Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-01-14
Three Dreams.

AGCL4OA O. paintings IL - - NOStN ~
the great Mechanics Exhibition in
Boston was one whose history only
three persons besides the participants
In the mystery knew.
This picture, measuring five by
four, was an Easter cross, formed
entirely Of ivv and lilies; the ivy was
to typify Christ c.iuging TO the cross,
and the Easter lilies, new life beyond.
The base was formed of lilies of the
valley: TO the right, representing the
two 1IaIvs, stood two callas, en-
shrouded in mist, which had dripped
into q pool beneath, rejecting the
stems and backs of the leaves Of the
two callas-maauing the tears which
laid bare the innate suferings to the
gaze of g turu.tuous multitude.
Who THAI zazed upon that wonder
ful reproduction Of Nature as the
symbol OF life and death read the
artists fine meaning? Yet such was
the symbols4l intent embodied in he1
thsme, and which TO Miss Cotton,
richly imaginative conception was
unmistaEa5.e.
Miss Cotton was IN ideal painter of
the old school, whose unique little
studio was reached through the Getty
of Colleges" The broad effective
touch Of the modern school was ever
an eres2re 10 her studied fine touch
snd-iHish idea of art.
Moreover, Misc Cotton cherished
her Oll-schOol ideas as something too
artlike TO bear improving upon, and
based her pTelilCCciOn for fine work
upon the iudispucable fact that there
were no "dauJs" in Nature; call
Gods works are finely finished, and
be never hurTes anything; all things
beautiful. unfold by gradual process :"
and then, with a loving look at her IA
vorite canvas, "There's my Madonna
Pve spent more or less time upon that
for nine years, and now l see some
thing in YOUR eyes-just stand where
you are, and don't wink a lid; now
I've caught it," And with few slow
sTa aa,----------ss=he-: a light shading
-sRfr, one sees al once The very slightest
Change in the downward glance of
this Madonna Of nine years' develop
nent; though far from recognizing
bow ones own eyes Influenced the ar
dstic sense Of subject.
How we all who were privileged to
be "received on Wednesdays" loved
the dear, eccentric old lady y!-too well
even TO be amused at her many eccen-
tricities; and perhaps it was, there
fore, l allowed myself to be led into
what might have proven a dire mis-
fortune to the grand old lady as re-
CARDS this identical Lily Gross, which,
after having gained ga history" hung
unconsciously enough among its fel-
low pictures, and none knew how
doubly symbolicad its meaning to :
tew.
Life IS very strange, indeed, In its
abrupt transitions. and thus it hap
pened that at twenty was called from
aife Of rural leisur- TO take upon me
the responsibility of thriving photo
graphic business which death had
bereft Of it: managing head; not TO 90
into details. of which, suffice it to say,
that our dear Miss Cotton, always q
privileged patron Of this same photo
graphic studio, continued her patron
age -as faithfully as ever, and many
fantastic order for q poet head, q
Greek athlete or Morse warrior, exc
cuted with patience and kindness,
which, later we saw finished in oil.
This process of doing in oil on albu-
men prints was a rare knack which 1
fancy but few artists are in the secret
Of; and, which | fancy a favored re-
cipient Of many secrets Of the dear old
geuius-out Of loving respect, and
bound thereto by many vow taken
on the blade Of her "palette knife"
which for fifty years or more had been
associated with more colors than
" heavens arcAed bow of color" ever
bore to human eve-must needs hold
still sacred. Thus twas that on the
day preceding the opening of the ex-
m0iuon / received a note from Miss
Cotton, desiring me to photograph her
"Liiy Cross" ere it was hung In the
art room. Directions for placing,
Lighting, etc. were given, and the copy.
night secured to me.
OF course, as fancy and scenic pho
Biography were not in my line, the
copyright was a very pretty compli-
ment which one accepted because Of
the donor; and ever ready TO favor
the whim Of the dear soul, the picture
was sent for forthwith, and In due
time deposited under our flight," but
TOO late Tor manipulation that night.
80 with cautiouary counsel TO Fred,
one Of the printers who was accommo-
dated with bed on the premises in
order to be on hand early enough to
make amends for the shortening of
the DAYS at the sunset end-for pho
tographers 10 less than farmers must
"make hay while the sun shines'-I
surrendered the keeping Of the Oily
Cross' 10 his care, after surrounding
The art treasure Of twelve months labor |
With screens and other protective para
Pheinala OF an operating room, and
again returning 70 impress the i'm
PC.'ance OF our trust upon the other
employees left the studio. Reaching
hoIos, change of scene brought other
thoughts, and as cuisine odors (if in
vltlng) are ap. to obliterate care for
lhe 'lme being, the thrall Of collodion !
anu ammonia and other photographic |
compounds subsidized, and for the few
oL!eI hours preceding the unconscious
ness OF sleep my mind was dispos.
seSSeu OF Photographic technicalities.
DuI uie morning brought with II |
TTr@ngg feelings Of apprehension.
mn!, could not understand, but the
one Ih0nght dominant was the "Lily |
SroSs's ca,o1s Surely, nothing but ars |
A rr,;,r;,,s. :. :,
a. Asrlylng at the studio az my usu
tame, ! found, to nv surpri,. 81. !
Rsf door Locked. i aalpsksS -