Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-07-22
TRAMP AND ARTIST.

1890 -
felt for his pipe.
He found it and fumbled for some
matches, laying palette and brushes
carefully on the ground.
The matches found, he struck one.
Enoountering In the process glance
from curious eyes, he sent the box spin
ming In their owners lap.
Join me?" he said, and, the tramp
aoquiescing with nod, tossed a ciga.
rette after it, as he had some time before
tossed her his luncheon out of the wal
let at his feet.
She picked it up and fingered 1t, then
placed it somewhat gingerly between
her lips.
1t was maiden effort. That was evil
dent. He laughed when the thing rolled
smoking to his feet.
Presently the girls gaze wandered to
the canvas.
is that me?" she asked and paused
and flushed resentfully.
"a doubtful likeness, since you fail
to recognize it," He laughed
1T looks, she said and stopped.
"Well?" he urged, expectant of a
quaint criticism.
Like II play actress-in tights " she
finished, frowning heavily.
He chuckled. The remark amused
him. He knew 80 many play actresses
in tights" who would shrink from con
tact with this dusty wayside wanderer,
yet in turn this vagrant shrank from
them. She resented even the resem-
blance OF u curve. The thing was hu.
morOus
He turned and glanced at the canvas.
Yes, he had outlined the figure some
what daringly, but then 1t was that
grand sweep from knee to shoulder
which had first attracted him. He had
passed her earlier in the day, sitting by
the roadside combing out her hair--had
passed her, with his still buoyant step
and knapsack strapped to shoulder,
humming gayly. But--struok by some.
thing In tho girls attitude-he had re-
traced his steps and asked her TO ait to
him.
She still regarded tho picture, lines
of dissatisfaction pickering her brows
"Well, said the artist.
"Them boots Of mine she answered.
A pause. Couldn't you rub 'em out2"
persuasively. eve got better pair,
spring side uns, in my bundle. /"
The artist shook his head. They were
bad boots, he conceded, but good art.
lis it for the Royle academy" she
said
"What do you know about the Royal
academy, prayr"
"oh, nothin, RELY, but I've been
there once afore.
~ thought you told me this was
your first sitting2"
80 'tis-to remember; was baby
the larst time. Father took me. Il was
u artist too. II wos reel un, though,
not pavement chalker."
He laughed.
THAT'S understood, since no was q
Royal academician. What was his
nameH"
II amt a-goin to tell. 4"
"What was the subject1"
II wos-in long clothes Mother re-
members 1t. 1t wos the time . come to
see 'er, an she saw tho picture after
ward in winder in Pail Mall"
He was embellishing his signature
with flourish of the brush when
thought seemed to strike him and hold
him by the wrist,
What was it like2 Did your mother
ever tell your
Course she did, lots Of times. Sho
was proud to think ed noticed mo. /
wos lyin a most naked on some workus
lookin steps, an my eyeswos wide open,
lookin up ards ut the stars. "
The Love Child
"That's It'll You've seed the picture
toog' ~s ee45 fAa3
"Often," quietly. "It's copied quite
Il deal" aH
His hand was growing careless; 1t
swerved, and the brush slipped. The
girl cried out; there was daub across
the canvas
"Thero now" regretfully, you've
made smudge acrost your name -
The artist did not answer. His silence
and abstraction were taken IN dismiss.
hiHs t9h' uP bSA DhAthABt WlhU@
ing him good day. gJG
''No. wait bit" He got up for the
first time and came and stood before
her. Won't you shake hands before
you 60 my--my dearl" .u.a
Bewildored, but gratihed, she gave
him hers at once. II WAS rough and
sunburned and perhaps mot overclean,
yet there was curious resemblance DO.
tween the tramp's hand and his own.
He dropped it hurriedly.
How old are you, my childr'
Eighteen come Christmas "
His eyes were on her face. They
studied 1t intently.
"Ah-hi" he said and dropped few
steps back. well, goodby. Good luck.
God bless you.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"What are you crying for1'
The tears brimned over.
AT you. You spoke SO kind. Yor
made me think Of mother.
"a hint for your future guidance.
His voice was hard again. Never trus
man because he appears kind. The
are mostly dangerous, and often tn
worst sort. "
The change in his tone depressed hel
She sighed forlornly. Pore moth'
told me that
His glance fell to earth. A pink iii
ped daisy was popping above tho gras
He ground ii into the sod with the Il
Of his heavy boot.
"Goodby again"
She took his proffered hand
Stop that. | can't bear to zoe
woman cry"
, Stop 1t she couldn't, but she crook
} her arm and held IL before her face.