The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-31
IT WAS VERY BAD.
An Artists Criticism That Brought
About a Romance.

One sultry, sunny afternoon in May
there might have been SEEM in d
large sized room, in an unpretentious
building at Noting Hill, a goodly
crowd Of artists, many young and few
old, that constitut I'd the committee of
the Society of Water Colors"-a little,
simple minded society, composed of
amateurs and young artists, with one
or two veterans to give it backbone.
They were sitting in Judgment on
the picture sent in for their annual ex-
hibition, and they looked critical and
grave, as befsted their task.
The talk hummed on among the
committee. and at last the fat went
forth-all the pictures were to be adj
mitted. To this one of the veterans-a
good-looking man of thirty-fve OBJ
jected
There is one really too abomina-
bly, bad" said he. That Scene from
Macbeth'-it would never do to have
that"
''Oh, come, Stretton. yours too par
ticular. 1t will pass muster among the
rest"
mo, it won't; it will be disgrace to
the exhibition. just look at Macbeth's
leg! And the, color-perfectly raw! 1t
will never do"
SO the hum began again, and the re.
suit was that the Scene from Mac
beth" was literally and fguratively
turned face to the wall.
Stretton, satisfied at having saved
the honor of the society, left the others
to settle the remaining business, and
was walking out of the room when he
came face to face with Boggs-a good
natured little amateur, who could not
draw amy more than frog who hasn't
got no tall" but was immensely con-
ceited to make up for it. He caught at
Stretton eagerly.
81 say, old fellow, you've done it,
You know that picture you insisted
upon turning out? Well, it was paint
ed by young girl and she was in the
next room and heard every word that
you said and has gone home crying her
eyes out"
by Jover' exclaimed Stretton, look
ing dismayed "I'm awfully sorry.
wouldn't have had it happen for the
world. Poor little thing. Confound
my stupidity! might have known bet
ter. What shall l do? Where is the
picture?"
"She's taken it home with her," said
little Boggs
"What an awful idiot l was" went
on Stretton. ''Poor little grill l say,
Boggs, you're going my way. Suppose
we lay our heads together and see
what can be done"
The next morning, as the poor little
girl sat painting away in a corner of
her sitting-room, while her mother
dozed and crochcted and lamented the
days when Mr.. Grierson was alive and
they did not have to live in lodgings,
the dingy, overgrown servant girl an
nounced a gentleman to see Miss
Grierson.
Miss Grierson remembered little
Boggs' face, aud the thought of her re-
iected picture made her turn hot and
cold together.
Little Boggs introduced himself and
plunged in medias res Pm awfully
sorry, Miss Grierson, that you heard
what was said yesterday, and II
st is a matter of no consequence at
ALL" interrupted Miss Grierson, with
as much whitening calmness as if poor
little Boggs had called her picture
''abominably bad"
''Well, but you know, Miss Grier-
son." persisted little Boggs, II want to
explain l think you ought to know.
My friend-at least, Stretton, you
know-he said that purely out of spite.
He had quarrel with your father once
and he did that just to spite you; he
says SO himself.
81 thought it my duty to tell you,
and wouldn't be cut up about it at all
if I were you. l would just put it in
SHELLS window and let the public
judge. | did the same thing with one
of mine and it went off first rate Good
morning" And little Boggs Numbered
out of the room, feeling like fool and
looking much the same, it must be con-
feseed.
who was 1t, Edith?" asked Mrs.
Grierson, coming back to her easy
chair.
"Sorne one from the society, nam
ma" said Edith, sitting her rage.
Does anyone want to buy your pic
ture?"
NO, no, mamma; am only advised
to put it in SHELLS window. 1 shall do
it, and-well, we shall see"
"Abominably bad'' The picture
should so to SHELLS that afternoon, and
the public should judge, as Mr.. Boggs
suggested.
And to SHELLS it went, but not to re-
main long. The next morning, when
Edith passed the shop, no blue and
brick color Macbeth graced the win
dow.
With quite Sensation she entered
and learned that it had been sold an
hour before to a gentleman who would
like two more Shalsespearean subjects
if she would paint them.
She walked home as if crowned with
laurel and She entered the little semi
detached house as she would enter the
temple of fame.
The two Shakespearean subjects met
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