The Panola star. ([Panola] Panola County, Miss.) 1856-1857, 1856-07-30
SELECT PIECES.
LlEE-LIKE PORTRAIT
BY FRANCIS A. DURIvAGE.

"heh Elnan Nane, the son OF Widow Vane.
a lad OF nineteen, whose taste for art had
been developed without instruction. and
without models of any kind, produced his
hrst picture, portrait of his old mother.
Everybody went to see it, and everybody
pronounced it a striking likeness. Nor
did they err in the decision; but when the
editor of the ''Bird of Freedom a small
newspaper which appeared from time to
time, as circumstances permitted, prom oun-
ced it a splendid work Of art, he only
evinced a desire to pcrvert the truth. The
little paragraph, however, was to the heart
of Ethan Vane like ray of sunshine to
prisoners cell. Hitherto, while loathine
the dreary mechanical toll to which his
boyhood had been condemned, and while
aspiring proudly to rank among the gift
ed ones of earth, he had sometimes doubt
ed his own powers, and it was with tremb-
ling distrust that he had submitted this.
his first serious work, to inspection and
criticism. But now it seemed to him that
his widest wishes were destined to be
crowned with complete success. If he had
accomplished such a marvel, without in.
structiOn, with the rude materials at his
command, what might he not achieve when
few more years had added experience,
when skiful masters had guided his hand,
and when the masterpieces Of the world
had been submitted to his adoring gaze?
He would visit BoSton-he would study
the works of Copley and Allston-he
would 90 abroad--hc would pass years in
Dresden, Dusseldorf, Paris, Rome, and
Florence, improving himself each year,
each month, each day, and return at last
the Raphael, the Michael Angelo of his
dear native land.
And there was nothing selfish in these
wild dreams Of youth. He did not for
moment forget the gray old mother who
had buried SO many children and hus-
band, and who had laviShcd on him, often
wayward as he was, the wealth of her price
less love. lie would fret Of all secure her
comfort. The first fruits of his success
should be devoted to buying her the little
cottage which was her beau ideal Of COM
fort. More than half of all bis golden
harvcsts should be hers.
And it seemed really as If his bright
dreams were destined to be verified. He
was Immediately commissioned to paint
new sign for the Blue Eagle tavern. The
captain of the MALTA company desired to
so down to posterity in regimentals. The
clergyman was not destitute Of vanity and
charity. lie gratifed beth by ordering
new portrait. Other less illastrious per-
sonages followed the example of these
worthless. At five dollars head the young
artist found his talents engaged for some
time to ceme, and yet, at intervals, was
enabled to dash off some landscapes and
some ideal heads, for with the impetuosi-
ty of youth, he was already aiming atthe
most difficult achievements of art before
he had become familiar with its prelimi-
nary steps.
Alas! over this golden dawn of life there
came suddenly a gloom-as thunder
storm springs on us without warning in
the nidst cf a midsammer's day. Ills old
mother sickened and died. The money
designed to lay the foundation OF hcr cot
tage vas expended in conveying her to
her narrow home. Days and nights OF
agony followed this bereavment, and 1t
was with an attenuated frame, blanched
cheek, aad sore spirit, that the yeath
acain resumed his seat before his easel.
His loss, however, had the effect OF
widening and deepening the sympathy al
ready felt for him. His fame spread, and
he now became talked about, not only IN
his native village, but throughout the
whole country. Though he painted now
mechanically, he had plenty of patrons,
and numerous admirers. Among the lat
ter was young girl-an orphan, like
himself, of congenial tastes. Esther har-
low was beautiful in the eyes OF an artist
beautiful with that spiritual beauty
which SO charms us in the Madonnas OF
Raphael. Friendship-intimacy-loV
followed each in rapid succession. Meth
er the artist nor his mistress had near
relatives to interpose with counsels OF
worldly prudence, and, so after the brieles'
courtship, they were married, and snor',y
afterwards Vane removed with his prioe
to Boston, carrying with him a few PIC
lures, on which he prided himself to serve
as an introduction to the people OIL tue
Athenian city. -
But alas from his first visits to lne
studios and galleries, he came home ais-
heartened, and turned all his pictures 70
the wall.
81 must do something better' oe.''
Esther,'' said he, 8" or / shall never WIN
fame as a painter.o