Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-31

that it was difficult for him to keep FROM
smiling at this funny question. but he SAID
encouragingly,
Come in, my little girl, and 10, us zee
| what is the matter"
Nettie felt little better ut 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. see your pic
ture has met with an accident?"
20, yes. sir" sried Nettie, eagerly.
Walter my brother painted it for the
exhibition, and now that this has hap
pened, he 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 were the eyes like?"
Like mine." answered Nettie eagerly ;
"iust like mine; sat for Walter while h.,
painted them. o, sir, do you think y,u
can do anything for u.s."
Wen try" was the kind answer ana
| taking piece of canvas he killfullv cu
two pieces the right size, and as skiifu!
with strong m1cilage, fastened them H.
| the right place on the back of th9 carrao
Now tnen," he said turning 20 Nett, .
lust sit still while see what can de-
( Never had Nettie's dark eyes looked so
beautiful as now, with the glad, care
hope beaming IN them, making them soft
and bright. And after short time. dur
ing which the artist had silently worked, -
Thoughtful look in his gentle face, he called
her to come forward and see the picture.
o, what a wonderful change had CONF
over the Roman lady! There were the
eyes now in which only a close observe
could detect anything peculiar, and M
longer with the wide staring expression
that had before spoiled them, but soft anr
beautiful;a few skiltul touches of lh
artist-brush had entirely altered the full.
round look of the pretty face, and changed
the ridges in her hair TO soft waves.
Nettie clasped her hands in AN ecstsc-
of delight. 30, sir" she cried. | don
know how to thank YOU, and l haven't
any money now; but if Walter sells th'
picture, ] know he will pay you all yo'
| ask
"Never mind about that. my little girl,
replied the artist, kindly; "but tell mt
has Walter ever had any one to teach hin
painting?"
mo, sir; no one at all" answered Ne
tie. "He just loves it SO, he tries it ali the
time by himself"
"Well, suppose you ask him to come
and see me, sometime" said the artist
and scarcely waiting longer than to say
another earnest "thank you." away Nettic
| hurried
She bad been absent about two hours
when again she crept softly into Walters
room, and to her surprise and delight,
found him still sleeping. Climbing
noiselessly upon Il chair, she hung the
lady in her former place, and then sat
down beside Walters bed. Already he
was stirring and with grown opened
his eyes; mechanically they turned, us il
from habit, to the wall where they had
rested so often during those hopeful days
and then with great start, he sprang W
in bed, exclaiming, "Why, Nettic, what
does this mean. have l been dreaming "
And then with sparkling eyes and glow
ing checks, Nettie told him the story, end.
ing with the artists kind message.
And the Roman lady took her place ae
proudly as any one on the following Mon
day morning in the great hall, and will
you believe it, was actually bought, not
for a very great sum, but by a lady who
said: II want that picture Just for the
earnest, beautiful eyes"
But better than all this, Walter went tc
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 grea,
an evil to the dear Roman lady.-L. l.
r., in Nc10 York Observer.