The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-17
Terrible Revenge.

Terrible Revenge.
A late Partisan newspaper tells the following
story of wealthy Englshman, who may con-
stantly be seen at the Grand Opera, and who
enjoys great reputation as an amateur of
painting. How the reputation was acquired
you will presently see:
He was one of those Bedouin Englishmen
who live alternately in the European capitals
except when they are on an occasional jaunt to
Egypt, or to China, or to India, or to the Holy
Land. He never travelled alone his wife was
with him his bona fde wfe-for, notwith-
standing his errant life. $50 apt to weaken ones
morals" he had all the English respect for the
She was beautiful woman, one ofthOse 'kecp-
sake" beauties, that once seen, make man
dream forever. Her social success was very
great in all the cities they visited.
In Rome, after being married some years,
they became acquainted with an artist of good
reputation, who, to his art joined the learning
of Benedictne, and knew the city of Rome as
we'll as Winkleman, or ViscOnti. The German
volunteered to he their cicerone in the Eternal
City-they gladly accepted the offer. Many
were the hours they passed in the Museum of
the capital, in the Vatican, in St. Peters, and
in the delightful excursions they made in the
environs of Rome.
The artist became in love with the English
lady she reciprocated his affections The hus-
band was long time in seeing this stain upon
his honor. Several months passed away before
he perceived it, for he was very much pleased
with the artist, and they had long been on the
most intimate footing. Although stung to the
quick by such base faithlessness and gross viO-
lation of the laws of hospitality and friendship,
he said nothing he disliked scenes. He was
nevertheless determined upon complete re-
venge, and he appealed to cooler reflections to
furnish a suitable punishment as the passions
are bad counsellors.
He left Italy, and retired with his wife to
England saying nothing but au revOir to the
artist. When he reached England, he told his
wife of the painful discovery he had made and
gave her back to her fathers hands.
He then returned to the Continent alone, vi
sited Germany, Russia and France, where he
purchased great many paintings, and at last
two years had now passed away since their
last meeting-he called on the German painter
who still lived in Rome, and demanded salts
faction from him.
His challenge was accepted, and the English
man, according to the European custom, being
the offended party, selected the weapons; he
chose pistols. During the last two years he
had practised daily for several hours, and bis
known address with the pistol had become an
|
wherever he wished it to go.
The parties went to the ground they were
placed at thirty PAGES apart, with the privilege
of advancing ten PAGES before firing. The sig
nal was given
Zone! Two Fire ~
The last word was hardly out of the seconds
mouth, when the Englishman fired without
moving. His antagonists pistol fell from bis
hand, and was discharged by the fall, the ball
burying itself in the ground. The English
mans ball had shattered the artists wrist an
amputation was necessary his career of artist
was ended-and forever!
A few days after the amputation, the English
man called on him. and without noticing the
angry reception he met with, said to the suffer-
ing artist
elf you think that my vengeance is satisfied
with your shattered hand, and the wreck of
your artists career, you strangely underrate
the agony of deceived, dishonored husband.
have condemned you to life ofvain regrets,
to never ending series of impotent sighs-to
q total oblivion by all amateurs and historians
of art"
40, no sill, interrupted the artist, his face
beaming with ray of hope, I" the last you can
not do. My Madonna, at St. Petersburg; my
Luther. at Berlin; my Flight into Egypt, at
Paris MY
The Englishman interrupted him in turn.
OpdTc Iue, Sdlu liz, Vic udIucS VI yOuT
works !; but look at this catalogue, and see if
have not the exact list of them all?"
eyes, they are all here--even the painting l
finished the day before the DUEL"
$50 was persuaded. All the paintings in
this catalogue are my property. Being my
property. do with them what please, and
please to burn them-aye, to burn every one
Of them, that your name shall be efiaced from
the glorious roll of artists. In two hours from
this time, your toll, your conceptions, your
skill, will be as completely cffaced from this
world as the lines which the urchin traces in
the sand are effaced by the rising tide. Fire is
as destructive as water"
In vain the poor artist begged for mercy.
The wronged man was insensible to his suppl
cations and in two hours the servant brought
to the artists room a large earthen vessel,
commonly used to contain oil, filled with ash
es. 1t was all that remained of the artists
paintings.