True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-06-03
Model wife.

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AModel wife.
One Of our famous American sculptors,
residing in that delightful city, Florence,
whittier all the genius Of England and A.
merica seems to tend, was one day seat
ed in his studio, at work on an Apollo
for which. by-the-way, he might stand as
model himselC-when his attention was
attracted by tremendous tramping Of
horses in his courtyard. He looked out
of his window and beheId a magnificent
carriage, with outriders, drawn up before
his door. Presently gentleman claim
ed admission to his studio. and an.
nounced himself as Prince di B.. He
came to give'the sculptor a large commits
sion. His daug Inter, who had been struck
by some statues Of the American she had
seen, wished to sit to him for her bust. -
She was then below in the carriage
Was the sculptor at leisure? Price was
no object; all that was necessary was to
crafty his daughter, who was an invalid.
The sculptor expressed his willingness
to begin the work instantly, andthe Prince
making a sign to his lackeys from The
window, they proceeded 10 lift lovely
4 girl, who seemed about eighteen, out Of
the carriage, and bore her in their arms
carefully up stairs 10 the artists studio.
The sculptor couldnot repress a look Of
1 fsurprise at the curions mode of locomo-
II tion, particularly as the lady did rot bear
the slightest trace of illness in her coun-
tenance. Tie Prince interpreted his
glance. and replied to it. ~
I "My daughter has been paralyzed in
all her limbs" he said, "for the last two
months. 1t is sad thing. She has bad
all the medical aid in Florence, but with
out avail"
j The sculptor looked again at the inva-
lid. Nothing more beautiful in face or
form could have been dreamed of by
i Phydias. A face like Cenci's before it
was cloudeil by the memory Of crime |;
masses of rich, lusirious auburn hair, fra
ming clear, pale face, with deep blue
eyes swimming beneath fringe Of the
siIkiest black lashes. Through her deli
cate muslin robe the contour Of divine
Ily moulded form was indicated, and when
/, the young Signorina cast upon the sculp.
, ter a rapid glance, soft as starlight, pier
: cling as eclectric fire, he felt his heart leap
with mysterious presage of some indef'
, mite catastrophe.
! She sat. The sculptor worked at his
model like one inspired, and pang struck
his heart as the hour for her retiring
came. The Prince and his lackeys bore
g her again down stairs in their arms. The
carriage door closed on her; the horse:
(. swept through the gate. The sculptor
/. did not work that day.
Tomorrow she was 10 come again
He lay awake all night dreaming Of her
Then he would shudder, and say TO him
r self, ''It is moi love, but pity, that / feel
' She is paralytic!'
J.. The next day the same scene was re
peated, with this difference, that th,
n Prince having seen Iris daughter poset
I by the artist, excused himself on the plei
! Of business engagement. saying that ht
would return in timeto conduct his daugh
/ Ter home. Poor girl! although the sculp
n Ter was a model Of manly beauty, her de
e plorable condition was, in her father
h opinion, safeguard against any Of th
J, dangers which he might otherwise hav
y anticipated. He left The room and droyt
/ away in his carriage. A silence ensued
The sculptor dared not look at his mod
: el, but worked away on his clay mag
/. without raising his eyes. Still a silence
l. Then il seemed as il slight rustic ha
y filed the room. A small white han,
2 stole across his mouth. and a burning kis
Ie was printed on bis forehead. With al
rs most shrek he leaped to his feet, en-,
e there. with bushes crimsoning her pal
8 cheeks and alabaster neck, knelt The pal
le alytic girl, with her beautiful eyes implc
d ring pardon.
u 81 saw you long time ago. she ssit
81 fan Italian woman, when she loyet
% knows no half measure, .and love,
le you My father was very strict with me
IS ! could not move without being watched
fe It was impossible for me to meet you .
to see YOU. Ifeigned paralysis. For tw
" months | have scarcely moved. In hi
le pity for my condition, my father relaxe
Ie his surveillance Of my motions. He grs
A. fed every wish, and, as an invalid, ! .,
d. cited no suspicion BY desiring 70 becom
nf your sitter. 4 have said that1I loved yol
ST II you do not return my love, | can ohl
al die I'''s' '.''ss s''s
he What answer made the Americap! w
i. need not inquire, only when Tie Primo