Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-18

& $40
Then maybe can drop in to see how
you are fixed -
This suggestion nettled Margaret; but
having entered the workaday world, she
realized smarts must be silently suffered
If one has ware s for sale. OF course.
his visi would be a bore. Evidently
from his hayseed appearance he was not
a patron Of art His comments showed
marked preference for the school of
Impressionists with which Margaret had
lite patience, having always prided her
self on the technique Of her work. Hav-
ing given him a card containing her adj
dress, she hurried home, feeling disgrun-
tied with the afternoons experience
Next morning hardly had breakfast
been finished before the stranger arrived.
carrying a. q: large, Observation-Disclosures
bundle
After taking an inventory Of the stu
dos furnishings, he seated himself. re-
marking: 1T s all mighty pretty: arts
tic culture, I reckon youdzcall it 3
Il 'spose you are just waiting for
orders?''
She nodded
-rsss".Can paint most anything you call for,
provided there's money enough in { 1t
was his next inquiry,
Surely the old man was q crank and
must be INDUCED.
"Painting,'' affirmed Margaret, 'is my
lifework; lineseed and turpentlne are 90
essential to me as oxygen and nitrogen;
miniature are my speciality.
Crossing over to : a: cabinet t. she .pTo-
luced some Of her work, highly credita-
bic.
.'They are Beauties said he ..'bu too
much like fine lace for an old codger
ike me to appreciate I've got daguer-
reotype of my mother that's exactly ike
her, so it was nothing along that line
hat wanted. Fact is, I've got two pic
lures in my mind that'll mean lots 70
metif you can put them on canvas ms 1ll
is one''-and with the toe of his boot ne
touched the package which ne nau
brought. Then, while chuckling to him
self. he stopped down, removed the wrap
ping, disclosing a crude, wooden oox.
-.'That was my hyar trap when | was !. q
boy. I've caught many an old molly IN
it. If you'll undertake the Job want
YOU to paint two lads opening this trap;
one must be little niger; have MN
grinning and handing out the hyar.
You must have a faint pink stealing
into the sky like comes with the crack
Of dawn when the frost has blackened
the .tater vines, and We'll call that pic
ture; Morning
margaret was impressed, but the
stranger had not finished Delving into
mis- pocket, a faded roll of cloth was pro-
ducsd.
The colors have faded, f.e explained
but the outline is correct. It's my
mothers sampler, showing the old home
1 want you to copy it. Have as a back
ground atleaden sky, with yellowish
sunset glow and hsre, to the right. put
IN a gnarled old oak, with a robin perch.
ca on one of its twigs and a chipmunk
down by the root; and the name Of that
picture will. be Evening
simultaneously a sigh escaped the old
man and the girl-artist. Could the SEN
t1ment the stranger had pictured be por-
trayed,. she wondered. But again his
hand was seeking his pocket This timy
a roll of crisp bills came forth as ar
assurance that the effoft was worth at
tempting.
Whenahe had gone Margaret felt dazed
and sl would have believed it sail a drva..,
but for the convicting presence of the
rabbit trap, sampler and money.
Faithfully she painted, with the per-
sistency Of genius, imparting to her
work vigor startling to herself and the
delineation was successful
The stranger was delighted. It was
with pride that he consented to their
Esi4CduSINy.s w men
. Z of the judges, however, affirmed they
would be- accepted by the Salon and ad-
vised their shipment abroad, a negative.
firm and loud. forbade their crossing the
water.
Margaret said the stranger, ..your
uncle Joe educated you specially to paint
those pictures. That evening in. the mu-f
scum where I'd gone to get a few point
ers SO as to be agreeabl to my artistic
niece. recognized YOU by the likeness
to Sister Mag. Then the idea struck me
to test you. No, those pictures are
mine, and Il want. $3.zs
II hope she interrupted, taking his.
rough. old hands in hers while the tears
trickrtd down her cheeks, Il hope you
want the artist. too.'
Yes, my child, God bless you; here
after, we II go together, like the -Helping
Hand; you remember the Old sailor and
the little girl? 7 on know liked that
idea it was companionship. And Un-
Gle Joe having completed his speech,
used for period, a fatherly kiss.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.
OF IS a56 volumes borrowed from the
Winchester (Eng!and) Free Library last
W -ie