The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-01

IN the month Of December, 1879, that a gem
tleman, apparently Of middle age, called on
Charles Launier, the artist, in the sleepy
little town of birmingham, Mass. The
name Of Launier in his studio, unpretentious
as was the structurein exterior, had gone
abroad throughout the state, or rather the
surrounding states, wherever the true lovers
OF art, and even eminent connoisseurs OF
high art, could feast their eyes on
the productions of the diligent
artists brush. Therefore, IL was
TO this gifted and handsome young man .,
proud Of his French descent as of his talent,
that James Hsnford for that was our hero's
name), travel-stained and tired, repaired 20
engage the artist, regardless Of expense, 70
paint q portrait, or undertake TO, at least, in
accordance with bis idea, as his heart
told him, OF his first and only love. For,
gentle reader, our hero, Of course; had a
swee theart. All true heros do. Mr.. Launier,
after a few moments Of deep thought, re-
piled, well, sir, l will undertake to realize
your ideal with the greatest OF
pleasure, although it would be
well nigh an impossibility, were my gallery
not an entire panorama Of varied character,
facially and artistically. However. 1t
would not be plausible undertaking were
not in any event the compensation"
"Stopl stopl" cried Hanford. Whatever
be the result, you'll receive q handsome
sum for your trouble-never fear. As
chased fortune to the four winds and luck
lily secured satisfactory amount OF the
shekels | may as well state right here
my only object in life at present is to repro
duce the fair friend Of my younger days"
''Well, just select what represents the
features OF the young lady from the varied
groups that you observe and shall en-
deavor to blend them in one artistic masters
piece"
After a great deal of time and care they
had selection Of features quoted, for Han
ford, with his most suave manner, declared
that, although perfect gems of art, none Of
those portraits would OF themselves COM
pare with the one he said had the most
beautiful face he could remember.
He said: "Tf you confine the graceful
carriage of this lady's head, and the deep
luster Of those eyes, and the slightest up
ward and mischievous turn that this ones
nose has-those rudy, red lips and pearly
teeth, and if you give deeper color to
those chestnut tresses and a more graceful
falling to her luxuriant hair, / think you
have the greater part Of the facial char
acter. For the outline Of her form take
that Of this, your MASTERPIECES. Make it
more robust and more charming, II posi-
BILE. Do not put the finishing touches TO the
lady's mouth until the last, as one can
hardly portray the charming mouth in my
min DIS eye"
Very well, !" the artist replies at shall
be as you wish"
Mr. Hanford after that was frequent
visitor to the artists studio. The artist,
too. had learned to expect to see his CHEEKY
fece, for (and ID is time) | should give the
reader description Of his face. Handsome
as it is, and his well-knit form-a shapely
head. with dark curly and withal well-kept
hair, pleasant face despite the lines OF care
about the eyes. which looked out from their
deep blue depths with serious yet kindly
expression; a mouth and chin that
showed f1rmnees and resolution, and
edcrRing his upper lip was q. nustaehe
long and gracefully curling, of a color that
might have been classed black but for
slight brownish tan at the outer edges, as
more than one of the fairer sex had ex-
pressed it "a love of mustache." He was
yet on the bright side of 40. But more than
often falls to mans share In q whole life OF
worldly experience-and bitter trials had
fallen 20 the share of one hero-crowded
into his short life.
Looking back over memory's pages he
clearly sees himself a bright, fair-haired,
handsome lad; his father a hale and vener-
able man Of o., cabinetmaker, who
merely, with all his skill and labor, earned
aiiying for his family Of six, with their
help, and kept them comfortable.
=. Almost as early as he could remember he
had played together with little girl-oae
little Flora Claringdon. AS he grew older
he learned to love her with all the passion
ate ardor OF his nature, and In time she
learned his love for her. When he reached
his goth year he determined to know
his fate, In the true love line at least. Flora's
father was wine merchant, with large
family. There was John, a successful book
keeper by reason of his diligence and neat
ness OF system; Della, a young ''sohool-
marin" then, Flora, herself, was sweet 10,
and well-grown. her fathers favorite,
With her sunny. mirtb-loving disposition.
Then there were four other children with
an invalid mother, CHEEKY and peaceful,
though. was she, whom Flora loved with a
tender hllal love-
James found the response TO his love in
the eyes of the fair young girl, they hav-
Ing come to mutual understanding He
dared TO ask the old man Claringdon FOR his
dauRhters hand, but only to meet with a
storm refusal the old gent assuming an un>
wouted look of anger as he told young Han
ford that the blightlng Of his most beloved
SISTERS life, that of Flora's Aunt Matilda
was her early marriage TO a young man Of
dependent circumstances, who, though well
meaning enough, failed to keep his situation
under sharp competition and lost their only
support and their only child for want Of
proper food and medical attention, and
finally he became desperate, failing every-
where to get work for which be was fitted.
he saw his wife starving, whilst he could
scarce remember when his hunger had been
satiRted. One day in a desperate mood
he had forged check, or signed TO it the
name OF friend, from whom he had hoped
20 receive aid but who was then In distant
state he was now serving a term in the
state penitentiary with many another un-
fortunate, concluded Mr.. Claringdon. add
ing: ..WereI able. and as you may know I
am not, TO withdraw sufficient capital from
my. business. l would gladly settle it on
Flora at her marriage, but, conhderi-
tiefly, am curtailing my business
now 10 meet demands on my purse.
And give my daughter, whose duty it is
slso to remain with her invalid mother, in
marriage 70 a young man untried and de-
pendent on the world for a living, never
shall, while these hands OF mine may toll
for the support of my family. Unincum-
bered as you are, you have your only chance
tofnake your way in the world. Go do 40,
and lift is in you TO do it, return able Of your
own efforts to keep a fragile creature from
want, and then only should be willing to
bestow on YOU my daughters handn ..
James found that Flora was disincliued TO
leave her loving father and invalid mo her,
so he was of too noble disposition 70 plead
with her to forsake them for his love- He,