The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-08-19
WHEN He BROUGHT The BLACK SILK
The One Thing In Life For Which Mr..
Young Longed Came Too Late.

The 0ne Thing In Life For Which Mt.
Young Longed Came Too Late.
1t w@S no very ezacting ambition that
Robert 1o1ngs mother had cherished
all her life. She lived very quietly on
the western prairie farm 70 which she
and her husband had gone together
when they were both Young. She did
not expect 20 be rich or even think about
It She was content with the homely
round Of her daily life. Sometimes her
husband used 70 say that If they had
only happened TO go here or there. where
some OF the friends OF his youth had
found copper or silver. or struckSil. they
also might have been worth millions. but
the wife always answered: 1T want to
be. John:it want TO be. And we've done
pretty well, as things go, but I shoald'a'
like one good black silk dress.
This was the only wish that Robert
Young had ever heard his mother e1-
press. and he used tosay 70 himself when
he was a boy:
Bless the dear another. Size shall have
it fhe very first money earn"
Roberts father, too, planned in his
OWL mind the an thing. but one year
the harvest tursed out badly. and an
other the children had diphtheria, and so
it was that the good black silk had never
been bought.
1t was a strange thing that the son OF
John and Rachel Young sh0nld have
been an artist. But Robert began TO
draw before he could write, and at last
he got hold of q box Of colors through
the kindness Of one of his Sunday school
teachers, and then ne made pictures that
dazzled the eyes OF his prairie neighbors.
As he grew older he got orders for
portraits from proud parents who were
willing 10 give . for a daughters or a
sons likeness. and he saved these small
sums until by the time he was IS he had
enough money 70 take him 10 Boston,
where he hoped TO find a good teacher
and to do something really worth while.
His struggle in the city was hard
enough 20 begin with. Every snowstorm
was a friend to him, for wherever he
shoveled OF steps and sidewalk they
were SURE TO want him again. he did his
work so cheerfully and so we'll.
He paid for his lessons by taking care
Of the studio Of the artist under who,o
he studied He was ready TO do any
honest thing TO earn an honest penny.
and at last, even IN Boston, people found
out that he had a special talent of his
own and began TO buy his pictures.
There were so many things at first to
do with the none that be earned. He
must have Z little studio OF his OWE
where people could come, and it would
not answer for the artist who had his
own studio to live like the youth who
used 20 shovel of sidewalks. He did not
forget the good black silk dress or the
mother who was to wear it: he only
waited.
At last cau1e a spring when he had
been fairly prosperous. and he planned
to 90 home for his mothers birthday in
August and to carry the dress with him,
bit Just then he received an invitation
that hatfered him. His former teacher
was going 10 Ipswich for a summer of
sketching and asked Robert to 90 with
him.
1t seemed an opportunity too good to
De lost. so ne went TO Ipswich. and the
summer few by as if On wings, and Rob
ert did not 60 home in August: he only
wrote a letter.
II was October before he started for
the farof prairie farm. Once on his
way, he hurried forward by night and
day until he reached the little station
that was nearest TO his home. He had
written when he should arrive. but he
did not see his father waiting for him as
be had expected. He felt a momentarv
ems of injury. but just then an old
neighbor cane up.
Il s'pose you might as well ride home
long with me he said. 4 told EN- I'd
fetch We. a. long as yer pa couldn't
Couldn't, Why:
WAL. | sort er hate to tell We. but
yer mother. she had a shock er palsy
yesterday. and yer father don't like ter
leave her jest VII"
There was a strange choking in Robert
Youngs threat. The good black silk
dress was il his valiSe. but he had
brought it too late.-Touth's Companion.
r.