The daily gazette., 1877-06-09
THE CHILD ARTIST,
BY B; co.

7is s1oi0 a. IdEIT l7TF IT4lI8.ar . .....
9li1o II g BY co. ..f.
There was a low, timid knock at Mr.
Hilton's back door, which, after some
little delay, was opened by a girl who
was busy in the kitchen preparing tea
She felt in no good humor at the inter-
ruption, and her feelings of iH-temper
were not ameliorated when, she saw,
standing on the doorstep, little, poorly
| clad girl, whose face suffering and
| Want had blotted out all that freshness
| and bloom which always give a certain
1 charm to the features of childhood when
| they have no pretensions TO beauty, or to
\ delcacy Of outline. sa-
l II expected to find a beggar at the
door. and ain't disappointed Fsaid Min.
da, the girl who opened the door. "What
do you vant ?" she inquired, in a sharp
angry voice. oN h..Y --no.-
A quick blush passed over the child's
face, and there was deprecating look in
the dark, mournful eyes, which were
raised to Minda's. if'' 'lnm a.ii u
81 thought that, perhaps, you would
give me one OF those fine peaches for my
brother" said she, pointing to a tree
which grew near the garden fence, and
whose boughs were bending beneath
their burden of luxurious fruit, nov
glowing in the light Of the evening sun
beams.
sit is a mighty modest request for a
beggar to Make" said Minda. "If you
want a piece of bread, Pll give it to you,
but who ever thought of giving beautiful
ripe peaches to such as you ?" 'iaii ld
"Winnie is sick, and has been begging
of mother all day to buy him peach,
but she hasn't penny ia the world, so
told her that perhaps some one would
give me one for him." ~ .i -.iI la
During this colloquy child seven years
}old, her head covered with soft, brown
curls, and her blue eyes unconsciously
filling with tears, stood at the door, which
opened into the kitchen, earnestly listen
ing. When she heard what the little
girl last SAID, she darted ap stairs and en-
tered the room where her father, who
had returned home half an hour earlier
than usual, was reading the newspaper
to her mother while waiting for tea. She
approached her mother softly and whis-
pered some request. Mrs. Hilton. gave a
smiling assent, and the child with a joy-
Gus bound had already nearly reached
the door, when her father looked up from
his paper and said A-4f 1.i
"What is 1t. my daughter ?"
"Ihere is a little girl at the back door,
who wants peach for her sick brother,
and Emily wishes to give her one," said
Mrs. Hilton. ,u p. 10. ..
"May ?" said Emily, addressing her
father. 49,.
eyes, a dozen, if you please"
'FThen I'll fill my little willow basket
with them. 1t will hold full dozen,
know it will. If uldonly reach some
OF those large ones at the top of the tree,
that look so ripe and mellow"
81 believe must lend you helping
hand" said Mr.. Hilton, laying aside his
newspaper.
go, can hear Minda shutting the door
now. She has turned her away. But
never mind-I can Overtake her."
The next moment Emily stood at the
outer door of the kitchen. The little
girl, with dropping, sorrowful look, and
tear-stains on her pale cheeks, was just
closing the gate.
"Come back" said Emily, 'sand you
shall have plenty of peaches for your sick
brother, and for YOURSELF too. l have
got leave togive you this basket heaped
up full" n NJ t'' q. ---. r :rfI
"Have you ?" said the girl, in quick,
earnest voice, which was full of joyful
surprise. no W
"Yes,. and father is going 10 allow me
to gather some OF the largest and ripest
enes." I.uAa aH - .. .rl i-l -r--i
Mr.. Hilton, at this moment, made his
appearance and placing garden chair
beneath the tree, to enable him to reach
the higher limbs, the little willow basket
was not only soon filled, but plenty of
them which had accidentally fallen, were
lying among the grass. Emily, in the
meantime, had selected some sprays of
the bright green leaves which she quickly
arranged among the glowing fruit, height
ening by contrast its rich, delicious hues,
and making it appear more tempting.
"There," said Emily handing her the
basket, 81 want you to carry it home just
as it is now, because the peaches look so
beautifully among the green leaves, it
make them taste better" q, .., ry
The look of sadness was now all gone
from the little girls eyes, and instead
they sparkled with delight, as she placed
the basket on her arm, dropped courtesy
and murmured her thanks. ,r o.
''Mother loves to look at whatever is
beautiful" said she, "and SO does Winnie
He always smiles, when he sees the ray
of golden sunshine stealing in at the top
of the windew. He drew bird one day
with piece of charcoal, and he is going
to draw another, as soon as he can get a
piece Of paper"
"Stop one minute, and take some
peaches to eat by the way. Here's plenty
OF them" and Emily put as many into
the little girls hands as they would |
hold.
"Won't you tell us your name, my lit
tie girl, before you leave u.s." said Mr. |
Hilton approaching her. |
ella Selby, sir"
"ADd you have brother who is sck?''
"Yes, sir, he has had fever, and don't
seem to get over it."
"How old is hep"
"He will be ten next month"
Mr.. Hilton's next care was to ascer-
ain where the girl lived, which he
wrote down on blank leaf in his pocket
,ooG