The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-11-24
TIE SAILOR ARTIST.

"Thcrcl now can breathe:' and a tall
dark man flung aside Il discolored hrush.
and leaned heavily against hammock swung
up .'oetween decks on board man Of.
war. 'Bc blessed if amt little rroad
of thatn' he muttercd again, in an under
tone, his dark eye kinjIiug as he eazsd.
and his swarthy face lighted up with sudden
Inspiration.
Mcllowly the soft light strcamed down
the hatchway, g!owingayer a small surface.
upon whick was skelched, with vivid color
ing, the face Of beautiful child. Il was
painted upon wood, the surface Of which
was smoothly finished and polished. But
one indifferent to the art could but be start
led at the exceeding perfection Of the color
ing, the sweet reposo Of the featu. es, and
an infant grace which. difiused over the
countenance, gave it that rapt expression
which the face Of an unconscious babe some
times assumes.
"lIalloa. my boy. just in tmel' exclaim-
cd the sailor. roughly lifting his noble head.
and exposing beneath the rim of bis blue
| collar a neck unraiu;ed by sunbrown. s'Now
be off with you," he continued, pacBg tie
picture in the hands of small. timid look
ing lad, "and see if you can't make Il better
bargain than you did with my last. | am
going ashore tomorrow, to have spree,
and no mistake"
"Jack. that spreeing will be The death Of
you yet" said small. sprightly tar. Ms be
spraug from the hammock where he bad been
mapping. sits too bad TO see fine fellow
like you going to ruin.'
\ lrown and half muttered curse, and
the reckless sailor turned away. lie knelt
down, and gathered mp the materials Of bis
work. placed them in his chest.
Meantime, the boy who had been rowed
ashore, took his accustomed place near the
square. Through the long perspective of the
street. the blue waters Of the Mediterranean
could be family seen by The vivid spark Ie Of
the sunshine on their calm surface. For au
hour the child stood patiently with the pie
turc in hand, holding it forth to every pas
ser by; some gaxed curiouslv, others started
with astonishment, and all appeared to be
struck with the beauty of the face, but none
purchased.
Almost discouraged, little Kit as he was
called among the sailors. was about to give
up. and go 10 his humble home for his din
net, when he saw in the distance n gentle
man walking. accompanied by beautiful
yeunE lady. and feeling n sort Of PRESENT.
ment that perhaps they would be customers.
he placed the picture in the best light, and
auxiously awaited their coming. As they
irow near. and caught sight ofthe painting,
they moved more slowly, and finally stopped
directly in front of little Kit.
why, Henry" exc aimed the svee. look
iag Girl, in slow, measured, and surprising
tones. sit Is the very image Of sisters little
Ahcet Who could have snownher2 Who
could have painted thiss''
at Is, indeed, a most surprising likeness"
said her companion. abstrausedly; yet what
a holy facet shas the expression she wore
jast before she died 60 you remember ~
''perfectls. Little darling" whispered
the maiden softly aad teudcriy, while her
eyes filled with tears. ''ls seems as if she
was before Us now"
81. IS superior painting" murmured the
gentleman. scrusiniziBg il more closely
"Where did you get it, boy :" he inquired,
looking snspiclously at the child.
slack Halliday gave it to me to sell fer
him,' said Kit. "iIe SAYS he's going on
spree Tomorrow be added aFtlessly.
"Hho is Jack Halliday 90
"Why q man of wars man, on board the
Falcon, living cut here in the stream"
"Elow came be hy it. wonder :" contin-
aed the gentleman, taking up the picture to
examine it.
''0h he made IT." said the boy care.esslv.
"ilumph ~ exclaimed the gentleman, she
must be a rare sailor; how much docs be
ask FOR iss"
81! sold ths las. for ere dollars: he wants
me to get seven for this. aud not lie, il 20
sni"r," was the reriv.
"Nelt.'' said taa cnrsisusar. taking cut
bic Fas~a, Il he IS celebrating On tsna spree
nrs ef tae money FIVE Is enough. ba, ~!
give yoa seven. ~ IL resembles very much Z.
little relative Of eugs WAC has lass!v died.