Audubon County journal., July 06, 1899, Image 5

About Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993

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[Copyright, 1890, by Clinton Ross.]
Mr. Peale bent lovingly over his fa
vorite subject, putting a touch here,
there, and standing back to note the
effect. In the shadow cf the rear of the
room Don Juan Mirialles, the unac
credited representative of his Spanish
majesty, nodded approval, yet made the
very remark of Washington Irving, a
generation after. "No artist catches his
best look.''
"No, M. Mirialles," said Mr. Peale.
"That maddens me."
"Still, I like it," said the don, wag
ging his head wisely. "I must have my
copy in a hurry."
"It's keeping pace with the original,
and, indeed, is almost an original it
self. There it is against the wall, be
hind the screen. They are nearly alike,
.are they not?"
Jvj "Yes," said the don critically. "I
can hardly tell the difference, I de
clare.
"Wait until they may be finished,'
sw*
Mr. Peale interrupted irritably.
"But they appear almost so now."
"Oh, yes, to you but it's the last
touch that tells. I never know. Per
haps I may not be able to put on that
last touch which leaves a portrait liv
ing."
Don Mirialles smiled at this exhibi
tion of the artistic temper and asked
how many times the artist had done
that subject.
"Let me see—first in 1873, when the
three miniatures of the Custis children
were done in addition, and then that
bust study was made that is in the cel
lar. Since, the general has given sit
tings in 1876 and again in 1878. But
he changes, the artist went on.
"The spirit acts on the face," said
the other sympathetically.
"Yes," Mr. Peale said, "and per
haps you have to see a bit into a man's
heart to paint him properly, and the
heart of a man of action never beats
two years alike."
"Don't forget that in my copy, mon
sieur. I suppose I can't cajole the coun
cil to let me have this. But I don't
know that I wish it. Mine will be al
most as good."
"You may believe I shall do what I
may, "said the painter, remembering
how generous a patron was this noble
man.
The visitor was sure that Mr. Peale
certainly had and would, in view of
the fact that his Spanish majesty wished
to look on the face of that wonderful
general of whom the world waa now
talking.
Mr. Peale's black servant, Burton,
brought in wine and cakes, when Don
Mirialles' enthusiasm increased. Un
fortunately he went on in the vein of
explanation he must act in America
through the French minister, but that
would not be always. When he return
ed to Madrid, he would make them un
derstand that the- king of Spain should
recognize the United States.
Now he rose and bade Mr. Peale a
courteous good day. He had a round of
visits to make.
Alone, the painter touched the can
non on which his subject's hand rested.
Yes, more was to be done on the face,
but his visitor had frightened the mood.
Perhaps that last sitting would give
the impression he lacked.
When Burton announced Miss Ron
ald, he sighed and threw his brush
down petulantly. For a moment he
could see every line of Eleanor Ronald's
charming figure. Her portrait had been
a labor cf such devotion as the artist
may give to a subject appealing to his
temper.
"Well, of course, show her here." he
said at last.
And, rising, he pulled his coat into
some shape and ran his fingers through
his hair.
"Oh. Mr Peale!" said a laughing
voice.
Yet in some way the face did not
laugh. He saw how serious this delight
ful person was.
"Do be seated." he began clumsily.
But she had walked across to the
Washington and was gazing at it with
questioning eyes.
"What is he like?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't know! Everybody has
an opinion."
"And there is the portrait." said she,
smiling.
"Oh I didn't say that!" said he.
"I know you didn't, you delightfully
modest man, but I did."
She turned her gloves with her fin
gers as she l'aced him.
"You told me he would be here this
afternoon," she said.
"Ah, I did!"
"I—I want to'see him."
"I beg your pardon, but I am afraid
he would not like it," he said bluntly
"You must have seen him often."
"Yes—yes—that isn't it. I wish to
see him when he is not thinking of
duty. He's in town but for two days.
I might go to his quarters and find he
was too busy just to meet a girl"—
"The most charming young lady in
Philadelphia," said the gallant Mr.
Peale. trying to apologize for his blunt
ness.
"Oh, you needn't say that!" she said
wearily. "I am the most miserable."
Her eyes filled with tears. Poor Mr
Peale fidgeted.
"I shall be glad, but I am fearful he
will say I ought not—charming as you
always are."
She looked at him fixedly. And he in
some way could not resist what he saw
in the face. Ah, had he not studied its
every line Perhaps since her painter,
he was even weaker than the others.
He thought that today she looked old.
As a matter of fact, he knew she waa
26. No one of the admired of that town
ever had more adorers. She was said to
be heartless, as men and their women
friends think this of woman whom
they admire much, and who may be
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rather disdainful. Suitors by the scdre
had charged and retreated, for more
than her personal attractiveness was
that of her being a great heiress of
Pennsylvania. But the personal quan
tity now was blurring Mr. Peale's
judgment.
"I want just this favor of you," she
went on—"to be here when he comes
In. He will not think that strange."
"I don't know that he will."
At the moment Burton announced,
"General Washington."
The painter ran the situation over
hurriedly. But another glance at his
visitor left him conquered. Yet he ex
postulated this far:
"You know he comes here as a favor
to me. I only have this day. He leaves
Philadelphia tomorrow."
"And this is a favor tome," she said,
turning the fire of her blue eyes on
him. Her reddish hair at one side had
escaped from its fastening. The low
broad forehead, the thin flushed face,
the small mouth, the graceful figure in
a fitting gcwn, left him no alternative.
"Well? Show his excellency—here
at once," he ended to Burton and turn
ed to bis palette, not looking again at
her, until presently were heard foot
falls and the beat of his excellency's
spur.
"Well, Peale, I found time. You
ought to thank me."
"That I do, indeed, your excellency,
you may believe."
"Sitting for a portrait has become
almost a second nature. I sit, and then
tomorrow I shall be back to duty, end
less duty."
"And perplexity," said the painter.
At the moment the geneial saw the
young lady who was in the shadow. He
stepped back embarrassed and rather
angry. What did Peale mean by hav
ing somebody around Then he remem
bered his manners and bowed courte
ously.
"Ah," he said, "Miss Ronald. Stuy
vesant Ronald's daughter."
"You remember me, your excel
lency," said the young lady,"giving her
hand. "It is good of you."
"Ah, how could I forget you?" said
he.
"It is against Mr. Peale's request
that I am here, sir," she said, bending
her head.
"I don't blame Peale. I am very
glad, I assure you."
"I wanted to see you so much," she
said, "and there seemed to be no other
opportunity."
"Ah. yes," said be, suspecting.
''Is it true that—that Captain Jermyn
has been condemned"—her voice caught
—"to die?"
He looked at her quickly.
"You are a friend of Sir Henry's
captain?"
"He is—my betrothed," she said.
"Ah, I didn't know that," said he.
"I didn't know it."
"It is not known," said she hoarsely.
"You understand now why I wished to
see you?"
"Yes, yes," said he, losing his self
control. "I know, and I am sorry—so
sorry, Miss Ronald, believe me. He is
a charming young gentleman."
"Yes," said she.
"But the evidence is against him,
Miss Ronald. What waa he doing dis
guised in our lines with the plans of
the fort in his pocket The court has
decided, and—I can't give my influence
against it. How can I? Is he better
than Captain Hale?"
"Yes, he is," said she.
"Oh, I know. Miss Ronald. It is hor
ribly hard for you, and I am sorry. But
I must say what I said at the opening
of the war when my own good friend,
Colonel We'ub, asked me to have him
immediately exchanged. It would give
me pleasure to render you any service
"What good docs his life do yout"
in my power, but it is impossible for
me to comply with your request with
out violating the principles of justice
and incurring the charge »f partiality.'
He wondered if shg would sob. He
hated to think of her tears, and again
he muttered low at Peale's tactlessness.
The artist stood fidgeting in the back
ground.
But she did not sob. She only turned
on him with dry, flashing eyes.
"Sir, you have spoken as I thought
you would. Captain Jermyn was but
doing the drty assigned him. If he and
his half dozen men were in citizens'
clothes, it was because he had that or
der from his general. As for the plans
of Fort Clinton, these were given him
by another, whose name he will not
utter"—
"If he would!"
"But he won't."
"No I wouldn't if I were in his
place."
"And yet," she went on, gathering
anger, "your excellency will not turn
a finger to save him, when you could."
Her voice sank to helplessness, and
she caught herself in a sob. "What
good does bis life do yon?"
YXT -', i"
"The example," said he. "Don't yo*
see I must?"
"What is the example to me?"
"I know, poor girl. I know."
"And I hate your excellency."
She rushed past him, not sobbing
then, and they heard the swish of her
skirt in the hall, and all was still for a
moment till Washington said:
"Well, Peale, I am ready."
"I hope your excellency will forgive
me."
"Oh, she's very—yes, very pretty! I
bave no blame for you. She almost
made me say what she wanted me to."
"Yon are very good," said the artist.
"Oh, don't be bothered," said the
chief, smiling. "Do goon."
Yet Mr. Peale's cunning of eyes and
hand seemed to have deserted him, and
that hoar's sitting was altogether un
satisfactory. When his sitter had gone,
he decided to take a turn in the air to
see if that might put this mood away.
An hour after Burton was asked by
Miss Ronald if Mr. Peale were in. No.
Might she not see the portrait again?
Burton did not hesitate and left her
in the studio.
Did she wish to ask of that face how
she liiight bring the original to her pur
pose? The figure stood firm, the hand
on the cannon. The boy and the horse
of the right, the line of soldiery of the
background, the two officers at the left,
but\brought out theforcefulnessof that
one personality. So he dominated all in
this war. He appeared to Eleanor Ron
ald of pitiless strength. What had led
her here to look at it after that inter
view? She could not have told. She
had said it was the wish to apologize
to Mr. Peale. But, finding him out, she
had asked to see the portrait. Now,
looking at it, her heart was full of de
spairful passion. Everything had been
tried for Captain Jermyn, and last of
all she had made her appeal and had
failed. The portrait seemed to take the
place of the original. She hated it as
fiercely as she did him, as much as she
loved John Jermyn. One of those in
tense natures that give all, she could
be everything that is exquisite in wom
an, could be honest and faithful to the
last, and yet, when it was the peril of
one she loved, she could be a mad wom
an, and now it was madness for the
moment.
The afternoon sunshine fell over the
figure, bringing out the details. Yes,
its mocking strength appalled and
shocked. Not knowing what she did,
she seized a brush and made a daub
over the face that suddenly became
leering. Turning with a low cry she
hurried out through the hall to the
waiting coach, and in a tone trembling
so that the man stared gave the order.
What had she done? she asked. She
knew only too well, and she had but
hurt Mr. Peale. That calmly strong
figure was as much out of reach as
ever. Self loathing left her ill and gasp
ing as the coach drew to her door. So,
pale and listless, she reached her room.
On the desk was a letter, and she start
ed, noting the hand and the seal. Tear
ing it open she read:
Dear Neix—Igot away. I will explain later.
But I am unhurt and in New York. I just have
reported to Sir Henry and now hasten to ap
prise you of the fact. Y'ru, dear,
Jack Jekmyn.
SS©*?®
jfffJHEN y°u
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A few moments after, all dead in ner
heart save a passion of self abasement,
she ordered her coach. Bnt one course
was clear. She must go directly to Mr.
Peale, whom she had hurt. Yet when
started she knew she could not. She
confessed she was weak. It was easier
to go to the general, whom an hour be
fore she had so hated. Yes, his excel
lency chanced to be in that moment,
the orderly said at the door. Some min
utes after he was free to this undenia
bly handsome young lady, who gazed
at him with sad, staring eyes. He
watched her, courteous and bowing.
"I am glnd for you, Miss Ronald—
and privately for myself—to tell you
that Captain Jermyn is out of our juris
diction through a most daring escape.'
"I know, said she.
He stared, wondering why she ex
pressed so little elation.
"He wrote you
"Yes, he has written me."
"I thought that might be the case"—
he began.
"Don't speak to me kindly!" she
broke out almost fiercely. "I can't bear
it, for I am beneath contempt. Oh, sir,
I have been mad!"
"I know," said he soothingly, "how
you must have felt.
"And what did I do? I hated you. I
could have killed you. I went back to
Mr. Peale to apologize to him, and, not
finding him, I went in—I don't know
what prompted me—to look at the por
trait. I wanted to study you, I think:
to find how I might move you."
"Yes, "said he. "I must have
seemed
hard."
"You did—horribly hard. Well, the
sight of that face—your painted face—
maddened me—and—and—I took a
brush I found and daubed it."
He looked at her in astonishment.
"And you only hurt Mr. Peale."
"God forgive me, I only hurt Mr
Peale.''
He walked up and down. This was
worse than before Trenton. Yet she
did not seem the least hysterical. His
heart stirred, for she was very pretty
and in distress.
"My dear young lady," he said
soothingly, "don't feel so badly. Come
with me to Mr. Peale. I will explain
nil and put the blame on myself.
"But you did not daub the portrait.'
"Ah, yes, by proxy: I made you do
it.
A smile broke through the tears that
would come. "Oh, sir, if you would
help me that much, I should go alone
and tell him. but with you—I shall be
braver."
"Then I am not so bad, after all?"
"Do not talk of being bad—after my
example," she cried.
"But I know your provocation—your
highly nervous state over Captain Jer
myn. That explains the whole situa
tion to me, and it must to Mr. Peale.
Come, I will go now, and, despite mat
ters. I will wait long enough tomorrow
to give him another sitting. That ought
to be enough after the number cf times
he has tried his hand on me."
Giving an order, he led her to her
waiting coach, and staring folk on the
street saw the great man driving with
Miss Ronald and guessed and gossiped.
"Yon are the greatest man in—in
FRIEKD 0F
your friends are in a hurry
for any kind of a conveyance, day or
niglit—and prompt service or careful driv
ers, drop in at the
Hicks Liverv Barn
at East Exira, and they'll fix you out with
the best service for little money. Two big
barns chock full of
Fast Horses and Strongly
Built Conveyances
and will give you the best service procur
able. 'Bus to and from all trains.
CHAS. VAN OORDER. President
JOHN McDANIELS, Vice-President
ED DELAHOYDE, Cashier
Coll ctions promptly attnded to.
Mony to loan on good securities.
Exchange bought and sold.
m?
FAMILY.
FOLEY'S
HONEY and
TAR
IS THE
GREAT THROAT and
LUNG REMEDY.
FOR SALE BY W. A. HAMLER, DRUGGIST.
TRANSACTS A GENERAL
BANKING BUSINESS
EXCHANGE
RANK
EXIRA
IOWA
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A Daily Problem
Solved
the world," she was saying.
"Next to Captain Jermyn," he said,
smiling.
"Yes, after Captain Jermyn," she
said. "Yon know that the easiest way
to make a woman think yon are a great
man is to try to please her."
"I wish congress were a woman,
then," said he.
"But, oh, ycur excellency, how can I
face Mr. Peale':"
"Don't mind," said he. "We will—
together. I don't believe he can be
worse than
tthe
it's discouraging work to fill the lunch bag day
after day. It's uninviting to open the lunch bag
and find the eternal bread, bread, bread. Bread is
good, but it's monotonous—it lacks novelty.
Break the monotony with the new delicacy—
Uneeda
Biscuit
Nutritious—healthful—satisfying. Uneeda
Biscuit
are sold
only
package which keeps them air tight and moisture
proof. Never sold in bulk. Ask your grocer about
Uneeda Biscuit.
king's men at Long Is­
land."
At the door Burton met them and
stared snspicionsly at the young lady.
Of course he knew, she said to herself,
and involuntarily she caught her es
cort's arm, and so, clinging to the gen
eral. she entered the stndio.
Mr. Peale looked around from the
canvas on the easel. If he started at
first, his face fell into courteous indif
ference.
"Mr. Peale." she began, anticipating
the general, "I did it."
Her voice, her bowed head, declared
self abasement.
"What?" said he.
"Let me explain," the general inter
rupted. "You heard the conversation
when Miss .Ronald asked my favor for
Captain Jermyn?"
"Yes."
"Returning here to apologize to you
for having forced herself on my pres
ence in your studio, she saw the pic
ture, and, forgetting that it was not
the original, daubed it."
She listened with beating heart, and
heard Mr. Peale say easily:
"Why, the portrait is untouched I
There it is."
She raised her head and saw in won
der the full length of the general.
"And then I dreamed it?" she cried.
"Yes, think yon dreamed it, and
don't be bothered, please," Mr. Peale
went on. "I know how you were
wrought up about Captain Jermyn. I
understood perfectly."
"I did it, then?" she asked abject
edly.
"Oh, it will only make me but a lit
tle trouble!"
"I am so. so sorry, and yet it is there
untouched," she added, staring at the
portrait.
"I don't see what yon mean, Peale?"
the general himself said. "You have
fixed it up again
"No," said Mr. Peale, looking at her
uneasily. "The fact is, I had replaced
the original on the easel by a copy I
was making for Don Jnan Mirialles.
"You dear, dear Mr. Pealel" she
cried, and, stepping up to him, to his
embarrassed delight she kissed him,
which Captain Jermyn forgave when.
Ions after, she confessed it.
"Do you approve of coeducational
schools?" asked the father of three live
ly boys.
"Oh, they have their advantages and
their disadvantages, of course," said
the person to whom he appealed. "I
judge from your course with Harold
that you are in favor of the system.
Professor James tells me he is a very
bright scholar."
"Perhaps so," said the father doubt
fully. "Bnt I had a little conversation
with Harold yesterday that stays in
my mind. I said pleasantly to birn,
'Harold, somebody told me the other
day that the girls and boys at Codman
hall were better known for caricatures
and puns than for scholarship.'
'Oh,' said Harold, 'that all comes
of the story that's leaked out about the
sketch made on the blackboard by Ann
Drew Ann drew Andrew Andrews and
rues it I' "—Youth's Companion.
Morgan's Riflemen.
The rifle corps which Morgan formed
from marksmen from the whole Revo
lutionary army is usually referred to
as "Morgan's Virginians," but, as a
matter of fact, two-thirds of them were
Pennsylvanians, including a consider
able number of Pennsylvania Germans.
One of the latter, a Mr. Lauk, who was
with Morgan from the beginning to the
end of the war, waa the last survivor
of the corps. Once, when Morgan was
asked which race of those composing
the American armies made the beat sol
diers, he replied: "As for the fighting
part of the matter, the men of all races
are pretty much alike they fight as
much as they find necesaary, and no
more. But, sir, for the grand essential
in the composition of a good soldier,
give me the 'Dutchman'—ha starves
well."—Harper's Magazine.
..:
4.
in anew and novel 5 cent
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Clever Enough to Vote.
A keen witted fellow, despite his
general ignorance, was brought down
to the courthouse to receive the rights
of citizenship.
"Name the capital of the nation."
said the judge.
The applicant scratched his head.
"I can't just place it, judge," he
said, "but you name over a few of the
towns and I'll tell you when you strike
it."
"Is it Chicago?" queried the judge.
"No."
"Is it St. Louis?"
"No."
"Is it Arizona?"
"No."
"Is it Washington?"
The candidate looked puzzled. He
hesitated.
"Say, judge." he slowly replied, "if
thet ain't the place it's a close shot I"
He got his papers.
Another candidate was brought in by
a well known local politician.
"Let me see what you know about
geography," said the judge. "Suppos
ing you and Mr. Blank walked straight
down to the lake and started across it,
going due north, where would you
land?"
"On the bottom," said the candidate
promptly.
He got his papers too.—Cleveland
Plain Dealer.
Side Lights on History.
The mole connecting the mainland
with the island on which that mighty
city Tyre had stood invulnerable for
centuries was at last complete, and
Alexander the Great was overseeing in
person the work of the great battering
rams that had been placed in position
and were thundering against the walls
of the beleaguered city.
"Your majesty," said a flunky, re
spectfully touching his pasteboard hel
met, "dinner is served in the royal
tent."
"I shall eat no dinner, replied Alex
ander, with a look of noble resolve on
his youthful but majestic face, "till I
have punctured the enemy's Tyre
I
Out of this incident grew the custom
of alluding to Tyre as the Windy City,
a title that has come down with the
ages.—Chicago Tribune.
Resentment.
"Clementine is awfully matter 06
fact."
"She is?"
"Yes she quit speaking 'tome be
cause she dreamed I said a whnla lot of
mean things about her."
Ex Treasurer
State of Maine*
N*f 5
'y
Three years ago I was all run
down, weak, exhausted had
indigestion, constipation, and
my system was debilitated in
general. Physicians did not help
me and I began taking Dr.
Miles' Nervine. Now, I am
as well as ever.
chas. a. white,
Ex-Treas, Stata of Maine, Qardiner, Me.
rJ\x
:s1
1
99
DR. MILES'
Restorative
Nervine
is sold by all druggists on guarantee,
first bottle benehts or money back.
Book on heart and nerves sent free.
Dr. Mile* Medical Company, Elkhart, Ind.
"me
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m.
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