag- inable. "So, too, is this one;" he moved as he spoke, few feet to his left. "The second peers first wife in the costume of lady in waiting. This portrait and the last are in as good a state of preservation as on the day they were painted"
 Oh, certainly mad! And yet so graphic was his manner, SO crisp and realistic were his words, that rubbed my eyes, and looked and looked again, and almost fancied that Lord Walter and Anne, his wife, grew into shape before me on the wall. Almost, but not quite, and it was with heart full of wandering pity that accompanied the old man, in whose manner there was no trace of wildness or excitement round the walls, visiting in turn the Cuyp which my lord bought in Hol- land, the Rubens, the four Lawrencet and the Philips-a very barmecide feast of art. I could not doubt that the old man saw the pictures. But saw only bare walls.
 "Now I think you have seen them family portraits and all, ," he concluded as we came to the doorway again stating the fact, which was fact with complacent pride. "They are fine pie lures, sir. They, at least are left, al- though the house is not what it was. ?
 "Very fine pictures" I remarked. was minded to learn if he were sane on other points. "Lord Wetherby," said, "I should suppose that he is not in London?"
 "I do not know, sir, one way or the other," the servant answered with a new air of reserve. "This is not his lordship's house. Mrs. Wigram, my late lordship's daughter in law, lives here."
 "But this is the Wetherbys' town hon ko