Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-31
The Young Artist.
A TRUE INCIDENT.

The Young Artist.
TRUE INCIDENT.
"Nettie, Nettie!" cried loud, eager
voice, como on now, want your eyes"
And in obedience to this strange call, 9
little girl about ten years old, answering
to the name of Nettie, ran hastily up stair.
to Il small room, in which her brother
Walter, young boy several years Older
than herself. stood before roughly made
easel, on which was stretched canvas
bearing the outside lines of face.
"Now sit right there" he said impetu
ously pointing to chair, and seizing ar
old veil arranged it artistically arounc
her head. And please don't talk, bu
Just sit still, and try to look like the
Roman lady we saw in the book"
And obedient little Nettie closed hel
lips at once, and opened her dark eyes
very wide, trying her best to look as she
fancied the Roman lady did when having
her picture taken, and thinking what Q
great boy her brother Walter was 10 be able
to paint such pictures.
Walter had talent for painting ant
drawing, but with such small means for
cultivating it that neither his father MOI
mother encouraged his efforts, and hi:
only help and sympathy came from the
little sister who loved him better than
anything in the world. and thought his
paintings perfectly beautiful.
And now in few weeks there was tc
be an art exhibition in the city, where
anyone might place his work on display
or for sale; and, inspired by Nettie'!
urgent encouragement, Walter had really
determined to try his best on a picture
with the fond but almost despairlng hopt
of selling it for enough to help him
hogin the study of painting.
"You know, Walter" Nettie had said
"God always helps those who keep trying
and do believe you will succeed"
| So, they had eagerly searched every
picture book for good subject, and aflel
much discussion selected pretty engrav-
ing Of beautiful Roman lady with large,
soft eyes, long dark lashes, and ripping
hair, half concealed by graceful veil.
That's the very thingr' Walter had
cried enthusiastically; land, Nettie, your
eyes are for all the world like hers, and
you can sit for me; she is just lovely"
A blush of pleased delight swept ovel
Nettie's face, and bright light came into
her eyes, that were indeed soft and dark
not very unlike the Roman lady's, though
the resemblance did not extend further
And thus it was that, having lost no time
in beginning the picture, Nettie was now
sitting before him while have been tell.
ing you all this. She was so pleased tc
think she could do anything to help him
and, do you know, so earnestly were heI
hopes bent on his success, in her love and
ambition for him, that every day she added
to her prayers the petition that God would
help him and bless his work?
AS the exhibition was only three weeks
distant, and he had not many leisure
hours for such work, Walter wasted no
a moment, and labored with such industry
that by the time the third week had begun
he and Nettie stood before the FINISHED
picture-she perfectly satisfied that nc
one could have done it better, he nervous
and anxious, seeing faults which she de
MED: the lady's face was TOO fat ant
round, her eyes had u stern, staring ex
preston. and her hair Just had ridges al
over it instead Of soft waves.
But just see how the eyes follow me
about, Walter" cried Nettie, proudly
land you said that was something so hare
to get right; don't you see, if l stand OF
this side she seems to be looking right a
me, and now when 90 on this side, |
looks almost as if her eyes moved too"
"Yes. that is true" said Walter NOR,
hopefully. II have certainly succeede,
we'll in that effect; and | believe" h,
continued with sigh of relief, taking i
altogether, it is the best picture hav,
ever made"
81 should say it isl" cried Nettio, de
cisively. "and you will sec," she addet
with beautiful trusting faith in her darl
eyes, eff 1t doesn't prove grand sue
cess"
Everything in connection with tho pic
ture and exhibition had been kept pro
found secret between Walter and Netlie
to be proud surprise for their father anc
mother, if q success, and in case of
failure-why, the least said the better
And now that it was finished, they hum
it in Walters room, having united al
their little savings to buy as nice franz
as they cound for it. Almost week We
must elapse before the opening of tn,
exhibition. and both Walter and Netti
wished it had been but day, SO fnll wer
their hearts Of hopeful expectancy. Ever,
night Walter fell asleep gazing at tn
Roman lady. and his eyes turned will
unhiling devotion on her first, whel
awakening.
Now, the only assistance employed By
their mother in her household work wa
u poor colored girl, who was what i
called "half-witted;" her vacant, ex
pressionless face told how little of tht
mind had been given her that teaches on
to act and think sensitly; but she wa
very obedient and harmless, notwithstand
ing the queer, foolish fancies that haI
given her the name of "Crazy Peggy.
Once or twice only, in her life, she ha,
been known to do strange things, an,
sometimes seemed possessed by foolis
: fears, making her timid and trightene,
of things in which no one else coul
imagine any cause for alarm.
, 1t was one of Peggy's duties eacl
morning to clean and dust Walters room
after he had gone to school for the day
! and the very first morning after the pic
, ture had been hung, she stopped righ
, before 1t and gazed at it as if spell bound
J again she turned away to 60 about herwor
, but glanced back nervously all the tim
: at the face on the wall with its great dar
! eyes, which seemed to the foolish girl /
t be staring fixedly at her, and followin
} her wherever she went. From one sid
} of the room to the other she moved, th
eyes really appearing TO move as sh,
, did, till, with her usual duties only ha
performed, poor Peggy hastily left th
. room. glad to escape the eyes that SCENE
to disturb her so.
The following morning it was inst. Il
qano onIv tho atronOn Inn nrnaoion nf 70,