The Iola register., 1886-11-12
AN ARTISTS ID1L.
Its Principal Scenes a Canal Boat
and a Salon.

A little, round, pink face, half shyl
up,urned. a head covered with fuzz,
rings of bright gold hair, from which tn
sun-bonnet has fallen back, two plump
dimpled hands, tightly clasping the out
spread skirt of frock half full of dal
sizes and buttercups, two small bare fee
firmly planted on the decks Of slowl,
moving canal-boat. Right above, OIL
the graceful-arched bridge, the object
on which the big, wondering, blue eye.
are fxed-two children, slender, brown
eyed, fower-laden. The hot sun, ever
now sending its scorching rays ver
tically down. has kissed the baby plebe
ian's face into the likeness of a wild rost
and darkened the little patrician's with
the tints of the conventional gypsy.
The weary mules slacken their pace,
unrebuked by their driver, enjoying
like them the unusual luxury of over
hanging trees and shady wall. More
flowers fiut.ered down, striking face,
arms and neck, catching in the dang
ling bonnet, the children laugh together
and with the freemasOnry of the time
of life. the boy calls out:
do you live on that boat always?''
sYes."
..Do you like it?'' ..Yes."
@.Do you like the flowers" Eyes"
@What' your name?' ''Hedeyetta. "
Then the moving boat carries her out
of reach. and the three little voices unite
in ..good-bye." The canal-boat 'Jen-
ME and Susie" has seen its best days
it is old. heavy and dingy, but it rides
the dark, unattractive water with an air
of ancient respcctability. Neither are
the mules new to their work and trade,
with steps calculated to do the most
good with the least labor, they plOd
doggedly on, looking neither to the
right nor left. The steersman takes a
keen look ahead. and. see ng a clear,
and unobstructed channel, fastens his
ruddcr in place and walks slowl Y down
the deck. About midway is a strange
piece of lading-a spring cot, with silk
coverlet and down pillow, shaded by a
striped canopy and tlanked by steamer
chair, an artists easel, pile of novels,
and, on low table. a Jug of seltzer,
box of tobacco and half-dozen pipes.
The occupant of this airy den is at this
moment sitting on a camp stool busily
sketching at his easel.
..Sit down, captain, he says pleas
antly to the man who stops to look over
his shoulder. Il am just putting down
a few little touches to remember that
by"
THE children? Well, it was pretty
sight; kinder wonder if you'd notice
it-I don't know as you'd find a much
nicer picture than that little gal of ours
is most any time"
''Ours?' the young man repeats. half
questionally-proceeding meanwhile to
cover the sketch on his easel and then
dropping lazily down on the cot-the
captain (by courtesy has taken the
chair-and leisurely filling his largest
and most deeply colored pipe.
"Have one?" he asks, Hospitality.
"Wel, don't care if do the other
responds. watching the deft fingers
with the slow and quiet interest Of his
kind.
They form sharp contrast as they
iit together. Captain jenkins is tall,
lean, lank-his complexion straw-color-
ed, also his hair and American beard
(.'chin whisker)-a deeper shade
but from the faded blue eyes looks out
a shrewd and kindly spirit which his
passenger has been quick to recognize
and appreciate. Egbert Viele is dar-
ling of fortune; having lost father and
mother when too young to appreciate
loneliness. he has floaied lazily, hap
PLY through life-winning all hearts by
his personal attractiveness. loyable ma
ture and graceful and tactful manners.
The two men smoke on in silence,
broken only by the soft ripple of the
quiet waters against the boat sides. The
banks of the canal grew level, and
across them pretty country houses ap-
pear in the distance and boats are to be
seen ahead. A small boy comes up
from the tiny cabin wiping his mouth
on his sleeve, and takes his place at the
rudder The child PLAYS with her fiow-
ers. talking TO herself, sometimes sing
ing softly. Then young woman comes
up the stairway and stands shading her
eyes with her hands. gazing into the
distance. Gathering up her flowers,
the child comes slowly to her.
See. NANNY" she says, almost tim
idly, ''see.'' But she does not touch her
and no eager words tell of her pleasure
in her possessions. 'Yes." the woman
answers absently; mo, / don't want
them-giye them to your Jenky or your
friend there" and, turning away, she
goes down out of sight.
Pretty little creature" Egbert SAYS
gently, ''how she brightens life"
Captain Jenkins mods his head and
draws 4 long pull at his pipe.
Yes" he answers slowly. ..yes, for
every one but her poor mother"
Can you tell me that poor mothers
story; have so often guessed ct it;
what has spoiled her beauty, when it
should be st its best; why does she al
most dislike her pretty baby; what claim
have mother and child on you-tell me.
now. before our journey ends?'
Captain jenkins moves little un-
easily; he is vlsibly embarrassed a
listener he is unequaled. But how can
he turn the tables and recount instead
of listening? Egbert comes to his aid.
-'When did you iirs. know her?'
81 didn't know her first / knew
Michael, her husband. He was the
iveliest young chap ever put my ewes
on; the little one has his yellow hair
and his eyes-and SO outspoken and
manly. He was carpenter by trade,
but things were slack and he wanted to
save up and he'd turn his hand to any
job. Well, 1 took him on. He was
sending for er-Kathleen-that Sea-
0nn Hor Aao n 80 thar onI