The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-23
THE observation-disclosures.
CHAPTER II.

was filled with the most distinguished amateurs OF
art in ST. Petersburg, mingled with brokers ana aea-
ers on the lookout for bargains ana WIN large
snripkl,no IF those oilers who without intending 10
purchase frequent auctions 10 kill morning The
sale was in full activity and there was eager compe
tition for the lot then up. The biddngs succeeded
each other so rapidly that the auctoneer was scarce
" able to repeat them. The object so many were
eager to possess was portrait, which could hardly
fail TO attract the attention even OF persons who
knew nothing of pictures. This painting, which
possessed very considerable amount of artistcal
merit and had apparently been more than once re-
stored repaired and cleaned represented the tawny
features Of an Oriental attired in loose costume.
The expression of the face was singular, and by no
means pleasant Its most striking feature was the
extraordinary and unaccountabe look Of the eyes,
which by some trick of the artist seemed to follow
the spectator wherever he went. Every one of the
persons there assembled was ready TO swear that the
eyes looked straight at him and, what was yet more
unaccounable, the effect was the same whether the
beholder stood the right the left or in front
of the picture This peculiarly It was that had made
many anxious TO possess portrait whose subject
and painter were alike unknown. Gradually, how
ever, many of the amateurs ceased their biddings,
for the price had become extravagant, and at last
only two continued to compete-two rich noblemen,
both enthusiastic lovers Of the eccentric in These
still continued the contest, grew heated with their
rivalry, and in fair way TO raise the price to
something positively absurd when by-stander step
ped forward and addressed them: Before this con-
test goes further" he said, "permi me to say few
words Uf all here present, il is ], believe, who
have the best right to the portrait in dispute
All eyes were turned towards the speaker. He was
a tall, handsome man, of about thirty-five, with
pleasant cheerful countenance, careless style of
dress, and long black curls flowing down his neck.
He was personally known TO many present, and the
name of B, the artist was circulated through
the room. atn. st. j."
Extraordinary as my words may appear 10 you"
he resumed, perceiying he had fixed the general at
tention II can explain them If you are disposed to
give me five minutes audience. have every reason
to believe that this portrait is havel long sought
in vain." a,'. r"
Curiosity was expressed on every countenance;
the auctioneer stood mouthed and with uplfted
hammer; all entreated B to tell his tale. The
artist at once complied.
"You are all acquainted" he said, "with the quar-
ter of st. Petersburg known the Kolomna, and
aware that tits chiefly occupied by persons either in
poverty, or whose are exceedingly limited
many of whom compelled by unforeseen crcum-
stances to outstrip their limited income frequently
find themselves in want of immediate and temporary
assistance; compelled in short, to apply to money
lenders. In consequence Of this, there has settled
amongst them particular class of usurers who sup
ply petty sums on satisfactory pledges and at enor-
nous interest These pawnbrokers on a small scale
are generally far more ptiless than the arisocratic
hsurer whose customers drive to his door in their
carriages. Compuncuon, humanity, feeling OF pity
ior the uniortunates upon whose need they fatten,
never oy any chance enter their breast Amongst
these calious extortioners there was one who, at
certain period of the last century, under the reign of
the Empress Catherine H., had been settled for some
years In the kolomna. He was an extraordinary
and enigmatcal parsonage, OF whom none knew any
iMng; ne wore flowing Asiatic dress. his complex
Ion was swarthy as an Arab; but to what nation he
reai'y belonged whether Hlndoo, or creek, or FER
san, none comd decide his tail stature, ms tawny
wtnefed why iaee with IT'S unit OF greensn bronze
ms large eyes lui Oh sui'en nre snaao~ed by mick
ana overnaneing oro"si every point In MS appear
ance, IN snort, maze strong ana marked dlsiinc-
non oetweeh nm ana the otiier lhhaoitans OF the
quarter, ms very evening was quite unlike the III
ue WOODEN houses "hch surrounded IL. II was
large prek puiidng, an the style OF those oen con
suueteu W l'e e,eioese het.i'ah's' WIN y
ainefent sizes, disposed AZ Irregular ais'ahees, wiz
IRON shutters ana hasPs. Inns INSURER was uis'i'i
gusneo rom all o.hers py 'he circumstance '','' IL
couu a"uys supply any sum VI ii'oey equiieu, ah
~ouu aeooniiioua'e anAo n'e heeuy stooii anu Wv
m HoOf a ''ts uoo, "ete oi'eu - "
'een o'nnah. equpases utousn WHOSE "ihuo"'
hsh. soe'i,,es Ue uSeerieu ''ie head u iuAuriou
a,'u 'asn,oaoe ''uy. nu'i,oi saiu 'na' niS nol
'esiiieu WIN coahuess heaPs oi money p'ott
aanohas ana an KINGS OF valuable p'eoges, put new
efheess ne was reported less greedy than tne otne
money ehaers' ne mace no aiiiicuity, people salo
70 lehd, ana was apparently lar from oppressive II
nMng the terms Oh payment But on the day Of reck
oning' IL was observed, mat by some extnordinar
arithmetcai cacuia'ion' he made the interest noun
up 10 an enormous sum such, at least, was the pop
mar report. Inc strangest thing about him, howev
CT, aho whch Struck everybody, was the fatality tina
seemed TO attach to his loans all who borrowed o
him finished their lives in an unhappy manner
whether this was mere popular notion stup
superstltious gossip, or rumor intentionally dissem
mated, has ever remained mystery. But it is fac
that many things occurred to give it validity an
that within comparatively short period of time
Amongst the aristocracy of the day, there was on
young man who particularly attracted the attention
of society. He was Of ancient descent and nobl
blood had very early distinguished himself in tn