Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-09

lived from hand to mouth. He wouio
be idle as forced peach on hot-nouse
wall ITO use smile of his OWN Iol
weeks at a time, and vet when ne was
seized with desire to work IL wes ~
uncommon thing for him 10 pain. u
compose twenty-four hours al slss'ns'
and come to the bureau or my nouso -,
most before l was out OF peu WIN
disheyeled raiment and bloodshot eyes
TO exhibit or read to me the result VI
his industry. d
had by this time ceased to regard
him with seriousness as a philosopher
Indeed it was difficult not to consiuer
his yagaries self indulgence; ana from
the yeneration | conceived for MIN al
the start came to be his mentor Ia Tue
end. | dared to demonstrate WIN
him on the irresponsible lie ne waS
leading, and songht to inculcate Ia nm
the doctrine of moderation. feit thse
7 had an influence over him, and IL was
the consciousness of this that prompted
me not to be too severe in the matter OF
his attentions and little gifts. Wnen
talked to him, as often did, on the ei-
rorof his ways and the waste OF MS tar
ents, he would listen to me with tears
in his eyes, and promise better innings
for the future.
He would become systematic and seri-
Gus in his habits and work. Witnout
Incoming a convert to moderation, ne
would develop his own scheme OF phil
osophy in an artistic spirit. There was
a Iimit oven 70 extremes, he said, and
that limit scientifically determined
would induce perfect happiness:
When he talked thus, l felt l couid
afford to be Indifferent to the insinua-
tions and playful sallies OF Miss Kings
lev and Mrs. Marsh. They might think
what they chose OF our relations. IL oy
the exercise of sympathy ana counsei 1
could regenerate man OF strong inai-
yiduality and striking natural gilts
from the thrall OF self indulgence, ne
for the idle voice Of gossip!
1t is difficult for me to analyze more
closely than / have done my feelings
and thoughts during the period In which
| studied the principles OF moderation.
Bat the events OF three days at It's close
are indellbly impressed upon my men,
ory. For several weeks during the
autumn Paul Barr had been hard at
work upon picture in regard TO whlch
he had seen fit TO be mysterious, al
though he became enthusiastic as TO
its merits before 1t was nearly finished.
No piece of painting that he had ever
attempted was so satisfactory to him,
he said, both in the way OF conception
ard performance. So confident was he
of its excellence that / began at last to
share his excitement, and expressed a
wish to see tho masterpiece. But he
was resolutc In his determination that
no one should see it until It's completion,
and least of all /.
Curious as I felt concerning it-for
one could never be sure that Paul Barr
was not genius-I was In no haste TO
have the picture finished, for the art
lists own sake. So deep and breathless |
was his interest that he had become reg |
ular in his hours and habits. He seemed |
to realize that the best work required q |
steady hand and an unwearied eye. III |
l took some slight credit to myself for |
this change in his methods 1t was not |
unnatural, and yet was not so far elated |
as to feel wholly confident IL would last. |
When he had put the finishing touch TO |
his wonderful creation would he abstain |
from the dissipation and self indulgent |
idleness that was apt TO follow any con-
.centration on his part? l liked to be-
lieve that this would be the case, and as |
| cherished the idea it grew almost into |
absolute faith.
] have said that Aunt Agnes and / |
were on pleasant terms; but there was
ko mir nf
which threatened at times In mar the
Barr. Some one had informed her-t
have no doubt it was Miss Kingsley
that he was much In my society, and
that we behaved like lovers. j had
learned by this time not to allow my
awe for Aunt Agnes to prevent me from
defending myself; but found exculpa-
ton difficult matter in this instance
on account OF the character OF the otner
offender. She styled my attitude hypo-
critical. because parleyed with the en-
envy. Even assuming that there was no |
Irritation between us-of which she was
nv no means convinced-whatr right, she
asked. had |, as a neophyte OF recent |
standing, TO be on terms OF intimacy
with the arch advocate OF the school OF
thought most opposed to that which l
professed?
I mention this in order to explain why
I had of late been more chary OF my |
sympathy In my interviews with the ar
list, and had given him strict orders
that he was not to send me any more
fruit and flowers. However much j
might desire his welfare, self respect re-
auired that should not let our friend
ship become so conpicuous as to
attract general attention. 1t was short
ly after / issued this mandate that he
began the picture to which have re-
ferred; but the immediate result of my
words was fit Of angry dependency.
Two days before Christmas he came TO
me and said that the picture would be
finished and ready for exhibition on
Christmas eve, and that he wished me TO
see 1t first OF all. Would
come to his rooms on that after
noon? AS he saw me hesitate
he clasped his hands with so pite-
Gus an expression that l chose not TO
say no. Why not after all, thought I.
1t was unconventional to be sure. But
matrons were out OF date and supernu-
Gus in the artistic world.
Dlu uOb MISS hinBsicy ~ dOout iIcciJ
TO studios aud wherever the needs OF her
profession called her? II she were safe
from familiarity why should not / be?
= had strong belief In the magic circle
OF respect which surrounds thoroughly
refined woman. II / refused the artists
request was certain to disappoint him
sorely. II was small enough favor,
argued. to grant to one who had been
striving bravely to overcome his evil
raf,ra III M In efi1 affon