Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-11-20
EARNING HER LIVING

Minna's room was not light at tn
best of times. Its one window, plant
ed dormer-fashion IN the roof, gave
view of the blank whitewashed sid
OF an adjoining house, which towere
up story or so higher than it
unpretentious neighbors.
But Minna-a parsonage who alway
made the best of thngs-had abso
lutely persuaded herself that this wa
the best light in the world for her oil
painting
"There are no bursts of sunshine OF
stray sunbeams to disturb the clear
cool atmosphere" said she. ARTISTS
at'odys prefer this sort of light
For Minna Morton was a working
girl Too delicate to stand behind the
counter or superintend the busy loom,
she yet endeavored to earn her own
livelihood by means of an artists pal
ette and sheaf of brushes.
Her outfit had cost considerable
Sum-there was no denying that; but
Rosa Hale, who stitched kid gloves in
downtown factory, had lent her the
money for the purchase, and little
Bess Beaton, the landlady's daughter,
sat to her two hours every day after
school, quite satisfied with ginger
bread nuts TO MUNICH and battered
rag doll, which had belonged to Min
mas own younger days. to play with.
And Minna was young and hopeful,
and in the far distance saw herself
acquiring name and fortune by means
Of her beloved art.
This morning, however, the room
seemed a degree gloomier than ii
usual wont; and when Minna arrand i
ed her canvas on the easel, dim SORT
OF misgivihg crept across her heart
IL was simple picture that she had
palnted-a little girl playing on a SUM-
fecked barn-hoor, with a brood ID
chickens huttering around her. and 4
stealthy eat advancing from beneathE
tangled masses OF hay.
Yesterday the little girl had seemed
animated with real. actual life; the hayH
aad seemed to rustic in the wind; one
could almost perceive the sinuous,
gliding motion of the cat. But today
1t was as if leaden spell had descend
ed upon everything
"Am | an artist 2" Minna asked her
self; cor am | not?"
Rose Hale's step. coming softly down
The stairs, aroused her from a disa-
yreeable reverie.
She hurried to the door. with the
almost invisible limp which had al +
ways haunted her since that unlucky 7
all of her childhood.
Rosa" she said, ''are you in hur-
w do come in a momentr
AND Rosa came in, with her little [
'rown bonnet neatly tied underneath
Ter chin, and her lunch-basket in her
and on her way to the factory where
real imported kid gloves. fresh from
'aris,' ware turned out by the dozen
ross day.
What is it, Minna?" she asked
heertully.
Look at this picture" said Minna,
rawing her up in front of the easel.
well, I'm looking" said Rosa.
"What do you think of it?"
What do think of it?'' Rosa re-
eated. why. l think it is beautiful
"Oh, l know thatr' impatiently
led Minna. "Th- bits of hay are
ainted to perfection, and the rat
'les in the barn-noor are copied ex-
'tly after that one in the corner Of
le cupboard; but all that isn't true
t, Rosa. Does tho child look as if
e would speak to you?"
The checks in her gingham apron
9 painted beautifully" said Rosa,
mildly.
Minna frowned.
"But the cat?7 said she. "Is it a
'e cat? Do you fancy you are going
see her spring." :
N-no. unwlllingly admitted Rosa j
Is lovely cat. but it is only pict- !
e of catl Minna-dear Minna, 1 !
vent offended You, have II" :
"Oh, nc" said Minna, lightly. "But
Il have told me exactly what / want .
TO know-what was sure of my !
l. Good-by, Rosa!-and mind you .
at bring me anv more of those deli a
us little bouquets. They're lovely, !
they cost fire cents, and you
vent any fve-cent pieces to throw y
ay" ;.
And so, with loving kiss. she dis
'sed the pink-cheeked little factory v
!, who was always so kind to her; Al
then she sat down in the Upas Il
dow of the dismal whitewashed ST
u, and cried; ',
] knew it all along" she declared. m