St. Landry democrat., 1882-06-17

"Please, sir, can you, do you think
you can-do anything for a lady that
has had her eyes punched out?''
1t was very evident, Notwithstanding
the genteman's kind and gentle face,
that it was difficult for him to keep from
smiling at this funny question, but he
said encouragingly:
Come in. my little girl, and let us
see what is the matter"
Nettic felt Il little better at this kindly
! invitation, and entering the room,
turned toward him the unfortunate
Roman Lady.
"Ah, | see,' said the artist, another
smile playing around his lips, but which
he kindly tried to hide. 81 see your
picture has met with an accidcnt?''
90, yes, sir,' cried Nettie, eagerly.
"Walter, my brother, had painted it
for the exhibition, and now that this
has happened, ne is in such trouble that
he says he will never, never try again.
The good man looked at the troubled.
eager little face before him, and asked
sympathizingly:
"What We're the eyes like?"
"Like mine, sir,'' answered Nettie.
eagerly; just like mine; sat for Wal
ter while he painted them. 0, sir, do
you think you can do anything for tls?"
well try" was the kind answer,
and, taking a piece of canvas, he skill
fully cut two pieces the right size, and
as skillfully, with strong mucilage, fast
ened them in the right place on the
back of the canvas: "Now then,' said
he, turning to Nettie, s'just sit still
while see what can do.'' s
Never had Nettie' s dark eyes looked
$50 beautiful as now, with the glad,
eager hope beanling in them, making
them soft and bright. And after a
short time, during which the artist had
silently worked, a thoughtful look in
his gentle face, he called her to come
forward and see the picture.
o, what a wonderful change had
come over the Roman Lady! There were
the eyes now in which only close OBJ
server could detect anything peculiar,
and no longer with the wide, staring ex-
preston that had before spoiled them,
but soft and beautiful; few skillful
touches of the artist-br,lsh had entirely
altered the full, round look of the pretty
face, and changed ridges in her hair tc
| soft waves.
Nettie clasped her hands in an ectasy
of delight. 90, SIR she cried. Il
don know how to thank you, and |
haven't any money now; but, if Walter
sells the picture, | know he will pay you
all you ask
"Never mind about that, my little
girl" replied the artist, kindly; "but
| tell me, has Walter ever had any one to
teach him painting?'
mo, sir; no one at all.' answered
Nettie. "He just loves it SO, he tries it
all the time by himself"
"Well, suppose you ask him to come
to see me, sometime said the artist,
and scarcely waiting longer than to say
another earnest ''thank you,n away Net
tie hurried.
She had been absent about two hours
when again she crept softly into Wal
ters room, and to her surprise and de-
light, found him still sleeping. Climb
ing noiselessly upon chair, she hung
the lady in her former place, and then
sat down beside Walters bed Already
he was stirring, and, with a groan,
opened his eyes; mechanically they
turned, as if from habit, to the wall
where they had rested so often during
those hopeful days; and now, with a
great start, he sprang up in bed, ex-
claiming: "Why, Nettie, what does it
all mean, have [ been dreaming?' And
then, with sparkling eyes and glowing
cheeks, Nettie told him her story, end
ing with the artist kind message
And the Roman Lady took her place
as proudly as any on the following Mon
day morning in the great hall, and will
you believe it, was actually bought, not
for very great sum, but bya lady who
said: Il want that picture just for the
earnest, beautiful eyes, q
But better than all this, Walter went
to study with the kind artist, and when,
in time, he, too, became fine painter,
he and Nettie used often to speak of the
good that had come from what seemed SO
great an evil to the dear Roman Lady.
n. Y Observer.