Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-12-17

announced his intention Of returning
to the north. His health. he felt, was
fully restored. Meanwhile, however.
he had not been idle. He had writtel
innnmerable newspaper articles. dane
all sorts Of artistic hack-work and had
secretly sent 10 the Interstate EX-
hibit' what he considered the picture
I of his life" 1t was called The Happy
/ American Peasant" II represented
! twilight scene in the famous "Pedmon,
district" OF North Carolina. The sun
= had set behind the hills, the skies
! were purple and gold and the very hills
, themselves were shadow outlines OF
dusk and gold. a little white town lay
/ dreaming among the hills and at their
, feet ran shallow stream, beyond
which on either side OF a broad road
, that sloped away and vanished TO the
/ southwark were visible here and there
/ distant farm houses. Down the road n
team OF oxen wandered slowly at their
own sweet will" and upon the dilapi-
/ dated cart which they drew lazy,
happy go-lucky negro sat singing and
playing the banjo to his hearts con-
| lHrIt vas IOl q III " AZ s~' -
in the picture. Neither sun, moon nor
| stars were shown. but, despite the gen
eral du5kiness of the scene everything
was definitely shown and every feature
of the neero's face could be plainly
seen. When the Interstate Exhibit
critics examined Ashley's masterful
picture they awarded him the first
prizes. 000-and one of the commit
toemen made him a handsome offer for
something from his brush. All this
Jack told his friend Moorland. but de-
manded that he keep strict silence in
the matter
Three days before his contemplated
return to the north Ashley visited
i-Miss Holley. He found her entertain
ing and modest and perfectly natural
IA her manner.
Ashley was Interested. He suddenly
discovered that Miss Holley was an eX-
ceedirgly hard o:ne and cultured young
woman. lie had not appreciated her
beauty and yet ii was 20 strangely fas-
c.nacing. lie had never before seen a
face so dainty and sweet and yet 50
expressive OF noble character He
doubted II ne would ever again find
another face like 1t. OF course this
enthusiasm was rGrely from the art
J ist s standpoint. rs Ashley assured him
self Business was business lie would
postpone his northern trip and call on
The morrow. show her some of his pic
turcs ana persuade her, II possible. to
il for her portrai, for him. Mooyiard
had been right about her being good
subject
jack told Moorland Of his change Of
mind." The latter laughed and eX-
claimed: Il should call it change Of
heart"
Ashley called upon Miss Holley the
next day, secured her consent to mis-
plan. and the portrait was begun.
For two weeks Jack worked indus
tIiously. with voice and smile as we'll
as with brush. He fancied he was max
ing admirable progress with the por-
trait and told Moorland SO. Ned
: laughed and remarked that the new
cottage on the hillside was nearly
. completed. Jack gave his friend le-
: proachiul look, but he was helpless.
/ blCktu W Hlit plist N.tEtS Idu at
: rived from the north and with 1t let
: ter sulnmoning him to Philadelphia on
> important business. Jack saw that he
must work hard or his picture coull
> not be finished.
J Il shall miss you so much, Mr.. Ash
, | ley said Alice when Jack informed
her tina. he was soon TO return to his
northern home: but your southern
friends are proud of your success and
l | --then-one must attend to business
= She looked beautiful as she stood
! bidding him good-by in the little vine
clad doorway. the tempting lips. th,
Q eyes so deep with love. her dainty pose
| ! all held him in their magic power
/ | Jack trembled with emotion. Must HI
Q | speak, His heart decided for him ant
4 like an honest man he told her that Ii
loved her-could not live without ner-
: and found her tender heart too kind
! for homicide
Their wedding tour extended Il
Philadelphia.
Il will finish my picture when We re
turn" said Jack to Mooriand. as Ii
and his pretty bride boarded the north
bound train.
And hang 1t in the little cottage,
said Moorland. with d laugh.