Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- LANDSCAP® PAINTING. 15 Pennon looked up quickly to Farmer Percy. “ An oil-painting will be more durable,” said he, “and if you do not feel that I shall intrude for a day or two, I will copy this in oil for your daughter. It will be but a small re- . turn for the privilege of stopping in this beautiful place.” Clematis turned her bright eyes upon her father with a look which asked him to accept the offer. This he was glad to do; and before the meal was com- pleted, arrangements were eoneldded on. The farmer was go- ing to the village that morning for men to help him cut the grass in his meadows, and he would stop at the hotel and get the box containing canvas, etc., at the same time that he in- formed the landlord of the whereabouts of his guest; and bade him take care of his other baggage until called for. That afternoon an impromptu easel was set up in the rose- shadowed and rose-scented parlor of the old farm-house. What pen could hope to picture the charm of those swift-footed hours stealing by, while Pennon painted, talking at the same time in his instructive, fanciful, and original manner to mother and daughter, as they sat, with their sewing, listening and an- swering more by smiles and interested looks than by words? Sometimes Clematis sang, at his request, and then he painted with more wonderful swiftness and effect than ever,—his brushes seemed to fly of themselves, his colors to take on rare ™ tints, until the picture glowed in an ethereal softness of atmos- phere more beautiful than the loveliest reality. Ah! the sturdy farmer did not guess, much as he was de- lighted with the scene, that giving him that picture for a few days’ board and lodging, was like giving him a costly pearl or diamond in return for a toy basket: It was on the fourth afternoon of his stay, that at his so- licitation, equal with her daughter's, Mrs. Percy gave the fam- _ ily legends connected with the string of emeralds which Cle- matis had fount! in the well. _ A soft wind was blowing auikitigy” the” voseay ahd: distant glimpses of the landscape he was working upon could be had from the open windows. The very witchery of present romance seemed hovering about the young couple, while the still handsome mother took up the romance of the past. “You must know,” began the matron, with a look of pride comicbooks.com