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The Artist of the Beautiful
Itwasmarvelloustowitnesstheobtusegravitywithwhichhewouldinspectthewheelsofagreatoldsilverwatchtherebydelightingtheowner,inwhosefobithadbeenworntillhedeemeditaportionofhisownlife,andwasaccordinglyjealousofitstreatment.Inconsequenceofthegoodreportthusacquired,OwenWarlandwasinvitedbytheproperauthoritiestoregulatetheclockinthechurchsteeple.Hesucceededsoadmirablyinthismatterofpublicinterestthatthemerchantsgrufflyacknowledgedhismeritson’Change;thenursewhisperedhispraisesasshegavethepotioninthesick-chamber;theloverblessedhimatthehourofappointedinterview;andthetowningeneralthankedOwenforthepunctualityofdinnertime.Inaword,theheavyweightuponhisspiritskepteverythinginorder,notmerelywithinhisownsystem,butwheresoevertheironaccentsofthechurchclockwereaudible.Itwasacircumstance,thoughminute,yetcharacteristicofhispresentstate,that,whenemployedtoengravenamesorinitialsonsilverspoons,henowwrotetherequisitelettersintheplainestpossiblestyle,omittingavarietyoffancifulflourishesthathadheretoforedistinguishedhisworkinthiskind.
Oneday,duringtheeraofthishappytransformation,oldPeterHovendencametovisithisformerapprentice.
"Well,Owen,"saidhe,"Iamgladtohearsuchgoodaccountsofyoufromallquarters,andespeciallyfromthetownclockyonder,whichspeaksinyourcommendationeveryhourofthetwenty-four.
