Year: 1878

at her command (their husbands
both living on a salary, she was
not inclined to be very domestic,
and with the exception of her front
parlor, her housekeeping was sadly
neglected.


Now if she was to receive Mrs.
Webber in her sittingroom. the
place was to be made worthy such
a charming home body to be enter
tained in.


81 have neither piano, plants, cat,
canary, nor baby" she soliloquized.


There are books enough, but |
am not at all studious or literary.
There is the sewing machine, too,
and the work baskets, but my sit
ting room must not sinkto the level
of mere sewing-room." She did
wish she had fernery, if nothing
more, for the bay window. Then
like an inspiration came to her the
thought OF her old disused easel
that she used to think such pret-
ty addition to the sitting-room at
home, she ran up and brought it
down from the rubbish closet in the
back chamber. A soft flannel, u
little linseed oil and good deal of
polishing made it look as well as
eyer, and standing in good light
in the bay window with an untin.
ished sketch upon it, showed that
some one loved pictures and the
making of them, and gave the key
note to the arrangement of the
room; for in every apartment must
be some idea to be carried out in
detail else the true effect is lost;
and although there may be plenty
of pretty things in it, it becomes a
room without character.


The easel, torminga peculiar and
distinctive feature, awakened so
many possibilities that she hardly
found the day long enough to carry
them out. Her husband, man of
much natural refinement, was de-
lighted when he came home at
night. He said the room was an
ideal studio, and running up stairs
soon came back with u large port
folio stuffed with pictures which
he scattered artistically about,
completing the charming effect


"When did you get them !" his
wife asked, III surprise.


"They were brother Jacks, and
have been, ever since his death,
with other traps in that old hair
trunk. l intended to give them to
you after we were married, but you
gave M your drawing and paint
ing entirely, you know. haze
been very sorry, and now | am de-
lighted that you are thinking of
taking it up again, for | had great
pride in your talent, which thought
almost amounted to genius.' At
ter that Mrs. Garfield could not
bear to tell her husband why she
had brought down her neglected
easel, and the neSt>day, after she
had finished her housework-and
for some reason she saw more that
needed doing than nsual--she pre-
pared her pencils, and went to fin
ishing up Il sketch commenced
years before. The old love grew
upon her as she worked, and she
found an hour or two to devote to
it every day. When Mrs. Webber
fulfilled her promise of calling soon,
she found very absorbed little la
dy at the easel in the bay window.


They talked about pictures, OF
course, and Mrs. Webber, after
looking over Mrs. Garfeld's work,
with much interest, recommended "A
teacher whom she well knew.


A year later Mr.. Garfield met
with an accident which will disable
him for life. They were dependent
upon his salary and had lived well
up to their income, therefore it be-
came necessary for Mrs. Garfield to
do something for their support. 1t
was required that drawing be taught
in the public schools of the city. III
which they lived. Mrs. Webber's
father was on the school board,
and through that lady's recommend
alton the situation was procured
tor Mrs. Garfield at a good salary.
Soon she began to design, and now,
aside from her school duties, has
regular work in illustrating books
and papers for publishers, and is
growing to be almost famous AS an
artist.


Her acquaintance with Mrs.
Webber has developed into a warm
friendship, and both ladies often
bless Bridget's blpnder, which
was the means of their getting ac-
buainted-after knowing each 9th
er for years. And Mrs. Garfield
looks upon that first sitting-room
call as u direct act of Providence,
whose mysterious workings have
formed aud elevated her character,
and have been the means of saving
herself and her husband from pow
erty and dependence.


One OF two Young ladies who re-
penflv yisitad tha ,.ity tram th.,