Rocky Ford enterprise., 1893-09-21
MR.. PARGITER, THE GHOST

MR.. PARGITER, THE GHOST.
How Lady TomlinsoA Developed Her
Individuality.
When first knew Gwendoline GIL
bert very nearly fell in love with her.
At that time 1 had penchant for
healthy-looking girls; and, being young.
l WAS an ardent admirer Of the British
blonde. Gwendoline Gilbert was Hy-
gem herself; Emma, Lady Hamilton,
when she was in the service Of Dr.
Graham, the quack, could not have
looked the part more thoroughly than
did Gwendoline How 1 adored that
girl! At that time, you know, Mr..
Burne-Jones hadn't invented the young
lady with the tously hair, the ungainly
attitudes, the green complexion, and tho
prehensile toes; 80 It was quite perulis-
sible to admire q girl who looked like
the goddess of health. She was a
parsons daughter; she hadn't y penny
in the world. Sir John Tomlinson was
the member for Ratcliff Highway, and
had made pots of money BY the adulter-
alton of the poor mans becr-I beg
his pardon, I take that bnck i mean
by his improvements in the art Of pro-
ducing malt liquor Of a superior descrip-
ton. He came, he B2w he conquered; (;
Of course he did. Thoy were married,
they started on their honeymoon; and
went to Herne Bay for a fortnight In
u huff, and wrote my celebrated mono
graph on Sour Grapes"
Lady Tomlinson was nice. beautiful,
and, as We all know, as good As gold
She was by no means inclined to en-
courage society philanderers; and from
what those gentlemen caped her stand
on" way, and from q certain diEncllna-
ton toward gossip and scandal and
small talk, and private thsatricals and
Elusic-hnlls, she got the reputation Of
being rather stupid. At any rate. In
spite of her beauty and her husbands
millions, Gwendoline was not altoesth-
er a social success. Now, husbands,
as we all know, are brutal persons;
they have q nasty trick Of not mincing
matters with their wives, and Of call
ing a spade spade.
Look here, Lady Tomlinson," said
Sir John Che always called her Lady
Tomlinson), you don't shine in society;
you're not q dancing woman, nor q
talking woman, nor q political woman,
and you amt littery. wish to heaven
you'd develop some sort Of individual
ity Of your own, Lady Tomlinson."
Lady TomNnson retired instantly to
her boudoir and had q good cry. For
three whole days did Lady 1'omlinson
brood and mediate, mud then she sent
for Mr.. ParEiter, the painter.
Mr.. Pargiter hastened to 0resont HIM
self at Palattal Crescent W.
'Mr. Pargiter," said Lady Tomlinson.
'T want to paint-r want to paint In
oils"
"Oh, certainly, Lady Tomlinxon," said
Mr.. Pargiter; and he smiled aud rolled
his eyes, and rubbed his hands, and
bowed. Mr.. Pargiter was too much Of
a gentleman ever to contradict Indy,
besides being q popular art teacher,
with highly aristocratic connection.
Therefore, he would have said, ''Oh,
certainly" II Lady TomlinAon had
wanted to learn to danco on the slack
wire.
ri want you to give me lessons. Mr..
rargltsr," said Lady Tomllnson. II
mean to exhibit at the Royal acad-
Smy," said Lady Tomlinson; II mean
to be distinguished amateur. and ]
want you to show me how, and give me
lessons, Mr.. Pargiter."
"Oh, certainly" said Mr.. Pargiter.
Pray name your own terms," said
Lady Tomlinson; expense is no object
but I want the whole thing to be Q se-
cret from my husband and my friends
Can we begin tomorrow
"Oh, certainly" said Mr.. Pargiter
once more.
And then Lady Tomlinson handed
Mr.. Pargiter check for q substantial
sum, and requested him to attend al
10 o'clock the net morning with what
she called the necessary outfit.
Next day, at 10 precisely, a four.
wheeled cab containing Mr.. Pargit2r
a large easel, several canvases, numer
ous brown paper parcels, aud & lay fE
ure, drew up at the Tomlinsons' house
In Palatial Crescent Mr.. Pargiter wui
shown at once into hor ladyBhip's bou
doir.
Now, Mr.. Parsiter," said Lady Tom.
linsOn, when she had welcomed the ar.
tist, II should like you to paint me an
ideal head"
Mr.. Pargiter stared at Lady Tom.
linson and suggested that the usual
what he be- called the roundS Sx in charcoai coal
"Mr. Pargiter," said Lady Tomlin.
son, you wouldn't refuse to oblige 9
lady. I'm sure shall learn much more
easily by seeing you work Ny idea
you know, was that you should paint
and should look on-just at first, you
know, till get my hand In"
So Mr.. Pargiter began to paint the
head Of what he called q two-guines
rustic. Mr.. Pargiter was accustomed
to dispose Of heads Of this description
to Wuggles, the frame maker and pict
ure dealer, for forty-two shillinss. II
would be labeled:
Original Oil Painting, by ParRiter.
"A, 4s
IT want you to leave the background
till the very last" said Lady Tomlin
| son.
"oh, certainly" replied the artist.
81 believe you artists" said Lady
Tomlinson, often smoke while you
paint. Are you a SMOKER, Mr.. Par
| giterT"
II work twice as well when smoke, u
said that gentleman; and there was q
knowing twinkle in his eye a. he said
the words.
Lady Tomlinson left the room; she
returned with a box Of Cabinet Par.
tagas.
These are what Sir John smokes, y
she said; pray make yourself at home,
Mr. PQr1iter"