Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-08-06
A Scene of RetributiOn.

n picture representing the SAFE OF
quantity of old furniture seized for rent
was exhibited some years back in the
window of a dealer in the Place de la
Madeleine, Paris, and attracted considera-
bic attention. In the fore ground was
placed a poor woman holding in her arms
a child and watching with a sorrowful eye
the PROCESS of the sale. The sweet face
of the child stood in strong contrast to the
distressed countenance of the poor mother.
Further back were the personages connect
ed with the sale, represented with great
vigor. The following is stated by Ly-
ons journal 10 be the history of the scene
depicted:
"a few years since the painter of this
picture in question, an eminent artist at
Lyons, while passing through the Rue des
Terreaux approaches a number of persons
who were gathered together Witnessing the
sale of the furniture of poor workman
A woman was seated on the pavement with
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
struggled hard to maintain herself by work
inc day and night and submitting to eve
ry privation, and 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 re-
cital, and inquired who was her landlord
''There he is"' replied the poor woman,
pointing to man who was watching the
progress of the sale, and hs was recognized
by the painter as person who was sus-
pected of having amassed considerable
fortune by usury so that to make any ap-
peal to his feelings on the 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 miserable daub, which in the sum-
mer the poor woman had used to hide the
hole in the wall through which the pipe of
stove passed during in the winter. 1t was
put up at one franc. The artist at once
conceived plan for taking revenge of the
landlord. He went over, examining the
picture with loud voice, "One hundred
francesw The landlord was astounded at
the bid, but conceiving that picture for
which so eminent an artist could offer that
sum was worth more than double, boldly
offered 2O0f. ''Five hundredw said the
painter and the contest beteen the two bid
ders became so animated that the prize
was at length knocked down to the land
lord at 2,2OOf! The purchasers then ad-
dressing the painter. ain seeing an artist
of your merit bid so eagerly for the picture
l supposed that it must be valuable. Now
tell me, Sir, at what do you estimate its
value?" "About three frances and half"
replied the painter, "but would not give
that for it,
"You are surely jesting," said the land
lord, "for you bid as high as 2,1OOf. for it."
"That is true" replied the artist "and
| will tell you why did so. You are in
possession of an income of 25,0OOf. year,
have seized on the furniture of poor wo-
man for a 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 flat
ter myself you will not compel her to seize
on your furniture for her debt" The
artist then politely saluted the astonish-
ed landlord, and having announced his
good fortune to the poor woman walked
away.