Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-19

nothing but congratulate myself upon the
happy chance that brought about our en-
counter this morning. For once in my life
was in luck" b..
SIT seems to me- replied, 'sthat it is 1
who was in luck, and who have the best oc-
casion for sslf-congratulation."
"That would depend upon the dubious
question Of the value Of life, said he. 81
am skeptical whether we confer boon or
infict bane upon the human being whom
we bring into existence or whose exit there
from we prevent. 1t is probable, indeed,
that except for our meeting you would at
this hour have been numbered among the
honored dead. But very Hkely-either en-
ioying the excitements of the Happy Hunt
ingIGround or sleeping the deep sleep of an
nihilation-very likely, I say, you would
have been better off than you are actually,
or can ever hope to be IN the flesh. About
my good fortune, contrariwise, debate is i'm
possible. Here am in veritable clover,
smoking capital cigar, after capital din
ner, and the richer by the acquisition Of
three new friends, for as friends trust 1
may be allowed to reckon you and your
ladies. Had not happened to run across
you in the way did, on the other hand, l
should now have been seated alone by my
bachelors hearth, with no companions but
my plaster models, and no voice to cheer my
solitude save the bowling of the Storm
"It is very hattering of you TO put the
matter as you do; but being modish in no
respect, I am least of all so in my meta
physics Therefore cannot share your
pessimistic doubt of the value of life; and I
assure you I should have hated bitterly to
leave mine behind me in that ungodly snow
bank. 1t is true, am periIously close to
the scriptural limitation of mans age; and
I ought perhaps to feel that have had my
fit and proper share of this worlds vanities
and to be prepared for my inevitable journey
to the next, But, I must confess, am so
little of philosopher that should dearly
like to tarry here few years longer; and
hence, maintain, my obligation to you is
indisputably established,
"Well, then, so far as I can see, we may
consider ourselves quits.
Hardly; the balance is still tremend-
ouslY in your favor.
After that we again smoked for awhile
without speaking. Then again FairchIld
broke the silence.
"Iwonder whether you would take it
amiss. DR.. Benary,' he ventured, "if 1
should mention something which has been
the object of my delighted admiration al
most from the moment entered your
house?"
'.rWhat is that?' Iqueried.
81 fear you will condemn me as over-bold
If answer candidly; but shall do so, and
accept the consequences. The circumstance
that 1 am an artist may be pleaded in my
behalf if seem to transcend the bounds of
the conventional"
"You pique my curiosity. What is it
that YOU allude to? do not think you
need be apprehensive of my wrath. My ex-
tended edition of the Life of Sir Joshua?
That is the result OF ten years hard labor.
Or my Quadroon woman by Sartain? It's a
wonderful piece of flesh painting, truly.
It looks as though it would bleed, if you
pricked it"
'Yes, it's in Sartain's best style. But this
is. not what had inlmind neither is the
life OF Sir Joshua, which, by the way, have
not SEEM"
"Not seen it? Oh, well, I must show it
to you directly we go upstairs. But what
then? do not know what I have worthy
of such admiration as you profess"
''You.have niece; and allude to her
extraordinary beauty"
My pulse quickened. Here had he, of his
own accord, broached that very topic upon
which was anxious to sound him.
"Ah, yes, Miriam, assented, trife
nervously, and wondering what would come
next. "Miriam. Yes, she's very pretty
girl"
"Prettyi" ne repeated. "Pretty? Why,
my dear sir, she's-who, in FIVE years I've
not seen SO beautiful a woman. And it
isn't simply that she is so beautiful, but its
her type. Her type-I believe 1 am safe in
calling it the least frequent, the rarest. in
the whole range of womanhood. Forgive
my iervor. speak as an artist, as one to
whom the beautiful is constant study. It
is type Of which you occasionally see a
perfect specimen in antique marble; but in
flesh and blood, not oftener than once in q
lifetime. To say nothing Of her eoloring,
which painter would go wild over, con-