The Story of a Picture

"The Story of a Picture" by Douglass Sherley is a poetic narrative written in the late 19th century. This book can be classified as a short story or a romantic fable, exploring themes of love, hope, and the complexities of human emotion through the lens of a young man's connection to a beautiful picture. The story captures the timeless contemplation of love's uncertainty, reflecting the societal nuances of the period. In the tale, a young man becomes captivated by a crayon drawing of a girl, symbolizing his hopes and desires. As he displays the picture in his home, it becomes a focal point for his emotions, intertwining his feelings of love, doubt, and longing over time. As the seasons change, so too does the expression of the girl in the picture, mirroring the youth's internal struggles with uncertainty and fear of rejection. Despite the evolving nature of the image, his yearning remains steadfast, encapsulating the poignant relationship between love and expectation. The story ultimately leaves readers pondering the nature of love and the burdens of duty, as the youth awaits the girl’s elusive answer to his unasked question. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Douglass Sherley was an author, journalist, and poet. Sherley was born and lived in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He was born into a wealthy family with interests in railroad companies and inherited the family's estate. He graduated from Centre College and then studied law at the University of Virginia. He worked as a journalist for the Louisville Courier-Journal beginning in the 1870s despite his millionaire status. He wrote poetry and short stories which he published using his own wealth during the 1880s.