The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-06-13
listened" )" said the boy, made bolder by the

listened" said the boy, made bolder by tn
sOftened tone of his master.
You did moro than listen-by the ol,
patron of Spain you profitod by my in
structions !" answer ed the painter, whose ad
miratiOn burst forth in spite of himself -
Gentlemen" added he, "does this chil(
deserve punishment or a reward p
At the word punishment, Sebastian grew
giddy; the word reward, terminated him
still thinking his ears deceived him, he look
ed timidly towards his master, as if to i'm
plore forbearance.
! "A recompense, senor," exclaimed oil the
tstudents at once.
"T That is true; but what recompen.e
Sebastian recovered his breath.
! At least ten ducats," cried Mendez.
! "Ohl fifteen gentlemen" said Fernan'
dee.
"No," said Gonzales. "a new dress for
the Feast Of the Blessed Virgin"
"Speak for yourself, Sebastian" /" said Ma
rillo, looking at his slave; for he did not ap-
pear to heed the suggestions of the students.
Are these rewards to your tastef i am
pleased with thee, child-with your compo.
| sition, your light and admirable touch, your
| flesh.tints, with this Virgins face, and with
| all your pencil has created; and will grant
whatever you wish. Yes! speak! tell me
| what you may desire-do not fear, Sebas'
tian! swear, by the soul Of my father,
that whatever you may ask-if it is in my
power-shsll be granted!'
Oh master if dared" And Sc
bastian fell on his knees before his master |;
he jeined his hands, and in the parted lips
of the boy--in his eager eyes-his brow
stamped by genius-a wild thought was vsi-
bic, which tlmidity prevented him from ex-
pressing.
Thinking to make him boldcr, or to sug
gest brilliant idea, each student gave him
friendly tap, whispering in his ear:
ASK him for gold, Sebastian. Ask him
for some handsome clothes. Ask him 10
take you for his pupil, Sebastian"
-" Ask him for the best place in the stu
did," said Gonzalos-whose easel was in
the most ill.lit place; he being the latest
pupil.
Come SebastianI courage!" said senior
Murillo, smiling at the indeciSion, which he
thought the child felt" decide, and ask"
The master is so good to-day" said Fer
nandez, almost aloud, that you had better
ask for your liberty"
Sebastian uttered cry of anguish; then
raising his eyes TO his master, he exclaimed,
in voice choked with tears;
"Ohi my fathers freedom! my fathers s
freedom, mssteri'
"And thine, too, child" said Muri'lo !;
and unable to control his emotion, he caught
up Sebastian in his arms, and pressed him
10 his breast.
Thy pencil has proved thee to be man
Of genius-thy request proves thee to De
man Of feelinc--thou art thus a complete
artist. From this dav, not only art thou
my pupil. but my child' Happy Muriilo
have done more than make pictures, /
have made painterl"
Murillo kept his word and Sebastian
Gomez-better known as Murillo's mulat
to, to,"-became, thanks to his master. one OF
the greatest painters Spain has ever known.
In the churches of Seville, his Virgin Ma
~ with the Infant Jesus in her arms" his
"St Ann" his "St. Joseph" and Christ
bound to the cross with 81. Peter at his
feet. are beyond all praise.
Here was a child, obsoureiy born. who
sprung into celebrity by his own merit. Ii
it be noble to bear with honor the name OF
ones parents, how much more noble is il to
make a name, iliustrious in itself.