The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1886-04-28
THE POTTER OF TANAGRA.

/
blue Of the heavens with It's fiBt radi-
ance, when the potter Charnide opened
the door Of his house. All was silent in
the deserted street, except the splashing
sound Of water from the fountain in the
center of the neighboring square. The
yonng man dropped his head and re
entered his dwelling; his impatience had
awakened him too early.
But sleep now was out Of tho ques-
tion, 10 instead Of again seeking hi
couch he passed into the little court used
for workshop, and, lifting upa small
tub that was turned down in a corner Of
the court, he brought from beneath II ar
object in clay, which he regarded fol
some time with a feeling Of respect.
1t was the image Of an elegantly
sormed woman, robed TO the neck in
flowing lines of light drapery, che head
inclined forward, an arm extended across
the breast and the other carried to the
head. The features wore q smile which
was charming, yet modest, while the
eyes seemed to search those who re.
garded them. The young artist sighed
The original Of this statuette had never
yet favored him even with smile.
He took the stBtuette and left the
house, directing his steps toward a
main street in the vicinity. He
stopped before smallhouse Of inferior
appearance. and was about to lnocl,
when the door yielded at his touch, and
he entered q tagged court. The light
creaking Of its hinges attracted the at.
tention Of an old woman who was oc.
cupied in sorting herbs.
ANYhat wanteSt thou, Charmide~ said
she as she recognized the young man.
u came after the garland that
ordered yesterday Of thy daughter, re.
piled he.
"She Is in the garden gathering the
flowers and lromatic plants, Thou art
in hurry, my fine lover! The sun has
scarcely riSenl'
Charnide turned his head without q
response and went into the garden.
Under a clump OF Towering shrubs, the
young man perceived the lithesome form
Of Nais. In raised corner Of her tllnic
she was gathering a bountiful harvest Of
plants and flowers. The morning dew
had dampened the folds Of her robe that
chung to her finely formed figure. As she
raised her bare arms above her head to
reach the high branches, the artist could
but admire the grace and beauty Of her
movements.
"Naisl" called he in loud voice.
An echo came back from the rose.
bushes. The young girl turned her head,
made sign Of assent, and approached
the young man.
u fear thar have kept thee waiting, y
said she sweetly. "Pardon me, but / was
up before day, and for an hour have
been out in the dew, but the garland is
yet too short. See, / shall have to return
to tile brookside for more"
She spoke in an accent soft and sup.
plant, seeming to ask grace for the delay
The young man replied without pay.
Ing attention to her: Hasten; the street,
will soon be fuiiUf people. 1t will then
be too late y - --'0l'l--.
at is, then, for your sweetheart y said
the old woman who had joined them.
ut would seem SO, said Charmide in q
uff tone.
Nais twined dexterously the vines and
flowers into the garland, which already
began to lengthen under her nimble fin,
ger. The young man regarded her a
moment, then said: u have not time tC
watt when it is finished bring il to me. '
AVery well, y said the young girl, with,
out raising her eyes.
A slight blush mantled her cheek as
she bent over the garland; but Charmide
had already departed.
Soon after, as the artist was busy ar.
ranging his tools for the business Of the
day, the door opened, pushed by a timid
hand, and Nais stood on the threshold
waiting for word to enter.
Come in" said Charmide, aroused
from his contemplation as artist by hiG
preoccupation as lover.
Il can not" said she; ut Is 80 heavy. y
He approached to disembarraSs her,
but, governed by selfish thought
Gross the street." said he; II will
carry the two ends Of the wreath and
thou shalt aid me in placing it on the
door,
She obeyed and started without reply.
But Nais did not seem imbued with
the sprightliness that she usually dis.
played on such occasions. She stopped
before the house opposite that of the
potter's, whose elaborately ornamented
entrance indicated certain luxury.
The young girl supported the burden
Of the garland until Charmide had ut.
tached it to two iron rings, one on each
side Of the door, destined for such offer
ings. She then waited until he went for
the statuette, which he placed on the
threshold in the midst OF a mass Of
odoriferouS plants.
ut is finished,H said Charmide, step.
ping back to contemplate the effect Of
their efforts,
"Adieu," responded Nais, in a sweet
voice, without regarding the work. -But,
charmide, thou art preparing for thyseli
much trouble"
"WhyIr
ut is not for me to tell thee. How.
ever, thou art to know that Chrysis is
more sensible togold than to tenderness. F."
Charmide frowned.
At this moment some one passing
stumbled against the statuette and broke
Il in pieces.
Charmide was furious, He knocked
violently, when the door opened and the
female slave of the beautiful coquette ap.
peared.
-Thy mistress'" demanded charmide,
infamed with rage.
Daphne laughed in his face.
The insolent laugh Of the slave brought
the potter to his senses.
Il did not come here to be laughed at, "
said he, with grave air, "Iofferod tb;o
present to thy mistress, because the
statuette resembled her. Usually beau.
tiful woman is pleased to have a flatter
ing image OF herself; but ChrySis seems
| 10 love only Cold