Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-01-20
CHAPTER IL.

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CHAPTER II.
/ THE CoSr OF a REPCTArIoN FoR CHARITY
/ Mr.. NorcrOsS was a bachelor. and resided
I in a pleasant street in Upper Town, his sists,.
being housekeeper, His house was sip,rly-
/ furnished, vet the gooi taste apparent in the
arrangement Of the furniture gave the rooms
an air Of neatnsSS if not OS elegance There
were not SO many pictures aS might be ex-
/ peCted in the dwelling Of lover q. art and
in many cases the frames were more notice
able than the canvas: for upon most Of them
were plates Informing the visitor that they
were presented 70 William NorcroSs for his
/ dlSlntereSted services aS treasurer, director.
or chairman of the Society for the Relief OF
lnhrIn W ood-SawyeJ>S. or some other equally
benevolent association. The silver pItcher
and Salver, always visible rIpnp = tsbl,, ,,-,,,a
a testimonial from the MANAGERS Of a fair
for the aid Of INDECENT Widows. \ masSivs
silver inkStani bore witness to the sratituis
Of the Society of GroccrS' Clerks. Nun,er.
Gus votes Of thanks, handsomely engrossed
on parchment, with eminent names ar-
pended and preserved in silt frames,
filed all the available space upon
the walls. Ii was evident that this
was the residence of Il Benefactor of Man
kind.
Ii was just after breakfast. and Mr.. Nor
cross was preparing 10 so out. His full aud
handsome face was serene rs usual, and a
general air Of neatuess pervadei his dress
He was, in fact. unCNceprouahle in appear
ance, wearing the look that gets credit i'll
Wall street; gives reSpectahihty to a public
platform, and seems 10 bring blessing into
the abode of poverty. Nothing but broad
and liberal views, generous sentiments, and
a noble self-torgettulneSS would seem to
belong TO man with such a presence. But
bis sister, Irene, this morning, seemed far
from being pleased with his plans; her tones
were QuerulouS and even severe.
"Now, William she exclaimed, you arc
not going TO sell that picture. We've had
enough changeS--every auction a new p,lr-
chase, which you Immediately fling away"
You are very warm-hearted young
woman" replied her brother, and you
doubtless imagine that l am able with my
limited resources to buy picture from every
new painter, besides answering the number
less calls made upon me from every quarter. =
"Why did you bid for the picture thenI'
a wished to encourage the artist"
"But why do you sen it, them
Jameson wants it, and viii give a small
advance on its cost"
"But Jameson was at the sale; why didn't
he bid for it, theu!'
"A very natural question, sister Irene; but
1t shows that you are not manager How
aver, I'll explain. Jameson was struck with
the picture, and would have given a foolish
price for it. So said to him. Jameson,
2on't be rash. If two connoisscurs like You
and me hid against each Jther for this land
scape, other buyers will think there is some
thing in it, and the price will be run up to a
figure neither one of us can afford to pay
Let me buy it and keep it month or So, and
then we will agree on the terms. ] shan't he
hard on you. And l won't be- He shall
have it for a hundred, although paid
eighty-seven odd"
$50 you speculate where you pretend to
patrOnze art.'
"DOn'J use harsh words, Sister Irene.
Half the difficulties in the world come from a
hasty application of terms"
But | want the picture, and didn't ask
you to buy it merely to oblige Mir. Oak
hurst"
"rrue, sister, but he will paint others, and
better ones, perhaps. will buy another in
its place"
"And sell it when YOU get good offer, I
suppose"
"SiSter Irene, You evince n thoughtless dis
position to trife With hope not to wound
my feelings. How do you suppose | am
able to maintain my position in society, TO
support George in his elegant idleneSs, to
supply all your wants and to help carry on
all the many benevolent enterprises in which
l have become engaged, on the small amount
! of property left us, and with the slender sal
airy of fifteen hundred dollars from the Insur-
ance company! If | had not some self-de-
NAL, some management, you would find quite
| a different state of things.n
"But remember that you drew your last
years salary in lump. You must have
money from some source for current ex-
I penSeS, meanwhile"
"SOme few business transactions last year
were fortunate But | am poor, quite poor;
and nothing but a sense of duty impels me to
give so much of my time and means to aid
the unfortunate and the destitute and for
the promotion of education and the arts that
beautify and adorn life"
His wits probably were "wOol gathering"
| for the phrases which had been so often
conned for public occasions slipped Off his
| tongue quite unawares His countenance
changed at once when Irene mischievously
applauded by ciapping her hands and cry
! ing,
"Hearn He paused q moment. seemingly
doubtful whether to mako an angry reply;
but his face Frightened, and he exclaimed:
"You are q wicked tease but can't be Of
Tended with you"
"Bye-bye, William" she replied. "Soms
committee is waiting for you" Then as he
was about closing the door, al was going to
say William, if your charities are not more
extensive than your patronage of art, you
/ miVht afford me that n UpgTIl I asked
you for"
! We will follow Mr.. NorcrOss to the Insur-
ance office. 1t was only 8 O'Clock, and the
business Of the day did not begin until 10
But the morning hour was rarely unoccupied.
! AS he sat in his arm chair reading the morn
| ing papers, Mr.. Jameson entered. He WAS
a clerk in the commission house of Sleavin &
| Co., in Broad street; man of culture and
refined taste, as well as attentive to business
affairs. With an active, sanguine tempera-
ment, he had the good-humor and frankness
that usually belong to less ardent natures
Supplemented and straightforward, he was
/ yet as trustful and affectionate as child
/ He was unmarried and lived with his mother,
| her only child.
| %Oh, Jameson" said Norcross, with corii-
atty, You don't want the picture yeti Let
it remain as long as you can and I'll con-
slider the favor when we settle"
mo, I'm in no hurry about the picture,
have matter Of business / wish to consult
you about. Ny mother had a small property,
about ten thousand dollars. Up to this time
| haven't made it very profitable, and l
I thought"
/ Just then visitor entered. The President
of the Society for the Reformation of Crimi-
mails came with a call for public meeting.
| "You know, my dear sir, said the Presi-
dent, "that we don't expect you TO pay; we
/ consider the calls made upon your purse, but
we want your name and influence"
Mr.. Norcross signed the call, and made
various inquiries concerning the condition
and prospects Of the society.
The President left with smile and profu-
sion of thanks Before Mr. Norcross was
fairly settled, another person came in 1t
was the Secretary of the Society for the care
Of Juvenile offenders.
1--WE want to have hearing before the
city government" said be, -and we have Sc
cured the aid Of Mr.. Jay Leather to present
the ease Won't Won rive ~ N-Tlrgr mama To