The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-11-27

nothing of it. The worlds SO very
sublunaryl' Don't you find it so, sir p
"Well, yes; / suppose it is that"
said, never having had cause to doubt
it as fact. eyes, I suppose it is. But
now let me advise you as friend"
He looked up softly.
II knew You would" he cried; that's
just it, you will assist me, and I'll step
up of evenings and we'll so through il
together gradual like. Yes l felt sure
you'd be the friend to do it; when
mother said, Gin, that's our first floor
going out felt as if I could open
my heart to you like a brother: l did
indeed, sir"
"Look here" said, when he paused
and shook back the excited w1sp OF
whitey-brown hair, with joyful vehe-
mence; Look here. I'll let you know
when to bring it up. The fact is, I'm
awfully busy just now l haven't minute
to spare for study or the delights of the
| muse"
1 smiled grimly as I almost pushed
him out of the door, bearing his precious
brown paper parcel, and overwhelming
me with undeserved thanks. lnwardly
l resolved never to have five minutes
leisure to listen to those revelations to
the moon" which would henceforth
haunt my waking and sleeping hours even
should the meek Cincinnatus sink into
his early grave the sooner for lack OF
brotherly sympathy.
The next morning, when I entered
my sitting room, Sophronisba Ann was
there, little belated, concluded, as
she was finishing the operation of dust
ing, which never observed to produce
much result. Something in the street
had caught the damsels notice, for she
did not observe my entrance, as she
stood with her hands on her hips, the
buster hanging idly by her side; her
mouth open, and vacant1y fixed eyes
the refractory hair-pins IN open rebel
lion, and stray wisps and tails of hair
obtruding where they were off duty /;
while the hooks and eyes at va
rance completed the effect of the bulgy
lines of Sophonisba AIMS figure before
limited at
Now it happened that was engaged
in making series of sketches for
comic journal, and Sophonisba Ann, as
she now stood, was the very model I
wanted for one of them The opportunity
was too good to be lost. 1 seized paper
and pencil.
Zone moment, my good grill" I cried.
"Stay as you are; oblige me by not
moving"
Of course she did not stay cas- she
was" but nearly enough so to enable
me to throw on paper the outline which
had caught my fancy.
"Thanks-that will do" I said as
blandly as [ could.
She simpered and actully forgot to
sniffle.
LA, sir! whatever could you take
me like this for?" she cried at last. If
I'd only been in my afternoon frock, at
least, and done my hair up bit tidy
if you had told me; but la now"
"Don't name it," I said; "Id rather
net, IN fact, 1 wanted you just as you
are"
The next evening Mrs. Maudle came
up a smiling-yes, actually smiling!-
with a cheerful serenity, if not little
excitement in her demeanor, as she
placed before me Photographic like
ness of Sophronisba Ann.
(Which Maudle and me, sir, couldn't
hear of your putin up with such a
sketch like, all of hurry; and being
as our girl wasn't tidied up, as she'd a
wished. in course, so Sophronisba AIMS
been and had this took at Mr.. Daubley's
round the corner, if you'll accept it;
and I'm sure good hearted. well-dis-
posed CURL is my girl, though I say it,
and not took up with follies like some,
and that ste adv, almost too steady for
her station in life, as her father tells
her; and I'm sure both her father and
there, sir, when you're par
ent you'll know what a parents feelin's
are"
All this was said in one breath, with
out any pause whatever. [ sat bewil-
dered, wondering if it would be unpar-
donably rude to reject the offer of
lady's portrait, and what 1 could say in
excuse.
I'm afraid" I began, you're very
kind-the fact isl think I didn't make
myself quite understood.
"Oh, yes, sir, you did. Pray don't
name it. You was all a gentleman
should be; and Maudle and me are
proud"-here Mrs. Maudle, without
proceeding further, conveyed herself
down stairs in tremulous condition
between tears and smiles that fairly
stunned me. What could the stupid
people think WANTED with their daug h-
ter's likeness? l stuck it on the man.
telpiece Git was not very fattering
photograph resolving to take no mere
notice of the thing but next time Miss
Maudle came up I observed she wore q
flaming red ribon in her hair and an as
sertive brooch in the front of her dress.
She stole furtive glances at the mantel-
piece, half shy, half s1mpering. I
caught her eye by chance, when, over
coming her maidenly modesty, with a
preliminary sniff1e, she said, sweetly:
"Oh, if you please, sir, about walkin'
out on Sundays after chapel; for
mothers quite agreeable, bein' as
you're such gentleman and"-
"What do you mean? ?" I said, sharply
and quite forgetting the "ten-
der heartedness' of Sophonisba Ann in
the excess of my bewilderment; but, in
stead of answering me, that young per-
son flew to the window, crying: eff
there isn't that man a crossing the street
again. Oh! whatever1l father do? |
But Gin is at the door, and you'll pro-
5ect poor father, I know" and she
.ushed downstairs without further ex-
olanation.
Another minute and rapid and it
must be added, stumbling footsteps be-
gan ascending the stairs, accompanied
~ the cries of Sophonisba Ann and The
ainter sobs of her mother in the rear,
ind Mr.. Maudle entered, supported by
lis son and closely followed by a rough
md ready-looking person with paper
n his hand.
I stared.
Mr.. Maudle waved his hand.
I-I-My dear friend-sir -'scuse-
'brupt visits" he cried, in hazy sort
# voice. "F-friends may-waive
Here Mr.. Maudle swerved suddenly,
,ut Cincinnatus propped him up again.