The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-03-11

forever, and there was nothing to be
done, as well as nothing to be seen.
For a moment the child stared at the
empty frame, and then with a trustfIl
smile she said, looking wistfully abopt
her s. Where have you put her noss,
Guttman, dear?"
g She is not here any more, Nina, -
the pawnbroker answered, turning mis-
face away ssI-I-haf sold hers
Where has she gone?n the little
one cried, clutching Guttman's arm as
she spoke. Her eyes filed with tears.
40 Guttman dear, where has she
gomez Tell me who has got my man.
ma now.''
"a great artist hat her. He will hang
de picture in his studio for the nice
people TO look at. 1t will not be like
old Guttman's shop! All, MOI mol 1t
viii be de paradise for de big eyes and
de beautiful face.''
Yes, yes, Guttman dear, bur. who
is he? where does he Gve?" the child
pleaded.
"Up town; can not tell you where, I"
the pawn-broker answered, walking
away troubled and repentant because
he had grieved the child.
90 mamma, mamma, what shall /
do? what shall l do?' the little one went
on, and burst into sobs. 81 have been
thinking OF you all day. o mamma,
dear mamma, and now you are gone
what shall l doP''
Old Guttman walked into the next
room. This scene was too much sor him.
If Nina had reproached him, he could
have borne it better; but there was not
a word of remonstrance. A moment
after, the pawnbroker 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-stricken little Nina. She had
gone out again, cold and hungry, into
the great busy, selfish world, and old
Guttman felt as if he had lost child
and as he glanced at the great gilt frame
out of which had gone the speaking
eyes and tender mouth, it seemed to
him as if he had also II lost friend.
That evening the great artist had a
reception at his studio, and after the
visitors had all gone, he went out with
a friend for a stroll in the cool evening
air. The portrait had been greatly adj
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 y O'Clock,
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 it.
The great-souled man understood the
story as well as if it had been told him.
His heart was touched. He took the
child in his arms, and placing her in the
care of one who could give her the SYM
pathy and love of mother, little Nina
awoke in the morning to warmth and
sunshine, to the light. of her mothers
picture, and to pretty clothes and ten
der, loving words.
l can not dwell on Nina's after his
tory. She grew up true and beautiful
woman, and the great artists picture of
her, painted abroad, was the gem of the
Academy, and made for the noble man
a wider reputation than he had ever had
before.
Nina never forgot the old pawn
broker, and always called him friend,
and "Guttman DEAR" just as in the old
days, and his occasional visits to her
home were among the brightest mo-
ments of the old mans e.-Eleanor
KIRK, IN Youths Companion.