Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-09-29

The artist was surprised; he paused
regarding her
The life's you'll make good
money as model"
UNI" she answered. shutting
her lips tight A light dawned The
girl looked flushed and angry.
you've nothing to be ashamed OF,
he smiled, eying her again
She did not blush this time. Com
ments-coarse, even brutal-on her
physical endowments fell on her ears
by no means FIR the first time.
I'm an honest woman" was all
she found to answer.
"Of course, OF course" adding. all
my models are
HIS tone penetrated the thick
coating hardship and custom weave
to guard the sensitive
Il pr missed pore mother to keep
straight" she said Took my Bible
oath on it on 'er dyin' bed, l did"
Eyes and voice were alike earnest;
they impressed him, though he
laughed.
Very commendabe on your part
my dear; tritle unreasonable on
mothers, though"
browning for a moment she turned
her head aside. "Wot was the gooti
o. talkin' serious to these swells?"
1T isn't carrying out your phil
osophy, you know" he spoke again
presently; 'the philosophy of the
many, the philosophy of the cigar
cite" Gradually falling into thought
fulness, he sighed. Life itself Is only
a cigarette carelessly made up, OF
mostly bad tobacco the outer coat
ing poison, and ending--in smoke and
ashes"
They were silent for a while, en-
crossed in their own thoughts, Said
the tramp presently, with a sort OF
softened shyness, Cords good, but
e's got a large family! Els got to
be economical, | s'pose, Now,
mothers misfortunes al TO warn me
IF the like. It's same as a teacher
at n ght school | onst went to. She
got no time to set us all a copy left
us big 'uns to take the little 'uns in
tow"
The artist answered nothing; he
was frowning at the canvas Said
the tramp, leaning forward, with her
elbows on her knees When some
one as you've lived with as seen life
an you're the consequences. the
gifts took off the gingerbread you
amt a-'ayiug none"
She watched the rings of smoke
curling upward from his pipe, "Lifes
awful funny" unused the tramp.
The artist conceded that it was
rather humorous
ITS like sorsages plaintively;
you MT know wot yo're swal-
lerin.'
The artist pronounced 1t an ex-
cellent simile. Life was like sau-
sages, he agreed-piquant and allur-
ing to the nCstrils; II it proved less
satisfying to the palate and tickled
curiosity You must shut your eyes
and down It," asking no questions
The girl. wary of rldicule, eyed him
with suspicion She cried out sud
denly, wishing she was dead.
MY good soul. why?" pausing a
brush suspended in the air. Death is
extinction. long, die sleep; and to
be idle is to be damned, which is
the only creed | act on, No, I'd
rather be a live dog than dead king
any day" The sketch was finished
he grew genial once more. ITO die Is
to lose such power as we may possess
and we all OF us possess power OF
some sort, my child. I It's only that
supreme one Of making ones sell
unpleasant"
He chuckled like man who had
never wasted his.
with a twist OF her fine shoulders
the tramp arose to go
81 must be moyin'" she said. anc
bent to lift her bundle,
The artist watched her
You'd better change your mind -
She shook her head
You're foolish"
"P'raps," she sighed. Cord knows.
And moved away
Here, stop!" He called her back
Take this--no nonsense, now" lie
forced the money into her nand
Now, smile" She looked at him
Smile, in the name OF decency, OF
youll haunt me in my sleep!" She
smiled--in heavy wonder There
there, be off
lie was half-impatient more with
himself than her. She stood at his
elbow, as II loath TO leave his side
at must be fine to make pictures,
said the tramp.
1T must be fner to make money
said the artist.
He began scrawling his name In
green paint across the canvas.
us It FOR the Royal Academy she
said
What do you know about the
Royal Academy pray?"
snL ra.t,s. lint T'ra hnor