The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-11-04
IHE DAILY DISPATCB
1hh fosTHuMOUs PORTRAIT.
AN ARTISTS SKETCH.
lCONCLUDEn

lCOSCLUDED
Conrad, somewhat embarrassed bv ~.
bined influence of the nightmare. ana Sa Sou
awakened suddenly by stranger in a s,rann
place informed bis host that he aiways drea4.
ed unpleasantly when he slept too long, and
was sorry that he had given so much trouble
1T Is some minutes past FIVE O'clock" said
Mr. Harrenburn. Tea and coffee will be wait.
ing tor you by the time you are dressed: doubt.
iess, breakfast will restore you, and put YOU
10 order Tor your work: for really you have
oeen dreaming in a manner which appeared
have been.'
conrad rose, dressed, breakfasted, and did
undoubtedly feel much more comfortable and
isht-aearted than during the night. He was
shortly conducted TO the chamber in which he
mad received so many powerful impressions on
the preceding evening, and forthwith com.
menced the task he had engaged to Perform
Conrad was by no means young man of a
romantic or sentimental turn, but it is not to
be wondered at that his present occupation
should produce deep effect upon his mind
The form and features he was now endeayor.
ing to portray were certainly the most beautiful
he had as yet exercised his art upon-indeed.
without exception, the most beautiful he had
ever beheld. The melancholy spectacle of
youth cut of in the first glow of life's brightest
season. and when surrounded by everything
that wealth and education can contribute to.
wards rendering existence brilliant and delight
ful, can never fail to excite deep and solemn
emotion. As the artist labored to give faith
full representation ofthe sweetly serene face,
the raven hair, the marble forehead, the deli
cateiy arched brow, the exquisitely formed
nose and mouth, and thought how well such
noble beauty seemed to suit one who was fit to
dle-a pure, spotless, bright being-he had
more than once TO pause in his work while he
wiped the tears from his eyes.
Few experiences chasten the heart so DOW
ertully as the sight of the early dead-ihose
who live among US a short while, happy and
good, loving and beloved, and then are sud
denly taken away, ere the rough Journey of
lite is well begun, leaving US to travel on
through the perious and difficult world by
ourselves : no more sweet words for us, no
more songs, no more companionship, no more
loving counsel and misunderstanding now,
save the remembrance of beauty and purity
departed. How potent is that remembrance
against the assaults Of evil thoughts -
How impressive the thought of virtue in the
shroud.
With one or two necessary intervals, Con-
rad worked throughout the day, and until the
declining light warned him to desist. The
next morning he resumed his pallet, and in
about four or five hours brought his task to a
conclusion, taking, in addition to the painting
he was commissioned to make, small crayon
sketch for himself. 1t was his wish to pre-
serve some memento of what he regarded as
the most remarkable of his experiences, and
likewise to possess "counelfeit present
ment' of face, the beauty of which he had
never seen eqhalled. MIR Harrenburn ex
pressed himself highly gratified by the man.
ner in which Conrad had acquitted himself
he only saw the painting, CT course; and TAX
ing him into his study, bade him presevere in
his art, and paid him fifty guineas-a sum
which almost bereft the young man of his
senses, it seemed so vast, and came SO unex-
pectedly, after all his misgivings, especially
in the presence Of one who, TO judge from the
taste he had exhibited in his collection, must
be no ordinary connoisseur.
1t is difficult to describe the remarkable in-
fuence which this adventure exercised upon
the young artist. His susceptible mind re-
ceived an impression from this single associa-
ton with scene of death Oh the one hand,
and an appreciating patron on the other,
which affected the whole Of his future life
He returned to c., bade adieu to his land
lady, and friends, and, placing himself and his
the metropolis. Here, after looking about him
for some time, and taking pains to study the
yarions masters in his art, he made a respect
full application to one who stood among the
highes, in repute, and whose works had pleas
ed his own taste and fancy better than any he
had seen.
After much earnest pleading, and Offering
very nearly oil the little wealth he possessed,
he was accepted as pupil, TO receive course
of ten lessons. With great assiduity he fol-
lowed the Instructions of the master, and
learned the mysteries OF cOlorlng, and a great
number of artistic nicetles, all tending 10 ad.
vance him towards perfection of execution
He was really possessed of natural talents Of
a high order, and in the development of these !
he now evinced great acuieness, as well as in- |
dusrv. His master, an artist who had made |
a reputation years before, and who bad won |
high patronage, and earned tor himself large |
fortune, thus being beyond the reach of any |
feelings cf professional jealousy, was much |
delighted with Conrad's progress-was proud |
to have discovered and taught an artist OF real |
ly superior talent; and generously returning to |
him the money he had lately received with SO
much mistrust and even Dausea-sor raw pu- |
nil il the horror Of c0gnOsceRti-he forthwith |
established him as his protege. Thanks to
his introduction. Conrad shortly received |
commission of Importance, and had the honor |
Of painting the portrait Of one of the most |
distinguished members of the British arsto |
cracy. He exer;ed all his powers in the work,
and was rewarded with success: the portrait |
caused some sensation, and was regarded as |
chef deurre. Thus auspiciously wooec-l
Fortune opened her arms, and gave him place
among her own favored children. The first
success was succeeded by others-commis
sion followed commission, and, TO be brief,
after four years of incessant engagements and
uuwearied industry, he found himself owner
of high reputation aud a moderate indepen-
dence. ~ fsi, f
During all this time, and throughout the
dazzling progress Of his fortunes, the crayon
sketch Of poor Miss Harrenburn was preserv
ed nd priced, and carried wherever be went
with neyerfaling care and solieilude. Sane
tifed by indelibie associations, il was to him q
q sacred amule,-a charm against evil thoughts
"a stimulent to virtue and puri.y-this picture
Of the young lady lying dead. gone gently TO
the last account 10 the midst OF her Leauty and
untainted goodness. Its influence made him
a pure-mnded, humble and charitable man,
Living quietly and frugally, he constantly de-
voted large proportion Of his extensive earn,
ings to the relief CT the miseries of the unfor-
tunate; and such traits did not pass without
dna raroyn;,ion Few. who new him snok 4