Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-02-25


''Only one person in the aCorld can hare
painted them"
How iubilant l felt the next morning
as made my way toward Lamely court!
AS the clock dallied on its last stroke
Of seven, entered Padiham's shop.
My first glance-eyes never looked
more earnestly-was toward the two
drawings.
There they were-fact, not fancy.
could still hold to the joy of hope.
They were too far away in this dusky
corner for absolute recognition; but there
were the familiar gables of the old hail.
and there was my horse, yes, himself,
bending over that very group of Lugger-
mel springs. | must cling to my con-
fidence; would not doubt. IfI doubted,
should become a stupid bungler over
the models, and probably disgust Padi-
ham by my awkwardness.
'sGood morning, Mr.. Padiham."
Good morning." said he, in that
hearty voice which resolutely declined
being surly.
We went at our work without delay.
For nearly two hours put myself and
kept myself at Shorts Cutoff. Padi-
hams skill and readiness astonished me.
Great artists are labor saving machines
to themselves, they leap to conclusion
in moment where a potterer would be
becalmed for tide.
By and by found that could be of
no further use to this master craftsman.
'You understand this job better than
do" said l.
Il understand it," said he.
"I'll take short SPELL" said |, '.and
look about the shop a little"
Don't be setting my tools by the ears. !"
mo; | 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.
sprang to the dusky corner. Ny heart
choked me. | wanted to shout so that
John Brent, miles away across the wilder
ness of the great city, could hear and
COIue Will Ou0 SJbp-
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 chiefest
hero of that terrible ride through the
canyon.
And more, if needed proof. For here,
in among the water plants by the spring,
there in the grass under Wordsworths
oak, lurked the initials E. G.
Found! All, not yet. A clew; but
perhaps clew that would break in my
hands as | traced it.
| lost no time.
'.These are pretty pictures" said /,
crushing myself into self possession.
"What has that got to do with this
job"
lyon think I'm pretty good me
chanic:v
"Middling. You handle tools well
enough for a gentleman.
"Wel, if were not bit of an artist
should not even be middling mechanic.
| like to see fine art such as these draw
ings hung up before Il workinginan. l
can understand how approaching such
things has helped you to become the frat
mechanic in England. "
Who says am that?"
80 the first engineer in England told
mo 1r,baf, he cent mo ba,.a
''Oh, he sent you. supposed you did
not find your own way"
'sThere has been no chance in my COM
ing here" said !, and my heart thanked
God.
You're right about those drawings,
young man." Padiham said, and his
voice seemed to find a sweeter tone even
than before. They do me good and put
a finer edge on my work. They're good
work and by good hand.n
"Whose!"
The dwarf turned about and surveyed
me strictly Then he started his lathe
again, tore off narrow ringlet of steel
from bit ne was shaping, and flung
another stream Of steely perfume III the
air
Whose hand." asked again.
''Do you ask because You want to
know, or only to make idle TALK"
Il want to know"
"What for?'
II 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.
will order you what you want
''That will not do. | prefer to talk
over the subjects with the painter"
The dwarf turned again and gave Inc
probing look, and again took up his
chisel and cut shining curls without
reply.
/ grew impatient Of this parley. He
knew something, and it must out
Look at me, George Padihamlr
said. "Stop your lathe minute and
charge me for the time hundred times
over! | know the hand that painted
these pictures. My portrait, and my
friends, and my horses. portrait are
here on your wall. Only one person in the
world could have painted them Ellen
Clitheroe. Here are her initials in the
corner. You know where sheis. wisl
to see her. | must see her at once, nowr
keep cool, young mani This is my
shop. I'm master here. I've put bigger
men than you ont of this door before
What's all this must and shall about
What's your nameg7
Richard Wade"
Padiham left bis lathe, came toward
me, surveyed me earnestly again ani
then took down the drawing wherein
appeared. He compared the man stand
ing before him with his counterfeit pre-
sentiment. There could be no mistakin,
me. had the honor to resemble my
self, as the artist had remembered me.
You're the man. said Padiham
'I've heard Of you. l wasn't lookin!
sharp not to have known you when yol