The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-03-19


. day or two. The beautiful lady with
the big eyes that had SO long "made
. fool" Of old Guttman was carefully
wrapped up, and the artist, with
pleasant goodnight. walked of with his
long-coveted treasure.
"Bah!" said the pawnbroker, a few
moments afterwards, as he stood before
the empty frame.
/ "Bahl" he exclaimed again. with q
SILVER, as he put up the shutters, and
hid the three balls from sight for the
next few hours.
"Bah!" he repeated later in the
night, as he woke from dream about
Nina and her mother.
Old Guttman made his fire earlier
than usual the next morning. Some
times the pawnbroker had made little
more coffee than he needed for himself,
and saved a roll for Nina. This morn
ing there was generous cupful left in
the coffee-pot; but breakfast passed and
no Nina. The forenoon and the after
noon also went by, and the little one
still absented herself. Evening came,
he opened the door and looked up and
down the busy street, ostensibly TO find
ont about the weather, but really to see
II he might not catch glimpse Of Nina.
He was about to close II again. when
the child appeared on the threshold.
20 Guttman dear" she moaned as
she stepped inside, 81 was beaten so
badly that could not get up before,
and can never, never, Guttman dear,
| 60 back to that place again
I" You shall stay with me-" the pawn
broker replied, standing in front of the
empty frame. ~ save de coffee for
you this morning, and two nice rolls"
he went on.
"Oh, give them to me now, please"
the little one replied, for am, oh, so
hungry, Guttman dear"
"Come with me-" said the pawn
broker, extending his hand without
moving from his position.
"Thank you," she replied with
plaintive politeness which touched the
pawnbroker's heart, ssbut move, please,
Guttman dear, and let me see my dear
mamma"
| The mans face flushed. He moved
as he was told, obediently, mechanical
", without word. There was nothing
to be seen. The picture had passed out
of his possession and out of Nina's sight
forever, and there was nothing to be
done, as well as nothing TO be seen.
For moment the child stared at the
empty frame, and then with trustful
smile she said, looking wistfully about
her :" Where have you put her now,
Guttman. dearP"
~ She is not here any more, Nina"
the pawnbroker answered, turning his
face away. "I-I-haf sold her"
"Where has she goneP- the little
one cried, clutching Guttman's arm as
she spoke. Her eyes filed with tears.
40 Guttman dear, where has she
gone? Tell me who has got my mann
ma now"
"A great artist hat her. He will hang
de picture in his studio for the nice
people 70 look at. Ii Will not be like
old Guttman's shop. All, no! no! II
viii be de paradise for de big eyes and
de beautiful face"
"Yes, yes, Guttman dear, but who
il hep where does he live?" the child
pleaded.
"Up town; can not tell you where,
the pawn-broker answered, walking
away troubled and repentant because
he had grieved the child
30 mamma, mamma, what shall |
do? what shall do P" the little one went
on. and burst into sobs. al have been
thinking of you all day, q mamma,
dear mamma, and now you are gone;
what shall dop"
Old Guttman walked into the next
room. This scene was too much for him.
II Nina had reproached him. he could
have borne 1t better; but there was not
word Of remonstrance. A moment
after, the pxwnbroker heard the door
open and shut, and thinking customer
had entered, he walked back into the
shop; but to his surprise no one was
there, not even the poverty-stricken
sorrow-strickcn little Nina. She had
gone out again, cold and hungry, into
the great busy, selfish world, and old
Guttman felt as IL he had lost a child;
and as be glanced at the great gilt frame
out Of which had gone the speaking
eyes and tender mouth, il seemed TO
him as il he had also lost friend.
That evening the great artist had
reception at his studio, and after the
visitors-had all gone, he went out with
q friend for q stroll In the cool evening
air. The portrait had been greatly ad-
mired by his visitors, and after minute
examination by brother artist, it had
been left standing on the floor at the
side Of the room.
When the gentleman entered the
studio on his return at about ~ O'Clock,
a strange sight met his eyes. A little
girl, all In rags, sat on the floor by the
side Of the portrait, her head leaning
against the picture, fast asleep. In her
hand was the card she had taken from
the picture-frame, with the artists adj
dress upon il.