EPISODES 293 



See me ascending a crazy flight of steps, from the back 

 part of a store room into a large garret extending over the 

 store and counting room, and mark me looking round to 

 see how the light could be stopped from obtruding on me 

 through no less than four windows facing each other at 

 right angles. Then follow me scrutinizing the corners, and 

 finding in one a cat nursing her young among a heap of 

 rags intended for the paper mill. Two hogsheads filled 

 with oats, a parcel of Dutch toys carelessly thrown on the 

 floor, a large drum and a bassoon in another part, fur 

 caps hanging along the wall, and the portable bed of the 

 merchant's clerk swinging like a hammock near the centre, 

 together with some rolls of sole leather, made up the pic- 

 ture. I saw all this at a glance, and closing the extra 

 windows with blankets, I soon procured 2^ painter's light. 



A young gentleman sat to try my skill. I finished his 

 phiz, which was approved of. The merchant then took 

 the chair, and I had the good fortune to please him also. 

 The room became crowded with the gentry of the village. 

 Some laughed, while others expressed their wonder; but 

 my work went on, notwithstanding the observations which 

 were made. My sitter invited me to spend the evening 

 with him, which I did, and joined him in some music on 

 the flute and violin. I returned to my companion with 

 great pleasure, and you may judge how much that pleasure 

 was increased when I found that he also had made two 

 sketches. Having written a page or two of our journals, 

 we retired to rest. 



The following day was spent much in the same manner. 

 I felt highly gratified that from under my gray coat my 

 talents had made their way, and I was pleased to discover 

 that industry and moderate abilities prove at least as valu- 

 able as first-rate talents without the former of these qualities. 

 We left Meadville on foot, having forwarded our baggage 

 by wagon. Our hearts were light, our pockets replenished, 

 and we walked in two days to Pittsburgh, as happy as 

 circumstances permitted us to be. 



