The Red Cloud chief., 1882-07-06
THE L ARTIST.
4 True Incident.

"Ncttie. Ncttier' cried a loud, eager.
voice. "comc on now, L want your
eyes,
And in obedience 10 this strange call.
n little Girl about ten years old. answer
ing la the name of Nettic, ran hastily
upstairs IL a small room. IN which her
brniher Walter, a Young boy several
wears older than herself, stood before n
roughly-madc easel, on which was
stretched 4 canvas, bearing the outlines
oi a face.
Now. sit right there he said inn
pctuously, pointing To n chair, and
srizing an old veil. arranged it artistic
ally about her head. And please
don't talk. but just sit still. and try 10
look like the Roman Lady we saw in the
} book"
And obedient little Nettie Closed her
lips Mt once, and opened her dark eyes
very wide. trying her best TO look rs
she fancicd the Roman Lady did when
having her picture taken, and thinking
what a great boy her brother Walter
was To be able to paint such pictures.
Walter had a talent for painting and
drawing, but with such small means for
~cuiiiva;ing il that neither his father o
mother encouraged his efforts, and his
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 Il few weeks, there WAS
tobe al art exhibition inthe city, where
any one might place his work on dis
play or for sale; and. inspired hy Net
, ties urgent encouragement. Walter had
really determined 10 try his best on n
picture. with the fond but almost de-
spairing hope of selling it FOR enough
10 hep him begin the study OF painting.
You know. Walter" Nettie had
said. God ALWAYS helps those who
keep irving, and / DO believe You will
succeed
80 they had eagerly searched every
picture book for a good subject. and
after much discussion selected n pretty
engraving of n beautiful Roman Lady
with large, scft eyes, long, dark lashes,
and ripping hair, half concealed by \
graceful veil.
".That's the rcrg thing,' Walter had
cried, enthusiastically; land, Nettie.
, Your eyes are for al the world like
hers. and YOU can sit for me; she is just
loyelyr'
A blush of pleased delight swept over
Neiiie's face, and q bright look came
into her ewes. that were. indeed, soft
and dark, not very unlike the Roman
ladv's. though the resemblance did not
extend further. And thus it was that
having lost no time in beginning the
picture. Neitie was To- sitting before
him while / have been telling You all
this. she was SO pleased TO think that
she could DO anything TO help him; and,
do YOU know, so earnestly were her
hopes bent on his success. in her love
and ambition for him. that every day
She added 10 her prayers the petition
that God would help him and bless his
work.
Astheexhibition was only three weeks
/. distant. and he had not very many leis-
= ure hours for such work, Walter wasted
not a moment. andlabored with such
industry that by the time the third week
had only begun he and Nettie stood be-
lore the finished picture-she perfectly
satisfied that no one could have done 1t
better, he nervous and anxious. seeing
faults which she denied; the Lady's face
Z was too fat and round. her eyes had a
stern. staring expression, and her hair
gust had ridges all over il instead Of soft
waves.
But Just see how the eyes follow me
about, Walter" cried Nettie, proudly,
land You said that was something so
hard TO get right; don't You see. If
stand on this side she seems TO be o
lng right al me, and now when l go on
htS side. it looks almost as if her eyes
moved. too"
Yes, that is true" said Walter
more hopefully. 81 have certainly
succeeded well in that effect; and / be-
Iieve," he continued. with 3 sigh OF 10
lief, taking it altogether. it is the best
picture L have ever made"
Il should say it isr' cried Nettie. de
sasyely. and YOU will see." she added.
with a beautiful trusting faith in her
DARK eyes. IF it doesn't prove a grand
Spccess,n