we'll go in the garden, and Nanna will show you how to make baskets, and then we 'll play." Johnny nodded and beamed at this charming prospect, and for an hour explored the mysteries of the studio, with Fay for a guide and Papa for an amused spectator. He liked the boy more and more, and was glad Fay had so harmless a playmate to expend her energies and compassion upon. He assented to every plan proposed, and really hoped to be able to help these poor neighbors, for he had a kind heart and loved his little daughter even more than his art. When at last Mrs. Morris found courage to call Johnny away, he went without a word, and lay down in the dingy room, his face still shining with the happy thoughts that filled his mind, hungry for just such pleasures, and never fed before. After that day everything went smoothly, and both children blossomed like the flowers in that pleasant garden, where the magic of love and pity, fresh air and sunshine, soon worked miracles. Fay learned patience and gentleness from Johnny; he grew daily stronger on the better food Nanna gave him and the exercise he was tempted to take, and both spent very happy days working and playing, sometimes under the trees, where the pretty baskets were made, or in the studio, where both pairs of small hands modeled graceful things in clay, or daubed amazing pictures with the artist's old brushes and discarded canvases. Mrs. Morris washed everything washable in the house, and did up Fay's frocks so daintily that she looked more like an elf than ever when her head shone out from the fluted frills, like the yellow middle of a daisy with its white petals all spread. As he watched the children playing together, the artist, having no great work in hand, made several pretty sketches of them, and then had a fine idea of painting the garden scene where Fay first talked to Johnny. It pleased his fancy, and the little people sat for him nicely; so he made a charming thing of it, putting in the cat, dog, bird, and toad as the various characters in Shakespeare's lovely play, while the flowers were the elves, peeping and listening in all manner of merry, pretty ways. He called it "Little Pyramus and Thisbe," and it so pleased a certain rich lady that she paid a large price for it, and then, discovering that it told a true story, she generously added enough to send Johnny and his mother to the country when Fay and her father were ready to go. But it was to a lovelier land than the boy had ever read of in his fairy books, and to a happier life than mending shoes in the dingy court. In the autumn they all sailed gayly away together to live for years in sunny Italy, where Johnny grew tall and strong, and learned to paint with a kind master and a faithful young friend, who always rejoiced that she found and delivered him, thanks to the wonderful hole in the wall. THE TINKHAM BROTHERS' TIDE-MILL.* CHAPTER XXXVII. THE TUB-RACE. BY J. T. TROWBRIDGE. THE Fourth was a great day on the lake; a great day especially for Commodore Web Foote. If he was n't the pivot on which the world turned, until about twelve o'clock, I should like to know who was ! It was a bright, breezy morning - indeed, almost too breezy for the rowing matches. But what were they compared with the grand race in which a dozen sail-boats were to take part? It was a good wind for them a good wind particularly for the Commodore's new yacht, which (not to keep the reader in suspense) won easily not only the prize-cup, but almost too much glory for one little man. the balcony, where a good many eyes were looking down. The pair he alluded to belonged to a certain young girl in a white straw hat, light-blue scarf and pink dress, with a rosebud mouth which did indeed blossom in a mirthful smile when she saw Lute leaning over the side of the boat with his "toy." Lute held it up with a gesture of inquirywould she like to try it? She answered with a laughing "I'll see!" sort of nod, and gave another, still more decided, when Letty motioned her to come down and take a seat beside her in the boat. 'They 're going to start!" said Mrs. Tinkham. "I wish they would make haste, for Rod's sake; he does n't like making a show of himself!" Rush could have wished the tub-race in Jericho until after they had got Miss Bartland into the After the drama, the farce. After the regattas, boat. the tub-race. That was for small boys; and the Tinkhams were interested in it, Rod having been induced by some of his young Tammoset friends to join in that rough sport. Three prizes had been offered by the club, indiscriminately, to all competitors; and if even the least of them could be won by a Tinkham, would n't it (as Lute said) be j-j-jolly? To get anything out of the Argonauts ! The youngsters were ranged along one side of the float, each with his tub - Rod amongst them, bare-legged and bare-armed, in shirt and tights, with Rupe at his back, to assist in launching him or in pulling him out of the water. His companions kept him in countenance; yet he could n't help feeling a little abashed in that rig, before so many people. A gay-colored throng covered the shore. The balcony, full of pretty girls in holiday dresses, looked like a hanging-basket of flowers. Door-way and windows were crowded; and the float was half the time under water, borne down by its weight of Argonauts. Outside of all was a circle of boats full of spectators. One of the boats belonged to the Tinkham brothers, and in it were Mrs. Tinkham and Letty, with Lute and Rush. Lute had his water-glass with him, and, while waiting for the tub-race to begin, amused himself by looking down into the depths of the lake. "She is laughing at you!" whispered Rush, who could not keep his eyes from glancing up at He was longing to ask her a question or two regarding the Argonauts' plot. Commodore Foote, standing on a chair, to get well above the crowd on the float and to keep his feet out of the water, which occasionally washed over it, swung his cap, tossed back his hair, and gave the signal. The half-naked youngsters had been ready and waiting some time, impatient to start; but he had delayed, in order to let Tammoset and Dempford know that nothing could be done without him. Amidst hand-clapping and cheers, five boys in five tubs started to paddle around a flag-buoy not more than twenty yards off. It looked to be an easy feat; and so it might have proved for some of them in calm weather. One turned round and round in a ludicrously helpless fashion. Another, too big for his tub, capsized at the start, and was greeted with roars of laughter as he scrambled out of the water. The other three made progress; but a little way from the float the wind struck them and the waves tossed them, and over went a sandyhaired lubber, who managed in his plunge to upset the next tub, which was Rodman's. "It's Dick Dushee! He did it on purpose!" exclaimed Rush. Whether Dick did it purposely or not, Rod was in the water, and there was nothing for him to do but to get back to the float with his tub and try again. Before he made another start, the only tub that had not upset was rounding the buoy; and it looked as if the lucky navigator must win the first * Copyright, 1882, by J. T. Trowbridge. All rights reserved. |