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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1889)
WKST SHOUK. 21; " He's ashamed to have her Bee him," she guessed shrewdly. As it was one of the peculiarities of the lady to confide in all persons with whom she was on speaking acquaintance, Marie had known for a long time of the skeleton in the Pattern closet. Here he's been two years a-practicin' ho calls it," Mrs. Pattern had told the girl. " Lord I the money we've spent on him, without his earnin' so much as a dollar. It makes me sick to think of it." Then the lady had thrashed about and worked the harder, a9 though by her frugality she would make good the useless expenditure. One day Charl stood watching Mario as she deftly formed the petals of a tobq with her brush. " Will you take a pupil, Miss Marie? " he asked. Marie turned wonderingly. " I would like to learn." Then he closed his mouth and his heavy, hand some face was set in its almost lifeless mask, as though he had never uttered such a remarkable request. The day following Mrs. Pattern glanced into the library, and started back as if sho had seen an apparition. Charl sat busily working at a canvas. Day after day his industry continued. At the ta ble they discussed light and shade, to Mrs. Pattern's open-mouthed astonishment. When it became rumored on Cliff street that Charl had artistic tastes, young H'oilo began calling at the Pattern mansion. A re sult of this co-mingling soon appeared in the forma tion of the Sea Gull Artistic Society, and. to Mrs. Pat tern's great elation, her Charl was elected president. " Well, I vum! An I thought he wan't good for nnthin' but wnshin' dishes! " was her exclamation. She was extremely penitent, and treated her son with due homage. Young ladies and gentlemen were now continually calling, and Charl worked harder and harder. A short time later Mrs. Pattern nearly fainted as she read in the Ct'fi Daihj AYw the rejHirt of a meet ing of the Essex Club and the remarks of the dub's flint. " Mr. Charles Pattern, the rising young artist." " He's a-gettin' on wonderful," exclaimed the proud "ther. "He's as smart as I thought him lazy," and she hustled around the noighltorhood sounding Ins praises. A stranger had rented the adjoining estate while the family of tho owner were making a Kuropean tour, j Mrs. I'nttern had much desired an acquaintance, m the new neighbors encouraged no social intimacy. A jwnjt lady was often seen walking on the Mull". "' tH. dignified, white-haired gentleman drove away from tln house every morning. "Their name's Ooldthurst," Mrs. Piitl'" j nouncvd, triumphantly, one evening at tea. " I " 11,1 it" n box that conio by express, (ioldthursfs a queer name, I vum. Just the right name for such stuck-up folks." Charl took no interest in the next establishment, but labored on his canvas diligently. He was work ing out an original design, he told his mother, and that lady echoed it throughout the entire artistic circle. It was resolved that on the completion of the picture a reception should be given in honor of the event. " We'd ought to lie willin' to pay for a celebration," Mrs. Pattern declared, "it's the first time he's done anythin'." Delicately scented cards were circulated through the "street," apprising the fortunate-recipients of the near approach of the day when the original design would lie exhibited. Mrs. Pattern's cup of happiness was full when she received a note from Mrs, (ioldtluirst accepting the kind invitation, and sho determined that the reception should 1m oiio that would afterward Ihi referred to as the event of tho season. She resolved, among other things, a surprise for Charles. Conse quently her son had hardly left home for tho city on the day before tho unveiling, before the Pattern car riage whisked out of the gate. An hour later it whisked in again, and, drawing up More the front door, a man descended and ran nimbly up the steps. Mrs. Pattern meeting him in the hall, he was at once conducted to the library, where hung the picture. Iteside it on the table stood a decanter of port. " I thought you'd be tired after your ride," mmo gized the lady. The man allowed a generous quantity of the liquor to How down his throat, gave a longing Its.k at tli. de canter, ami advanced to the picture as Mrs. Pattern withdrew the cloth. The man looked and blinked. " It's a-" : " Yes, that's it," encouraged Mrs. Pattern. " A sea serpent." Now, had Charl leen more omii with his mother the wrong could have I n righted at onee. Mrs. Pat tern gave another hasty glance at tho canvas. It did resemble a sea ser t, and the man's exultant ton.-s ronvineci I her. "C.hiiII" she cried. " You've hit it." XI mn drank another glass of port ami re- entered the carriage. When Charl arrived home his proud mother thrust into hi hand the Hmmvj Vhttm ,,. An article marked with blue H'iieil n-nd Our n-iwrtor called at r"0 mansion thla morning, wl .m rewarded by P I""" U MM!! to-morrow to U.a elite of Mnn. The artltt baa ad. .ved . wonderful bU.IIng of sky and water, and the prtul eon t01ir of (ha hup ophidian, as be plung a not In p ay ml yti, ineaki of ran-ful itody and ihi.wa handling of difficult Mb li t with a boldneM aurprialng In an amateur. The roomi of the artist overlook the ocean, which fact may nwwnt for th