The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-07-17
A L"borer Seriously Injured by Land
Slide.
charles Garrow, anod soldier, was seriously

by the good people of Rockmanton al
man with sud side OF his life. II,
was always alone, and during the tire,
years he had lived in "Roselle" no
body had learned anything about hin
HIS face betokened kindly heart with
IN; he might nave been forty or sixty
1t was the face of comparatiyel,
young man aged before his time.
Only a few days previously no hac
stopped in front Of Mrs. Peck's shoE
~ the High street, and had been
struck with the cleverness which
characterized pair of pictures in
the window. One represented a
storm, with the mighty waves fight.
ing one against the other for the
mastery, while It's companion was a
contrast depicting a peaceful morning
on rock bound coast with the sea al
rest. tie inquired the painters name
and address, and made him the kindly
offer.
On the afternoon that his letter
had reached its destination, he was
seated in the cosy parlor of ''Roselle'
when his housekeeper announced
Mr.. Jack Barton" In another mo-
ment Jack was standing before his
unknown friend.
"Sit down, myboy. sit down." said
James Robertson. 80 you are re-
sponsible for those two pictures in
Mrs. Peck g shop, eh'
Yes, sir, Jack replied
well, they are exceedingly clever
Now let me see what you have brought
to show me.
And quickly dozen sketches were
upon the table. every one of which
James Robertson scanned with the eye
of connoisser. After examining
the last he threw it down again
with the explanation
well, you shall do it. l wanted to
give my commission to man who
had spent his life on the sea. The
man who paints my picture must hear
and see every wave as he depicts it
with his brush. Now l can trust you
to do this. l will tell you the subject.
A girl standing on the seashore, look
ing out to sea, as If watching and
longing for some one to CONF. She
must be d beautiful girl. just blossom
ing into womanhood, with--yes, fair,
brown hair. You may clothe her as
you will: as tisherman's daughter,
only the face must be thee. | have
only one copy of the face l want
you to paint; cannot let it go, but
you can come here and work. Then
when you are ready to fill in the
background you can go back to your
home and paint the seashore with its
cliffs and rocks. AS to what l will
pay you, let that rest can afford to
reward you literally.
James Robertson seemed to realize
that sad side of his life which every
body in the town associated with his
name. With sigh suppressed but
unmistakable, he drew from his peck
ct an old brown, leather pocketbook.
and with a touch of gentleness took
out few letters, as though they were
precious to him. Then he found
small packet, which he looked spon
as though he longed TO press it to his
lips, but he was not alone. From
this he took tiny curl of brown
hair and laid it in the palm of his
hand as if it were too great treasure
to place elsewhere; and then small
portrait, evidently taken from the in
side of brooch. The restrictions
seemed more than he could bear, and
never needing that he was not alone,
he bent his head in his hands by the
niantel board, and with sigh 81 a
man broken hearted, stood quietly
there for some time. Then, rousing
himself, he said:
"Ah take no notice the sight of
these reminds me OF those | still love-
Now, just look at that pictures could
you enlarge upon it?'
: at was the face of beautiful
woman about twenty four years of age.
Jack started little when he saw it,
and said:
81 shall not forget that face. "
eyes," said James Robertson, sad
ly, "she was very beautiful.
"But, SIR" Jack said, IL do not
think | need work here. Let me work
at my home. May ! look at the por-
trait again, sir? and will bring your
picture finished before many weeks are
gone. You may trust me to do it,, y
the young fellow said, earnestly; "you
will not be disappointed as to the
IF the likeness. "
Jack was so sincere that James Rob
ertson had not the heart to offer any
to the course he proposed.
jacks luck was on the tip of every
body's tongue in Bracebridge, and
when old Job Bates said: II twold
ZEE as how the body was born to psant
picters." there was not dissenting
voice. 1t was now nearly a month
since the date of James Rober tson's
commission, and but the last few
finishing touches were required to per-
feet the picture. Addie had sat daily
70 the young man. and when he told
her how his unknown friend had bid
him paint the girl looking for some
body, she said:
"Well, l shall look for you, Jack,
all the time" =,
She made pretty picture, with
her bright eyes and fair brown hair,
and when the youthful artist came to
na;nt the rocks and moss covered
Powders behind her, and the sea gent
Iv coming toward her feet he would
90 down to the seashore with her, and
fbe old folk would shake their heads
and say: >,
which the girl would simply reply
.sI,m very happy
uAt last the picture was complete. |
Jock wrote TO his friend that he
wnmld bring it on Monday. Once
aaa;n the carrier stopped at the fisher
Cans door but this time it was not
aor A ddie TO remain behind and wave
bar hand to her lover until he turned
ne .io road at the top of the hill, but
lack and his sweetheart sat side by
"a in tbe cart, SO that "Mr. Robert |
SON might see what the real thing was
liz lie - a. least, SO said the light
hearted painter.
The old mare seemed to go more
-,I.ni,, than ever, but at last Rockman
slo" as reached AMI the two young