Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-08
A Scene of Retribution.


"A picture representing the sale of quantity
of old furniture seized for rent was exhibited
some wears back in the window of a dealer in
the Place de la Madeline, Paris, and attracted
considerable attention. In the foreground was
placed poor woman, holding in her arms Il
child, and watching with sorrowing eye the
progress of the sale. The sweet face of the child
stood ont in strong contrast TO the distressed
countenance of the poor mother Further back
were the personages connected with the sale
represented with great vigor The following i,
stated by Lyons journal to be the history o.
the scene depicted:
A few years since the painter of the picture
in question, ali eminent artist at Lyons, while
passing through the Rue des Ferrauy, approach.
ed number of persons who were gathered to
gether, witnessing the sale of the furniture OF
poor woman. A woman was seated on the pave
ment with child 10 her arms. The painter
spoke to her, ard was told that the furniture
which was being sold belonged to her; that hel
husband had lately died. leaving her with the
child she had in her arms; that she had strug-
gled hard to maintain herself and her child by
working day and night, and submitting to every
prvation, but that her landlord had at length
seized her furniture for some months rent, which
was due him. The artist was much affected b!
this simple recital, and inquired who was hel
landlord. "There he is" replied the poor wo
man, pointing to man who was watching the
progress of the sale; and he was recognized b!
the painter as q person who was suspected OF
having amassed a considerable fortune by usury,
so that to make any appeal to his feelings on be-
half of the poor widow would be useless. The
artist was considering within himself what 9th
er plan lie could adopt to benefit her, when the
crier announced picture for sale. 1t was
miserable daub, which in the summer the poor
woman had used to hide the hole in the wall,
through which the pipe of the stove passed dur
ing the winter. 1t was put mp at one franc. The
artist at once conceived q plan for taking re-
venge on the landlord. He went over, examin'
ed the picture with great attention, and then
called out with loud voice, One hundred
francs + The landlord was astonished at the
bid, but conceving that picture for which so
eminent an artist could offer that sum was worth
more than double, boldly offered 2OOf. Five
hundred said the painter, and the contest be-
tween 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 painter,
said, "ln seeing an artist of your merit bid so
eagerly for the picture, l supposed that it lnus
be valuable. Now tell me, sir, at what do you
estimate its va!uel" "Aboul three francs and
half" replied the painter; "but l. would not
give that for it," "You are surely jesting," said
the landlord, "fcr you bid as high as 2,1OO for
it, "That is true" replied the artist, "and |
will tell you why did so. You are in posses
sion OF an income OF % .OG0f. a year, and have
seized on the furniture of a poor woman for a
debt of 2O0f wished to give you lesson, and
you fell into my trap. Instead of the poor wo-
man being your debtor, she is now your credit
or, and tiatter myself you will not compel her
to seize on your furniture for her debt" The
artist then politely saluted the astonished land
lord and having announced her good fortune to
the poor womar.. walked away.