Middletown transcript., 1894-05-12

"Poor Maggie" | said, softly under
my breath.
"Why do you say that?" she cried,
almost fiercely. 81 amt sorry bout
anything, an Dicks as good to me as
e can be. Mighty few women's got
such son, l reckonl"
After that we neither spoke till the
clock struck 6, and stepped back to
view my work.
It was truly the best thing I had
ever done, and another hours work
would have finished it, but the light
was going fast, so l began to put away
my paints and brushes and Maggie
gathered up her things to leave.
81 wish there was something l could
do for you," said I, as slipped coin
into the old woman's hard palm. l
felt more sympathetic now that my
work was done, and her story seemed
to mean more TO me than when was
wondering whether to use giay or
brown for her faded eyes.
Her face frightened at the words.
s'Some time," she faltered, slowly,
''if you could paint Dick-jest a little
thing, for me-"
"Gladly," l answered; "but when
and where can see him?n
"Why, 'e-" she stopped. "Som
time, p'ha S, you'll see in, an
1 'ope you'll like i'm. 1 should like to
ave you know my son, Mister Carroll.
Goodnight, SIR"
And she was gone.
l had just got back from dinner,
when there was a knock at my door,
and Doctor Davis came in unceremon-
iously, was used to having him drop
in about that time in the day, and
rather enjoyed chat with my gentle
manly landlord, for, though outwardly
grave, almost to sadness, he displayed,
at times, grim humor that was vastly
and was, moreover, t /
man of education and refined tastes.
He rarely spoke Of himself and kept |
his cloak of reserve we'll buttoned Up
his chin--sometimes l even thought |
he turned the collar up to ward off all |
personal questions. But 1 knew him
to be a physician with limited prae-
tice, and fine house up on C.
street. besides the row Of lodging
houses from 115 to 121 West Lambert
street.
"How are you, Daviss" l said,
changing my position.
"As well as this beastly weather
permits any one to be-" he replied,
taking the only vacant chair. 1.-THE
fog is so thick outside you could drill
holes in it and blast it with gunpowder. I"
But his attention was attracted just
then to my easel.
"What's thisy' he cried, and moved
The lamp to get better view,
had my back to him, so, after
ong silence, l wheeled around to say,
rather iinpatiently. fear, as l did not
his hesitation:
well, how do you like ity''
ITS truly fine, Carroll. l never
lreamed you would do anything like
his. Why. my dear fellow, your repu-
alton will be made"
felt very much gratilied for Davis
.as something of a critic and his
opinion worth having, but it wouldn't
Dc manly for me to show my pleasure,
10 l only said, indifferently:
"You think it will go, them"
"Gol Now, look here, Carroll, |
want this. Name your own price, but
must have it."
"You've seen Maggie, of course,
haven't you-the old woman who
cleans the halls hereq"
eyes, often" he answered slowly.
''Do you think it is like her2"
Every like-and yet-older and sad
ler-looking someway. DON'T you think
o?"
mo. She looked just like that To-
lay. She's to pose again tomorrow,
or, rs you see, it's not quite done yet.
This hand needs touching, and the
lress should be worked up a little
nore.''
"Yet, l wouldn't touch it if ! were
7ou. It's Just perfect how, and you
night do too much, you KNOW
"Nonsense,n / said, rather vexed at
lis tone.
Il must 60 along now," he said, but
oning up his coat. "I've some business
n the next house-119."
I noticed for the first time that he
ooked i'll, and tried to make him take
ome brandy before he went out, but
le seemed in hurry, and couldn't
'top, |,
"Good-bye," he said, "and remember,
he picture is mine.''
1t was hot, clammy night, and
after Davis leftI threW the windows
'pen as far as they were made to be
brown, and got as far out of one of
hem as l safely could, by fitting my
chair back and extending my legs out
INTO that underlined everywhere called
he wide, wide world.
So Davis had bought my picture and
was to name the price. Well, he was
rich man, thought complacently,
md my price grew in size the longer l
thought about it. 1t did not occur to
me that receipted hill for three
Iponfhsf rent, due last week, might be
Justly considered as part payment. l