The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-19
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
(Concluded.)


Tom was telling a story at the dinner
tnble. He had told the family that the
most exciting thing he had ever seen had
happened at school that day. and they
were all listening intently. "You see.
,aid he we're forbidden to throw any
snov,-baiIs after the bell that's rung for
us TO come in at recess; but today the
bows kept on pelting each other after the
bell rarg. and Mr. Eastman came run
ming out TO stop them. There were lot
OF us down at the bottom of the yard and
another crowd going into the school
house Wen, he stood near the middle or
the crowd that was going In, ana shout
ed out: "Stop that snow balling lmme~
diatoly. boys" Then he turned round into
the crowd and just then
Tom was going TO say Billy Anderson
threw a SNOWFALL that nit him square on
the back Of his head. But suddenly he
reflected that he had not seen the snow
bah bit him. He had only heard some one
say, Did you see old Eastman's head?'
Still. most of the boys seemed TO think
It hit him somewhere; they were not all
sure about his head. Then it would
make so much more of a story If he
could say the SNOWFALL hit him on the
back of the head
well" said Eleanor. don't keep us
in such a dreadful suspense"
"He turned round in.o the crowd"
went on Tom. land just then Billy An
derson fired a SNOWFALL right into the
middle Of the crowd. l don't know
whether IL hit old Eastman or not. but
some Of the fellows say it hit him on
the back Of the head; but anyway, he
turned round and gave Us a terrible talk
ing to; and that's the reason why came
home so late from school"
sfXEfn cai1 Giles THAT Is CuCl an
exciting anecdote 1T fairly takes my
breath away
And so the story ended in laugh. in
which Tom joined as heartily as any
body.
Some OF the worst paintings in the
world are family portraits. There seems
TO be some dreadful fatality about them;
and yet fathers and mothers OF families
continue 10 lave them taken Mr.. Adams
was persuaded to have his picture paint
Cd; and for the artist he selected a distant
cousin whose poor circumstances recon-
mended him more than his talent He
worked on the picture for 4 great many
sittings: and az last ii WAS sent home.
Most Of the family said they would never
have known IL. Tom thought one eve
was natural and Giles admired the
Painting OF the frock coat.
''Weli, It's all very we'll 10 criticise."
said MIR. Adams; but some one really
ought TO go and thank him for his trouble
snd care
There was some discussion as 10 the
necessity Of such a step; and finally il
vas decided that Tom and Eleanor should
80 Immediately.
BY the time they reached .hc studio
Eleanor had framed her speech of thanks;
and she could hardly wait TO be admitted
before beginning II.
Mr.. Shepard " she said. I'VE ell want
20 thank you for the trouble and pains
you have taken in painting Papas picture.
The picture shows the care you have
taken. And Papa must be hard to paint.
Will you accept cur thanks?"
She held cut her hand so frankly and
pleasantly that MIR. Shepard could rot
but be pleased
Il am so glad that you like it," he said
ccrsider II an excellent likeness my
SELF BUT 10 think that you are all agreed
that II is good. is more than could have
hoped"
Now Eleanor had not said that thew
were all agreed that Ii was good "Au''
included Tom Of course He considered
a moment whether he should speak up
or not. IL he did. it would hurt MIR. Shep-
aros feelings. IL would also put Eleanor
In an unpleasant position and himself i'm
worse one. Why not leave well enough
alone?
M afraid you don't understand FL
eanor, Mr. Shepard" he said II think
oil the family is Obliged 10 YOU for the
careful work you have put into the pic
ture, but" he continued, disregarding
Eieanor's frantic efforts to stop him.
''as for myself. cannot honestly say
that i consider II q good likeness"
Eleanor tried to reprove Tom; but Mr..
Shepard checked her Excuse me, Miss