The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-02-12

was appreciated; and many lovely
maybe stood by the hour before me,
lost in admiration at my magnificence.
And how often have l formed a back
ground for scenes of love and scenes of
hate!-but all that was in the dim long
ago.
This train of thought was started by
hearing an unusual amount of noise
outside: finally the rusty lock was
turned, and our dismal gloom was
frightened by party Of American tour
lists. 1t was so delightful to once more
look down on jolly company that |
fairly shook with pleasure and excite
ment. which one of the ladies observed,
and exclaimed with little scream:
sob! | know there must be a skeleton
or ghost behind that lovely old tap
estry! just see it wave!"
This drew general attention to me,
and was 50 much admired that one of
the young ladies in the party proceeded
to sketch me. While thus occupied, her
charming companion, tired of gazing at
the old armor and dull pictures, re-
turned to her side, and commenting on
the graceful Cupids which were repre-
scented flying around me, exclaimed:
"Why, these cherubs remind me that
this is st. Valentines Day." Then she
peremptorily announced that she want
ed the sketch for valentine, to send
to Jack. This being granted, she re-
<svoJ 10 ,.ri,,1nu,-cnnf onA
tender verse, beginning Dearest jack"
under the drawing. Suddenly she was
called to join the party, and in the con-
fusion of departure the valentine to
dearest Jack" was overlooked.
" \
The old gallery seemed like dismal
den after the departure of the pict-
uresque girls, but day or two later the
rusty lock again announced visitors
This time young man was in the COM
pany, whose observant eye soon fell
upon the sketch in the window-seat, and
the valentine verse beginning Dearest
Jack" seemed to cause him considerable
amusement; and his own name being
.Jack-Jack Janvier-he felt certain
claim to the drawings claim the :us-
todian was not slow to recognize on see
ing the amount of the visitors fee.
Then, with the sketch in his hand,
Mr. Janvier again looked me over, COM
mented on my antiquity, was enthusiast
tic over my rich coloring, made many
flattcring personal remarks-in fact,
made quite a study of me. 1t gave me
an opportunity to criticise him, and
will acknowledge that though perhaps
not up to the men Of my day, he was a
fine specimen.
will pass over my experience of the
next few weeks. There was a sheriff's
sale. and was ruthlessly torn from the
walls of the grand old hall. Soon !
found myself enduring the miseries OF
life in London auction-room. l can
never forget the horror of being paved
over by hundreds of unappreciative
hands of ignorant people. This expe-
rience was wearing upon me and was
growing threadbare and tattered, when
one day in walked Jack Janvier How
my heart went out to him. Surely he,
who had shown so much appreciation OF
me in my days of affluence, would not pass
me by now. But how to attract his gaze
among this heterogeneous mass of mat
ter? tried to wave at him as he was
passing near me. He looked up and
recognized me at once. had made nc
mistake in estimating his character.
The purchase was soon made, and was
sen. To his rooms.
Almost the first thing l saw, tackled