The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-11-12
EARNING HER LIVING.

uAlUN lIO llIIV LII LIZ ~
Minna's room was not light at the
best of times. Its one window, plant
ed dormer-fashion in the roof, gave a
view of the blank whitewashed side
of an adjoining house, which lowered
up a story or so higher than its
unpretentious neighbors.
But Minna-a parsonage who always
made the best of things-had abso-
lutely persuaded herself that this was
the best light in the world for her oil
painting.
"There are no bursts of sunshine or
stray sunbeams to disturb the clear,
cool atmosphere" said she. ARTISTS
al,oays 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 a 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 a 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 degree gloomier than its
usual wont; and when Minna arrang-
ed her canvas on the easel, dim sort
of misgiving crept across her heart.
1t was simple picture that she had
painted-a little girl playing on sun
fecked barn-foor, with a brood of
chickens fluttering around her, and a
stealthy cat advancing from beneath
tangled masses of hay.
Yesterday the little girl had seemed
animated with real. actual life; the hay
had seemed to rustic in the wind; one
could almost perceive the sinuous,
gliding motion of the cat. But to-day
it was as if leaden spell had descend
ed upon everything.
cam l an artist?" Minna asked her
self; cor am l not?"
Rose Hale's step, coming softly down
the stairs, aroused her from disa,
greeable reverie.
She hurried to the door, with the
almost invisible limp which had al.
ways haunted her since that unlucky
fall OF her childhood.
"Rosa," she said, "are you in hur
ry? Do come in moment!"
And Rosa came in, with her little
brown bonnet neatly tied underneath
her chin, and her lunch basket in hel
hand, on her way to the factory where
"real imported kid gloves, fresh from
Paris" ware turned out by the dozel
gross day.
"What is it, Minna?" she asket
cheertully.
"Look at this picture" said Minna
drawing 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
peated. "Why, think it is beautiful!
"Oh, 1 know thatp' IMPATIENT
cried Minna. "The bits of hay ar
painted to perfection, and the rat
holes in the barn-hoor are copied eX
actly after that one in the corner 0
the cupboard; but all that isn't tru
art, Rosa. Does the child look as
she would speak to you?'
"The checks in her gingham apro
are painted beautifully" said Ros;
timidly.
Minna frowned.
"But the cat?" said she. "Is it
five cat? Do you fancy you are goin
! to see her spring.
"N-no," unwillingly admitted Rosi
~It's lovely cat, but it is only pic
ure of catl Minna-dear Minna,
haven't offended You. have I?'
"Oh, nor said Minna, lightly. "Bt
you have told me exactly what wan
ed to know-what l was sure of m,
self. Good-by, Rosa!--and mind yo
don't bring me any more of those del
cious little bouquets. They're lovel
but they cost five cents, and yo
haven't any five-cent pieces to thro
away"
And so, with loving kiss, she di
missed the pink-cheeked little factor
girl, who was always so kind to he
). and then she sat down in the Up
al shadow of tho dismal whitewash'
wall and cried.