The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-03
LEANING ON THE DECK RAIL, THE YOUNG
MAN TRIED TO SEND UNPLEASANT
THOUGHTS AWAY IN CLOUDS
OF CIGAR SMOKE.

Night was creeping on, and the pas
sengers had sought other quarters. ne
and the negro had the deck to themselves.
AS though moved by some sudden Inn
pulse, he joined the old man again.
"Not grievingfn He said cheerily.
ssEz you done said, faint no use ter
greab fur split milk. rs jest wonduh
whut we gwinter do. tux der las
cent we all could rex and scrape, ter mex
dis trip, and it same ez thode way
The young man made no reply. He
was looking at the face on the canvas.
A great change came over his own. HIS
teeth came together hard on his neither
lip. The slender fingers toying with his
watch fob closed tightly, sinking the
edge of the gold charm in the soft
flesh.
What weird fancies disturbed imag-
nation can conjure up. The raining
darkness, seemed to give to the face Oh
the girl an expression it had not worn in
the broad glare Of the day. The eyes
had grown more shadowy. The lips, ne
had thought undecided, between smile
and a culver, now seemed moro inclined
to the latter.
ssYou said you expected to get fifty
dollars for the picture. III give you
twice that sum for it. y
| The tone was quick and decisive, CIV
ing the impression Of a person about to
commit an act not sanctioned by judg-
ment, and anxious to plunge beyond re-
treat, before reason could coerce I'M
pulse.
usahi" The old negro's jaw drop
ned. The whites of his eyes were great
y in evidence.
/ ssCan't you understands ] propose to
buy the picture, and pay you one hun
i dred dollars for it. !"
The speakers brow contracted. His
tone and manner were impatient. The
old mans surprise confirmed what rea-
ION had been clamoring to impress upon
him. that he was about to commit great
folly.
4 No matter what our weaknesses are,
nor how keenly we realize them, we
never like to be reminded Of them, even
indirectly. The person who, from pol
lev. or lack Of interest, or any motive
whatever, tries to reconcile US to oul
shortcomings, is looked upon with TAI
more favor than the real friend who, to
4 save us future trouble, holds up before
us past errors.
uYou understand, wish to buy the
picture and pay you for it."
The speaker laid one hand on the plct
ure, and gave the old man look that
mid, decide quick. =
ssMarster, is you jokin'f ="
nPerhaps this will convince you
Drawing from his pocket book, the
stranger counted out several crisp new
bills and laid them on the negroes knee
tsWell, Gawd save usl What you
gwinter do wild de picterf"
"That's none of your business, so yor
get the money. You would not have
questioned Monsieur, of the heathenisi
name''
uDoes YOU mean wusn' gwinter a.
Monsher Brentanno whut he gwinter d.
Uid de pictera Amt done tole you HI
Nuz ter glib ur writin' promisin not tel
,,;h;+ n in lis country7'
$50 you did. Well, I'll give you thu
writing"
The Young mans good nature ASSERTED
itself. Laughing, he drew from nj
rocket writing material, and proceeded
n draw up the all important document
) agreeing not to exhibit the picture il
any public place in this or any othe
country.
ssThere! / guess that is binding.
With a flourish, he appended the name
Hugh Brent.
uI,m not much of lawyer, but
think that will defy any flaw picking
although not sworn to before notary
i He folded the paper, and handed it t
r the negro. With an air of proprietor
e ,bip he laid his hand on the picture
S His heart throbbcd with keen plea'
(. IRE, Just touched with uneasiness.
q ~ amt axed you fur dis writin
Z ,lease member sab, but I III keep it BEN
e ron pib it ter me an beins Miss ED
u init saw you. Oar won't neber be
n ,rouble bout dis lii transacehum, cas
e rou 3 er genelman an Miss Elba s er Ca
u vie. lessen her husband mout ject to
u nan habin his wife's rictur' an want'
le deem it some time ),
q with surprise, almost horror on .
) ee the Young man gazed at the o.