Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-30

people. mean and thought if coult
only finish this, | could take it to shol
and sell it,
Poor girl! l saw the tears in her eye
as she spoke, and I wondered what sac
story hers might be. But l did no
wish her to think me curious, so | fore
bore asking her any questions, while sh'
opened her paint box and proceeded tc
set her palette with every imaginable col.
or possible.
II must have forgotten how TO paint
it's so long ago." she said, advancing te
her easel, the brushes trembling in heI
l,ag, thin, delicate hand.
Would you not like me to do q lit
tie for you, just at first :" suggested
gently.
81 should not like to ask you to dc
that" she answered, her face Frightening
=" but it would be very kind, because
it's so long since painted"
knew ! could do absolutely nothing
to redeem the work ss II stood, but after
4 few necessary preliminaries, l set the
colors straight and advised her to pro-
ceed with them. when at last | returned
tie brush and palette to her hand.
She seemed very grateful. Her eyes
sparkled with hope
II am indeed fortunate to meet with
so kind friend !" she exclaimed, seating
herself in front Of the easel. :" hope |
shall soon finishit," she added with sigh,
"for i, is difficult, to leave my little ones
alone"
| looked at her in astonishment. Her
little ones Could it be possible that she
was married: Iglanced at her left hand
involuntarily, and then for the first time
observed that she wore a wedding.ring
| did not like to make any remark. l
fel. afraid Of saying something that might
cause her pain. So we both went on,
working in silence until one o'clock came,
and l took out the little packet Of sand
wiches and small bottle Of wine that my
sons wife always placed in my pocket
every morning before | started for the
gallery. PeIceiving that she had evil
IDENTIFY brought no refreshment, asked
her to partake Of mine. She smiled and
thanked me, but declined.
81 am too anxious" she said 81
could no, eat"
But you are weak | demonstrated,
gently. "A little Of this wine would re-
vive you"
Il am not weak" she persisted "only
very anxious"
And so we fell into conversation once
more, and by degrees she told me her
story. 1t was very sad, but by no means
remarkable one.
She had been married six years, and
was now twenty-five. Her husband was
city clerk, and worked day and night
for herself and their two children but he
had been taken suddenly i'll with fever,
and WAS now in the hospital, and the
bank where he was employed allowed her
something week, and promised to keep
his place vacant until he was GONZALES
cent. She found it difficult, indeed, to
live; and, lately. to aid TO her troubles,
the landlord Of their little home had
threatened to turn them out and seiye
their posse.sions for the rent, which had
been owing for considerable length Of
time, and her poor husband was still very
III. It must be long while before he
would be able, the doctor said, to leave
the hospital and resume his work but II
only she could sell this picture for f20--
f2o! poor girl she would be able to
pay the rent, and all would be well!
! listened to this narration very sorrow.
fully. She seemed 80 young to have had
such q sad experience of life, and my
heart bled for her. Unfortunately, could
only give her words for comfort. Although
I possessed enough to maintain myself.
Just now, times had been rather hard for
my son, and l had been obliged to help
him with the little money ! had saved.
Every time looked at the canvas it made
me feel almost wretcbed. ! had not sum-
cieat strength Of resolution to tell her the
bitter truth. It was, perhaps. mistaken
kindness out ! was Q weak Old man, ana
through childish timidity shrsnk from
dashing all her hopes to the ground by
the uttersnse OF few words.
That night ! could not sleep for this
poor girl struggling with poverty alone.
] tried to devise some means Of helping
her, but In vain. l could think Of no.
thing.
The next day she was at the gallery
and the following one. and continued TO
paint with the utmost zeal.
81 think l shall soon finish it," abe
often said to me. "Of course it il not
like yours, but the man at the picture
shop will not have seen that, and so will
- - at;s6ad -;th rntno"