The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-06-19

tending to read was held upside down.
The hostess came out just then, and
expressed to her the interest with which
these two people had inspired me. She
became enthusiastic at once and told me
many facts about them, which deepened
the feeling I had already had. Once
more, resolved to make a sketch, but
not of the lady alone; would paint
them both. One would be incomplete
without the other. They were ideal
| lovers and my picture should express
my ideal of love, yet taken from life. l
sought my room, and with more than
my former enthusiasm began again the
difficult work. / sketched from MEM
DRY, for the impression on my mind was
vivid. Several days passed. This par
ticular sketch was not yet finished for
it was elaborate and l worked on it only
when inspired by seeing my two lovers
together.
Meanwhile rambled, read and fished,
sometimes alone, sometimes with &C
quaintances. l made several sketches
of landscapes in the vicinity of the town,
but none seemed complete without the
figures of my two lovers placed in the
foreground, and they were in nearly
every one, and 1 endeavored in each and
all to give vivid expression to the mutu-
al confidence and love which SO fascin-
ated me in the originals.
What pleasant days those were! How
keenly enjoyed them after my months
of work in the close school-room. One
afternoon, sketch book in hand,
started for ramble, and after reaching
the river wandered on along the bank
until l came to fallen tree. Here I
seated myself ON the trunk, where one
limb made convenient foot-rest and
another formed comfortable support
for the back. A short distance up the
stream. and in full view from the tree,
a ot-bridge spanned the river. The
bluffs, which were on the left of the
stream, at this point were not so steep.
They sloped down from either way and
| formed something like pass between
the two mountains, and though to reach
| the top of the bluffs involved labor, it
was often done, as a footpath testified.
Just across the river from the fallen
tree, beautiful spring dubbed from
under the rocks and flowed into the
river. All these had soon reproduced
on paper. The rustic bridge, the sloping
cliff, the bubbling spring, made pretty
and effective picture.
Well pleased with my success, wa 9
about to leave my coy nook, when
saw two well-known figures crossing
the bridge. What JOY this was to me!
Tbo1 cd ho oh Nd T.,
path between the foot of the bluffs and
the river, they soon reached the spring
| just opposite where | was sitting. Here
they paused, and the lady producing a
silver cup filled it with water and
offered the gentleman II drink. He
drank, and gallantly exclaimed, as he
returned the cup:
| "a sweeter draught
From fairer hand was never quafed."
This incident filled me with sudden
inspiration. What an addition they
would make to my picture! seized my
pencil and began to put them into
my sketch | worked rapidly and soon
had fair representation of her as she
presented him with the silver cup.
They passed on down the river out OF
sight and soon left the tree and, cross.
ing the foot-bridgc, climbed the bluff
intending to sketch the town. With
some difficulty gained a good position,
but my exertions in climbing had rem.
dered my nerves somewhat unsteady,
and l concluded to postpone sl1etching,
and enjoy walk along the edge of the
| bluffs, which commanded view not
only of the town but of the surround
ing country for many miles to the south
and west, which was beautiful and
charming.
, But all this could not render me OBJ
livious to the fact that walking was
hard work. The ground was uneven
and rocks and bushes intercepted my
progress, and l had not walked more
than half a mile before the unwonte
exercise had made very tired. The SUI
was hot and l was thirsty, and in spite
of the beautiful views l heartily wished
myself back on the level ground. Blu
how to get there? Must ! retrace my
steps? Was there no other way? ap
looked over. l noticed the juttine
lodges, the projecting points and thu
sharp rocks below. How terrible t,
fall! One could not escape with life.
drew back with a shudder.
Looking down the river, l saw wha
appeared to be an old stone quarry
The stone had been taken out in larg'
quantities, and rejected stones ant
earth formed a sloping bank which ex
Inl ~ ~, l,,4
into the quarry from above, was sure
could Chamber down this stony slop
and reach more desirable position thai
the one l now occupied without tn
labor and fatigue of returning as l hat
come. The excavation was broad an
did not look very deep. There must b
some way to get into it, ofcourse. 81 ca
fall in, if there is no other way" l ex
claimed aloud; and 1 walked O,
quite elated with the prospect
Reaching the place, I found
descent would be more Difficult
than had at first appeared; in fact
it seemed almost impossible. While
was considering the matter, the sound Q
voices reached me. l knew we'll t
whom they belonged. They might b
near; they might be far off, for sound
deceived one here; and stood on tn
brink, listening intently, and lookin
down into the quarry. l had no ide
of carrying out my suggestion to fal
in, but a sudden dizziness came over m
as l gazed. l tried to step back. TIL
stone on which stood settled slightly
and felt that was falling. clutche
at the brink and grasped it, but coul
not save myself and, with wild scream
l loosed my hold and fell.
Fortunately was not much hurt, onl
little stunned and much frightened
and l lay trembling, but dimly COZ
scious that footsteps were approach in
clam bering up the stones Prese ntly
felt my face bathed with water, an
: opened my eyes to see the lady an
, gentleman bending over me, the lad
holding the silver cup which had bee
sketching only short time before.
, After little, felt able to sit up an
look about me- There Low NV CLIO