The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-11-23
THE SAILOR ARTIST.

"Thcre now can breathe:" and tall
dark man flung aside discOl0red brush.
and leaned heavily against hammock swung
up ''petween decks on board n man OF.
war. "Be blessed if | amt little proud
Of that - he muttered again, in an under
tone, bis dark eve kindling as he gazed,
aud his swarthy face lighted up with sudden
inspiration. r.ue . ar.
Mellow!y the soft light streamed down
the hatchway, glowing over small surface,
upon whick was sketehcd, wiia vivid color
ing, the face Of beautiful child. 1t 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 repose of the fcatu; es, and
an infant grace which, diffuscd over the
countenance, gave it that rapt expression
! which the face Of an unconscious babe some
| times assumes.
"lIalloa, my boy, just in time - exclaim-
! ed the sailor. roughly lifting his noble head
| aud exposing beneath the rim of his blue
collar neck untainted by sunbrown. snow
| be off with you,' he continued, placing the
! picture in the hands of a small, timid look
| ing lad, 'and see if you can't make better
bargain than you did with my last. am
| going ashore tomorrow, to have spree,
and no mistake.o -.a "
"Jack, that spreeing will be the death Of
| you yet" said small, sprightly tar, as be
| sprang from the hammock where he had been
napping, sits too bad to see fine fellow
! like You going TO ruin.''
A frown and a half muttered curse, and
t'the reckless sailor turned away. lie knelt
down, and gathered mp the materials of his
work, placed them in bis chest.
Meantime, the boy who had been rowed
ashore, took bis 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 sparkle of
the sunshine on their calm surface. Fer an
hour the child stood patiently with The pie
tnrs in hand, holding it forth to every pas
ser by: some gaxed cnriously, others started
with astonishihent, and all appeared to be
struck with the beauty of the face, but meme
purchased.
Almost discouraged, little Kit as be was
called among the sailors, was about to give
up, and 20 10 his humble homo for bis din
Der, when he saw in the distance a gentle
man walking, accompanied by a beautiful
Yong lady, and feeling sort of PRESENT.
mentthat perhaps they would be customers,
he placed the picture in the best light, and
auxieusly awaited their coming. As they
drew near. ard caught sight of the painting,
they moved more slowly and spa!ly stopped
directly iu from, Of little Kit.
"Why, Henry" exc aimed the sweet look
ing girl, in slow, measured, and surprising
tones, ..it is the very image OF sisters little
Alice, Who could have known her? Who
could have painted this:
sit is, indeed. a most surprising likeness"
said her companion, abstracsedly; yet what
a holy face, i,has the expression she wore
Just before she died 60 you remember ?"
.sperfectIy. Little darlinr," whispered
the maiden softly and sendsrly, while her
eyes filed with tears. "lt seems as IL she
was before us now
~. is a soperior painting" murmurei the
gentleman, scrutInising i, more closely
awhere did you get it, boy ?" he inquired,
looking suspiciously at the child.
ssJack Halliday gave il 10 me TO sell for
him.. said Kit. ssIIe savs he's going on o
srreeto morrow," b. added ar;lessly.
"who is jack Halliday %
sswhv a usan of-waY,s man, on board the
Falcan. lying cut here in the stream.
"How came re ~ H. eonisr Z" eontin-
upd the gentleman, taking ~ the riesnre TO
examine IL.
"pA he made Il, said the boy eareless'y.
s.IIaaspt :" exclaimed the gentleman, ''he
mn.t be . rare sailor; how Eaaeh does he
AK for IL 50
/ al said the la, for sve doilars; he warts
me Is get seven for this, aud net les il so
( aater.- was Ehe reply.
..we,t.. said the gentleman, sskirs on
nj. rarsf. {f ae II rslealaiir- 90 snr -rfrt
sat of the money. fye i aneugh; bai ''t
rvs zoo scsan. as i res nb'es very much :
i Eu,s relative oi cu.s who has lately died