New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-10-25
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AN ARTIST SERVANT GIRL.

AN ARTIST SERVANT GIRL.
do not believe that either quinne nor saline
draughts were SO eifectual in curing me Of the
marsh fever which prostrated me in Rome as
the good little stories my excellent Doctor used
to tell me. One Of the best was about servant
maid
Maria, the heroine, was the daughter Of q
farmer; but became, at a very early age, the
servant of sculptor of some celebrity in his
day. named Pulci, who had removed from Flor
ence to Rome, to court inspiration in the Metrop-
oils of Art, for a great work lie was a grave,
serious man; and after having instructed Maria
in the duties required of her, retired within
himself, and allowed her to do pretty much as
she liked, SO that she governed his little house
hold in her own way. She was comely girl, of
quiet manners, and soon became fayorite with
all Pulci's visitors The engraver, Savorini.
was struck with love at first sight for her, and
offered to make her his wife but she replied
calmly that she had engaged with Signor Pulci
to be his servant for three years, and could not
think Of breaking her engagement. 90 will
find substitute" said Savorini. 6 | can not be
replaced she replied. The engraver called
her Pa Proserpine of pride and his courtship
ended for the time
Master Pulci was busy with an important
group; the subject being Religion leaning upon
Science and Art-an allegory which Italians
are fond of developing. Although not first
class sculptor, he still occupied a sufficient
rank to bring him in contact with all the cele-
brated artists of the day, who used to come
from time to time to his studio. Maria was
often called in for one purpose or another, and
listened greedily to their animated dscourses on
genius and its consequent fame From the
very outset she began to feel yearnipgs altar
earthly Immortality. year, however, passed
before a definite plan succeeded to her vague
| impulses.
| One day Pulci invited some Of his friends t,
| dinner, Savorini amongst the rest. The mea
| was taken in the studio, and the conversation
| naturally turned upon art All spoke enthusi
astically for all were Italians, and were deepl
| devoted to their various departments. Savorini
| who still retained strong sentiment for Maria
I and perhaps wished to dazzle her, (she was NOV
| ing quietly to-and-fro, performing her usua
| duties; but listening TO all that was said Will
respectful attention) rather exaggerated thu
| dignity and the privileges of the profession tC
which they all belonged. Kings and Emperors
! the Pope himself, he said, ranked below great
artists, and it was better to have produced that
Diana, pointing to a clay model which Pulci had
just finished, than to guide the councils Of ma.
tions, 81 place my art" he added, '' not quite
On an equality with yours, Signori, but owl
no superior except you; for | also feel that
have spark of something divine within me-"
He talked much in this strain, being excitet
| by the good Lachrym0 Christi, and by tht
presence Of Maria. Although the girl admire
what he said, she in no wise set it down to hi
account in the way he would have desired. Sh'
| looked upon him only rs an interpreter OF truth
| and went about the room-and backward anC
| forward between it and the kitchen-ponderiny
whether she had not also q spark of something
divine in her. Eyes, have it, she said a
length. As she said this, she pushed agnins
Angela, an old dame who had come in to asss
her in her duties, let go the dish that held tn
stewed prunes, and broke it, splashing the rcl
red juice over her own white stockings
| care they quite spoiled; !" inquired Sayorini
She gave him familiar push, as if she was re
moving one of her fathers heifers out of he
| way. Let her alone!" cried Pulci, we mus
not punish her for her accident. She has nc
| Clipped a statue or model since she has bee
| with me-"
81 would rather break one of my own limbs,
she exclaimed. Z" Bravo!' cried they all; an(
after complimenting her, they went on talkin
of their art, as cheerily as if they had net bee
disappointed of stewed prunes. Meanwhile
Maria became more and more convinced this
there was a spark of something divine With
her.
From that time she began in secret-in he
own little bedroom-to endeavor to produC
some of the forms of beauty that filled her mint
The clay became life-like in her hands and, i
a very short time, she almost started with SUI
prise at beholding lovely countenance lookir
out from the uniformed mass which she ha
placed on her window sill. A natural fear
being ridiculed and repressed, prevented hi
from contding her projects and her studies
her master. But her secret was too troubl,
some to be kept entirely to herself At first 81
thought of the engraver, Savorini and possibl
it would have been well had his honest love the
found favor in her eyes. But the remembrance
of his rough gallantries made her fearful of col
hding in him. There was Caterina, the daugl
ter of Angela; but, when she came to gossip
evenings, all her talk was about the handson
cavaliers who looked at her in ehurch-impiol
men-and followed her home, trying to talk mol
sense. This was not proper confdant; SO 81
chose my old doctor, Corona, who had attend,
her in an illness, and won her confidence by Ii
benevolent manners She went to him, ma
him promise secrecy as if he had been going
confess murder, and revealed that she felt tt
| power to become great artist
"My fame will fill the world" said she
60 But will it fill your heart p
''That is full already--of hope.'
He saw that she did not come for advice b
encouragement; and he encouraged her. /
would have preferred had she told all to Mast
Pulci but the artist, though good and kin
had something cold and satirical in his manne
"He will never believe in me-" said Mari
g until he sees that | can do something. He
not man of faith. Besides, who will adm
genius in the person that cooks ones Dime
These hands that have made so many mess
can do nothing but spoil marble, he will think
ssShe must take care,n thought Corona, ''n
to deceive herself as to the motive that max
her unwilling to communicate her ambition
her master. If | mistake not, she hopes to da
zle him