The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-24
i" Observation-Disclosures:
|||||||.IiI The New Vicar. .II||||||
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

been piqued. but when she looked at
the painters face she saw something
there--ehe could not tell what IL was
that disarmed her resentment
Your vicar seems 10 have workmen
as remarkable as himself T" she said.
Good morning."
| daughter saIu 10 her mother, "What a
remarkable man that is He didn't
talk like "a workman. HIS worth study
ing. / wonder who he is"
Rather rude. / thought him" said
the mother. Some Socialist fellow.
| very probably"
The painter-who, OF course. was the
vicar himself-looked after the car
riage for few seconds, and then threw
down his paintbrush, went into the
| privacy OF hrs vestry. and had a soli
tary game OF leapfrog over the chairs.
II must do something foolish" he
said. TWAS too drol, Lady Tomkins
was unhappy, and her daughter was
] piqaed. The daughter will come again
to tell the vicar about his workman
l wish Jack Somers was here to have
| a bout with the gloves. | feel ready for
any exercise after that scene. Paint
Ing Is cramping workout il has TO be
done, and a do ii, so here goes again.
| Perhaps some other ladyship will do
me the kindness to call and entertain
| me-
| Two days later Miss Tomkins drove
| up TO the churchyard gate and alighted.
| The footman carried into the cnurch-
yard a folding easel a small canvas
| ana the other paraphernalia of an
| amateu rartist: then the carriage drovs
back toward the town. Miss Tomkins
| carefully selected position that prom
ised a picturesque sketch OF the church
| ara OF a cottage near IL: she then set
up her easel and began operations.
| lnere was no one else about, aud MISS
Tomkins wondered whether any one
was in the church: was the Young
| painter at work there? Palette and
brush I'm hand, she rose and sauntered
INTO the church. After looking all
around she wenl 10 the altar rails No
one was visible, though there was a
sound as OF some carpentering going on
The SOUND came from the vestry the
door OF which stood open A man was
there In his shirt-sleeves, saving vigor-
ousiy at piece OF wood. which was an
parently intended to be a new leg for
an invaltded form that lay on the floor.
The sawyer did not at first perceive
the presence Of a stranger, and il was
not until he had i'm workmanlke style.
cut through the piece OF wood. that me
saw Miss TOmkins.
You are carpenter as we'll as a
painter. ] find" said the intruder.
The vicar bowed II can put nv
hand 10 many ngs-fortunately."
Then he added. you too have come
over here to work, / perceive" indlcat-
ing as ne spoke the palette and brush.
Il suppose the vicar has no objection
10 my taking a sketch OF the church?"
why should he-provided, of course.
that you sketch IL well?'
Miss Tomkins felt that this was AL
most too much and there was a
twinkle in the speakers eye which ex-
pressed the consciousness that he
might be considered rude. But he
couldn't help himself; the spirit of fun
was rampant in him.
You can judge for yourself before 7
take my picture away. If you care To do
So"
Il had better not look at IL unit. II is
tlnished Do not artists object to snow
unfinished studies?'
But IL will be too late to alter II
when IL is finished. And you are your
self an artist in both wood and paint"
The vicar bowed at this. You will he
able TO advise me-" continued the lady.
An artist said the vicar who is
wiling TO take advice must be too
good one TO need advice from me-"
Here he bowed again. He found the
interview deliciously piquant.
The lady turned 10 go. but halted at
the vestry door II wonder whether
you are willing no take advice?"
Il hope so replied the vicar. put
ting down the saw and assuming an |
expeCtant attitude
Then should advise YOU to ner.uads |
the vicar TO beg new set of forms for |
this room. and to find you some more |
useful work than patching these old |
rickety frames OF worm -eaten timber
capital idea. New forms would |
hot cost much. II would save time and .
trouble IT, without ceremony. I asked |
you could not Chelp us no GET
new forms. i"
Miss Tomkins laughed.
simply take your advice" said the
vicar apologetically.
And will do what you ask. Let the
Vicsr send 10 Robinson's. in the town.
| VIII instruct him 10 make such forms !
as the vicar needs. My name is Tom
father is Sir George Tom
xins."
You are very generous. Miss Tom
Sins; IL shall be attended TO as soon as
possible Miss Tcmkins flushed a little
Nhen the carpenter addressed her bv
lame. "A most remarkable workman
The said To herself. Yet she couldn't be
'Hended-the fellows manner was per- |
ect.
Il must go back to my painting" she
aid.
And / must find some other lob
lDout the church." said the vicar
III was nearly two hours later that
he vicar, still without his coat and
'earing a workman's apron. emerged
rom the church, and walked toward
iiss Tomkins
came to ask IN you were still wish
vi that | should see your sketch while
is in progress"
Certainly. | can't finish n today If
omorrow 10 fine. shall come again"
The vicar discovered much i'm the
ketch To admire. and a little TO cor
ect. once or twice Miss Tomkns re-
ented the freedom OF his remarks: she
ehected, however. that she had given
ne man license TO say what ne .
leased. But when the painter-carpen-
'r. having finished his criticisms. droo-
cd In loun9ing attitude upon the
round by her side. and began to talk |