The Press., 1911-08-23

[ Hme when 1t would leave her an at : once.
 'aThen I tried holIerin' ag'in, but I hadn't as much power behind my voice
 aS had when called before and : couldn't make as much noise.
 T knew I'd got to do somep'n or
 purty soon it would be all over with us.
 It occurred to me that if could get
 my weight on to the side of the wheel that was goin' up the motion would 1 be slower. I asked Janey if she could
 hold on where she was for awhile.
 She said she could. but I knew she couldn't.
 T had to put my arm around her,
 and, partly by swimmin' and partly
 by clingin' to the wall, I worked my
 way toward the back of the wheel.
 The hardest place to pass was between
 the wheel and the wall. expected
 both of us would be crushed.
 "When got by that part of 1t and
 got Janey and myself a-hold of the
 wheel felt better. But we couldn't
 stop the wheel; all we could do was
 to cling to it till it pulled us out of the
 water and then catch hold lower down.
 I did this, but Janey could only keep
 changin' her hands all the while as
 the wheel revolved, she bein' support ed in the water. Knowin' that this
 was our only chance, threw all the
 strength left in me into my work,
 lettin' the wheel pull me almost up to
 the water runnin' above, Stayin' there and lettin' go my hold first with one hand, then with the other. But as I was hangin' in the air and wasn't buoyed by water it was awful hard work, especially after what I'd been through. Still, there's hardly limit to the endurance of a boy of sixteen.
 "All of student saw the miller look1n' down on us. didn't have to holler, and he didn't say word. He ran away, heard the sluice close, and in another minute he was back with a ladder, which he put down and, com in down himself, first took Janey in his arms and carried her out. He was comin' back for me, but let go the wheel and swan for the ladder by myself. I tried to climb up it, but 1t was no go; the miller reached down and dragged me out
 "When got up I saw Janey lyin' on the grass with her eyes closed, limp and white as a cloth. Thinkin' she was dead, gave a cry and, bendln' down over her, lifted her in my arms. The miller said she'd only tainted and would come to herself purty soon. And he was right. In another moment she opened her eyes, and, seeIn' me, what do you suppose she didr"
 "Whatf'
 'She just smiled the same kind of smile as when she was goin' down on the wheel"
 "My friend" I said at the conclu- sion of his story, T wish had you l and Janey right here at the age you | then were that I might work you into my painting"
 'If you'll come with me up the road a bit I'll show you two young uns thatn do as wen," he replied.
 I went with the man, who stopped 1t little house beside the road. We entered and found a middle aged wo- nan ironing.
 There's Janey," he said. Turning o her, he added, "Where are the chill lrenT'
 "Janey's upstairs, and sent Dick to the store. He'll be back in a few minutes"
 A girl about fifteen came down at her mothers call, and there was Janey sure enough. asked permis- sion to make sketch of her, and when her brother, two years her senior, came in did the same with him. Then gave each a good fee for serving as models, and after drink Ing a glass of milk which was urged upon me took my leave.
 Going back to the mill, finished my picture under the inspiration oc- by the story connected with t. As I worked I thought which of youngsters had passed would intro ,lace Janey on the grass just recover ng from her fainting would be ef- ective, but rather favored putting Ter on the wheel when she first step ,ed on to 1t and smiling at her boy his own expression denot- ng his anxiety. decided upon the alter feature, and, taking to my stu lio the sketches had made, work d them in when I felt in the mood Or 1t. succeeded far better in de- ,icting the required expression than had hoped for. The picture hangs in ny studio and has often been ad- hired. I have had many offers for 1t, put it is the only picture have ever painted wherein there is a story nave heard at first hand. For this 'eason have never been willing to part with il.