Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-02-13
SHE TRIPPED.

l
SHE TRIPPED.
ern chambers, I, together with his
| other belongings, was packed. and we
| learned that New York, Jacks home,
| was our destination.
1t seemed he was taking every thing
| with him except his valet; so the latter,
as consolation for losing so good a
| situation, soothed his injured feelings
by calmly stealing the contents of one
trunk, and alas! was among the pur-
Joined property, and was turned wrong
side out and rolled so tightly that it was
impossible for me to know any thing of
my whereabouts for some days.
The next time I saw the light the
condition of my surroundings, the quail
ity of my neighbors, the indescribable
litter of innumerable articles made me
look forward with joy for any change.
An American artist wandering into
the old curiosity shop appreciated me at
the first glance, and in a few hours 1
was being packed for an ocean voyage,
and we next saw the light in New
York studio. The first day after we
were all settled in our new quarters
John Marble, my new owner, gave a
reception, and what gathering of pre-
possessing people it was! l won't &C
knowledge that the men were any SUI
perior to my contemporaries of two
hundred years ago, but the graceful
girls, the wonderful women, the lovely
ladies, the charming children who
thronged the studio that afternoon fair
ly made my threads thrill! And imagine
my delight on recognizing the two beau
tiful girls by whom had been so much
admired few months previous in the
old castle! assure you it gave me great
qualification to see that the recognition
was mutual.
soon learned that Beverly Campbell,
| who had made the sketch of me, and
Jack Marble were cousins, and Maud
| was the name of her inseparable friend,
| the writer of the valentine verse.
The two girls were frequent visitors
at the studio, as Miss Campbell had
agreed to pose for a painting which
| Marble hoped to finish in time for the
spring exhibition; and they showed
their usual good taste in utilizing me
] for a background.
| could see the full effect of the paint
| ing in the mirror as it progressed.
There was Beverly in an artistica1ly
draped robe of charming tone, gracefully
seated ON pile of cushions, touching
the light guitar, making harmonious
contrast to my rich coloring. Who could
blame the artist-though certain carp
ing critics did-for making the old
tapestry too prominent?
The work was undeniably great sue
i - -
hung on the line and received f1atter-
ing notices from the press and praise
from the public, Notwithstanding the
fact that l was pronounced 'stoo pro-
nounced for a suitable background"
Before the first private view was over
the painting had little card stuck in
the corner marked 'Sold.''
| was there, too, in reality, as we'll as
by proxy in the painting. Marble had
loaned me to the decorating commit
tee, and 1 was hung in the corridor,
| where, though almost concealed by hor-
rid palms and pernicious plants, 1 could,
by looking through the doorway. see
the picture of myself and Miss Beverly.
One day it struck me there was some
thing familiar about one of the men
who was looking at our painting; he was
lost in the crowd, however, before my
curiosity was satisfied. Later he re-
turned, and for long time gazed at the
canvas. No one could wonder at this,
for it was beautiful piece of tapestry
painting and quite did me Justice; and
| Miss Beverly's figure in the foreground
undoubtedly added to the attractiveness
of the general effect
/ The following day the same familiar
figure was again studying our work.
Finally l caught glance of his face.
Yes! 1t was my former owner, jack
Janvierl
How I longed to drop right of the
hooks and fall on his neck as he passed
near me! and how hated the stuck-uI
plants for shutting me so much from
view!
Day after day Janvier came to the
gallery, and our painting absorbed mos,
of his attention. I always knew he was
fond of me, but for such devotion as this
was unprepared.
On one occasion they all came very
near meeting. Janvier had just turned
from the picture and passed out of the
gallery as Jack Marble, with Beverly
Campbell and her inseparable friend
Maud, entered the opposite door. Wha
pleasure it would be, ] thought, t.
bring them together and have the two
Jacks and the two fair maidens formally
presented
The exhibition over. the painting wa.
sent to its purchaser, and was sent II
the studio. but, much to my discomfort
not unrolled. However, recognized
, Janvier's voice. who entered the studi,
lone morning and introduced himself t.
Mr.. John Marble.
i He was enthusiastic over the painting
! in the exhibition, only regretting tina
II was purchased 1t the first private
view, before he had seen the collection