Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-10-02
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eAAO AtCA aOo
malicious writer dates from Paris:
How rapid is the progress OF OBJ
!ivion, with respect 10 those who are
no morel How many a quadrille
shall we see, this winter, exclusively
made up from the ranks Of inconso-
liable vidowsl Widows Of this order
exist only in the literature OF the
tombstone. In the world, and alter
the lapse Of a acertain period, there is
but one sort Of widows inconsolable
those who refuse TO be comforted.
because they can't get married again!
One of our most distinguished sculp-
tors was summoned, a short time
since, to the house of young lady,
connected by birth with a family of
the highest grade in the aristocracy
of wealth, and united in marriage to
the heir OF a title illustrious in the
military annals of the Empire.
The union, formed under the hap
piest auspices, hid been. alas! OF
short duration. Death, IMPLYING
death, had ruptured it, by prema-
turely carrying off the young hus-
band. The sculptor was summoned
by the widow. -
He traversed apal tments silent
and deserted. until he was introdu-
ced into a bedroom, and found him
self in presence of a lady, young
and beautiful, but habited in the
deepest mourning, and with face
lurrowed by tears.
"You are aware" said she, with a
painful effort and voice half choak-
ed with sobs, "you arc aware of the
blow which / have receivedf'
Tie artist bowed with an air ofIe-
spectfuI coincidence.
"Sir," continued the widow, 81 am
anxious 10 have a funeral monument
erected in honor Of the husband
whom have lost"
The artist bowed again.
81 wish that the monument should
be superb, worthy of the man whose
loss weep, proportioned to the un-
ending grief into which his loss has
plunged me. lcare not what il costs.
| am rich, and | will willingly sacri-
fee all my fortune TO do honor to the
memory of an adored husband. |
must have a temple-with columns
in marbIe-and in the middleton
a pedestal--his statue"
81 will do my best to fulfil your
wishes, Madam" replied the artist,
shut had not the honor of acquain-
tance with the deceased, and like
ness Of him is indispensable for the
due execution ol my work. With
out doubt, you have his portraitl'
The widow raised her arm and
pointed despairingIy TO a splendid
likeness painted by Amaury Duval.
"a most admirable picturel" OBJ
served the artist, sand the painters
name is sufficient guarantee for its
striking resemblance 10 the original"
"Those are his very features, sir;
it is himself. 1t wants but life. All!
would that / could restore it to him
at the cost of all my bloodI"
81 will have this portrait carried
to my studio, Madam, and | promise
you that the marble shall reproduce
il exactly"
The widow, at these words, sprang
up, and with a single bound throwing
herself towards the picture, with
arms stretched out as though to de-
fend it, exclaimed:
"Take away this portrait! carry
off my only consolation my sole re-
manning comfort never! neverT'
"But, Madam, you will only be
deprived Of it for a short time,
and"
"Not an hourl not a minutel could
| exist without his beloved image !
Look you, sir, / have had it placed
here, in my own room, that my eyes
might be fastened upon it, without
ceasing, and through my tears. His
portrait shall never leave this spot
one single instant, and in contempla-
ting that will pass the remainder Of
miserable and soIrowlul existence.
SIN that case, Madam, you will be
compelled to permit me TO take a
copy oft. But do not be uneasy
i shall not have occasion to trouble
your solitude for any length Of time;
one sketch-one sitting will suffice" :"
The widow agreed 10 this arrange,
ment; she only insisted that the ar
tist should come back the following
day, She wanted him to set to work
on the instant, SO great was her long
ing to see the mausoleum erected.
The sculptor, however, remarked
that he had another work to finish
first. This difficulty she sought TO
overcome by means, of money.
'sImpossible," /" replied the artist, 81
have given my word; bu. do not dis
tress yourself; l will apply tc ii dill
gently, that the monument shall be
finished in as short time as any other
sculptor would require, who could
apply himself to it forthwith