The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-12-07
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8 "REMINISCENCES.

then went over the whole with a freer
and rougher stroke than 1 had ever
seen him use before, bringing out the
outlines, good deal as one might
supply the imaginary details of pic
ture which one had conjured out of an
open fire or the clouds, after much
gazing.
And then we stood and looked at it,;
looked until the light seemed to grow
dim and we could see only the land
scape on the canvas before us, as if we
gazed at it through window.
And this is what we saw. In the
evening light of a cloudy day lay a
gently rolling, fresh titled field. We
knew it was spring. We could almost
feel the chill of the late, moist air, and
smell the newly turned earth. Above,
the clouds 1oated low, sodden and
slaty gray, with here and there just a
touch of reddish brown, as if soiled by
contact with the fields. And away
yonder at the horizon, in thin line,
where the clouds had broken, that we
might say goodnight to the sun, which
had already sunk below the horizon,
were all the marvellous colors OF a
damp sunset: rose and gold, salmon
and purple and amber, and in just one
J gap, the deepest, most vivid indigo of
the sky, accented by the rainbow hues
about it. Across the field appeared a
low uncertain cluster of somber trees,
suggesting the life and shelter of a
home; and here in the foreground stood
solitary figure leaning forward, with
out a suggestion of motion, outlined
clearly against the light, but with the
details shadowy and vague.
1t was dressed in the peasants shape
less costume, its feet thrust in wooden
sabots, and the head was bare. The
forehead had that prominence above
the eyes seen in all men of quick and
accurate perception, giving it a retreat.
ing appearance, but the top-head was
low, narrow and bad. The eyes were not
painted; they were in the shadow; and
yet you knew they were there and that
they had the fixed expression of one
in deep thought. At last L broke the
silence
"Jack, my dear friend, let me tell
you his story. He was one of those
happy boys who love nature and had
rather play than go to school; one of
those every one loves but who will be
loyal to none. But they lived too near
the village. AS he grew up he spent
his time about the inn and from the
native light wines acquired that taste
for liquor which will be the undoing of
your happy French nation. So when
his father and mother died and left
him the little two acres, from which
they had somehow fought their frugal
living, he promptly drank it up. Then
he hired out as field hand, and now
he is trying to figure his months
wages. Yes, he will get new hat, and
apair of shoes, and so much left for the
| "AAOo' L 20 PIOAAOy VI W1AO. DuU uO,
it shall be brandy, that is better. Not
so much of it, but it warns and burns.
Yes, the hat, and shoes, and brandy.
At any rate, the brandy. And now in
a moment he will wake up and trudge
off towards the trees, where there is
house and supper, and madame will
have somewhat to say as to his being
late"
MilIet drew in long breath and
turned his eyes away from the picture.
Then an odd, exultant smile lit up his
face. He struck an attitude, waved
his hand, and looked at me.
"Zee! VOLTA! Toute suite! Ze man
wiz Ze hoe"
And so it was christened.
What time I had to get him to
send it to the Academy. At first he
was offended. Then amused at what
he took for joke carried too far.
"Zey will .zink I play some treek,