The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-18
A Scene OF RetributiOn.

| A picture representing the sale of guam
tity of old furniture seized for rent was ex-
hibited some wears back in the window Of a
dealer in the Place de Ia Madeline PARIS, and
attracted considerable attention. In the fore
ground was placed poor woman, and hold
ing in her arms child, and watchingSwith a
sorrowing eye the progress of the sale. The
sweet face of the child stood out in strong
contrast to the distressed countenance of the
poor mother Further back were the par
sonages connected with the sale, represented
with great vigor. Tine following is stated by
Lyons journal to be the history of the
| scene depicted.
A few years since the painter of the pic
ture in question, an eminent artist at Lyons,
while passing through the Rue des Ferraux,
approached number of persons who were
gathered together, witnessing the sale of the
furniture of poor woman. A woman was
seated on the pavement with a child in her
arms. The painter spoke to her, and was
told that the furniture which was being sold
belonged to her; that her husband had lately
died, leaving her with the child she had in
her arms that she had struggled hard to
maintain herself and her child by working day
and night, and submitting to every privatiOn,
but that her landlord had at length seized
her furniture for some months rent, which
was due him. The artist was much affected
by this simple recital, and inquired who was
her landlord. "1here he is," replied the
poor woman, pointing to man who was
watching the progress of the sale; and he was
recognized by the painter as person who
was suspected of having amassed a co"sidera-
bic fortune by usury, so that to make appeals
to his feelings on behalf of the poor widow
would be useless.
The artist was considering within himself
what other plan he could adopt to benefit
her, when the crier announced picture for
sale. 1t was a miserable daub, which in the
summer the poor woman had taken to hide
the hole in the wall, through which the pipe
of the stove passed during the winter. 1t
was put up at one franc. The artist at once
conceived plan for taking revenge on the
landlord. He went over, examined the pic
ture with great attention, and then called
out in loud voice, ''One hundred francs !"
The landlord was astounded at the bid but
conceivng that picture for which so emil
nent an artist could offer that sum, was
worth double that amount, boldly offered
200f "Five hundred !" said the painter, and
the contest between the two bidders became
so animated that the prize was at length
Knocked down to the landlord at 2,200f.
The purchaser then addressing the pain
ter, said, "In seeing an artist of your merit
bid so eagerly for the picture, l supposed
that it must be valuable. Now ,ell me, sir,
at what do you estimate its value? "About
three francs and half" replied the painter;
''but but l would not give that for it,
"You are surely jesting," said the lawyer,
for you bid as high as 2, ,1OOf for it. THAT
is true" replied the artist, and l will tell you
why did so. You are in possession of an
income of q, 900 year, and have seized on
the furniture of poor woman for debt
of 2OOf. wished to give you a lesson, and
you fell into my trap Instead of the poor
woman being your debtor, she is now your
creditor and l hope you will give her no trou-
ble in collecting her honest dues" Having
informed the old lady of her good fortune,
he quietly walked away.