Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-02-28
Don't be setting my tools by the

Don't be setting my tools by the
ears" .
mo; I want to see those pictures by
the chimney"
He said nothing. His lathe buzzed.
His chisel tortured bars OF metal until
they shrieked. The fragrance OF fresh
cut steel filed the shop.
l sprang to the dusky corner. My
heart choked me. ! wanted TO shout so
that John Brent, miles away across the
wilderness of the great city, could hear
and come with one step.
For here was what | hoped.
Here we were, our very selves, In this
bold, mastery drawing. John Brent
himself, the wounded knight; myself,
bringing him water from the fountain;
our dear Ellen, kneeling beside; and
bending over us, Don Fulano, the chief
est hero of that terrible ride through
the canyon.
And more, il I needed proof. For
here, in among the water plants by the
spring, there In the grass under Word
worth's oak, lurked the initials E. c.
Found! All, not yet. A clew; but
perhaps clew that would break In my
hands as l traced it.
! lost no time.
"These are pretty pictures, said /,
crushing myself into self possession.
what has that got to do with this
job?"
"You think I'm pretty good me-
chanic?"
"Middling. You handle tools well
enough for gentleman"
"Well, if were not bit OF an artist
should not even be middling mechan-
ic. like to see fine art such as these
drawings hung up before working
man. | can understand how appreci-
ating such things has helped yon to
become the first mechanic in Eng
land"
"Who says | am that?"
$50 the first engineer in England told
me when he sent me here"
"Oh, he sent you! Isupposed you did
not find your own way"
There has been no chance In my
coming here" said l, and my heart
thanked God.
YOU'RE right about those drawings,
voung man" Padiham said, and his
voice seemed to find sweeter tone even
than before. They do me good and
put finer edge on my work. They're
good work and by a good hand"
"Wtose?"
The dwarf turned about and surveyed
me strictly. Then he started his lathe
again. tore off a narrow ringlet OF steel
from bit he was shaping, and hung
another stream Of steely perfume in the
air.
"Whose hand?" l asked again.
"Do you ask because you want to
know, Or only to make idle talk|
81 want to know"
What for?"
81 think the drawings are good. ]
should like pair by the same hand.
can YOU direct me to the artist?"
No"
why not?"
The artist don't like strangers. l
will order you what you want.
.sThat will not do. l prefer to talk
over the subjects with the painter"
The warf turned again and gave me
q nrobinp look, and again took up his
chisel and cut shining curis without
reply. u-,or II
knew something, and it must out. =
"Look at me, George Padiham. l
said. "Stop your lathe a minute ana
charge me for the time hundred tunes
ovor, know the hand that painted
these pictures. Ny portrait, and my
friends. and my horses portrait are
here on YOUR wall. Only one person In
the world could have painted them
EIIan Clitheroe. Here are her Initials
in the corner. You know where she is.
| wish TO see her. / must see her s'
once, now"
"Keep cool, young man! This is my
sbon. I'm master here. I've put Dig
gar men than YOU out OF this door De-
tore. What's all this must and shall
ahont? What's your name?'
Orchard Wade"
padibam left his lathe, came toward
me. surveyed me earnestly again ana
then took down the drawing wherein l
sppeared. He compared the man stand
inc hefore him with MS counterfeit pre-
sentiment. There could be no mistak-
inc me had the honor TO resemble
myself, as tue artist hAu ieH'eni ''i e'
me.
uyon,re the man." said Padiham.
give heard OF you. / wasn't looking
sbarn not to have known you when you
first came in and stood there by the
door waiting for me to speak hrst;
Richard Wade, give me your hand!
suppose If am the best mechanic iu
Enaland-calIed so on good authority
YOU won't mind striking palms with
shook him by the hand pretty vigor'
ously. anti. .., ,;,
| ., vonr fist for one of the overgrown