Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-07-03
A Scene of Retribution.

A picture representing the sale of a quantity of
od furniture seized for rent exhibited some years
PACK IN the window of dealer in the Place de Ia
Maoehne Paris, and attracted considerable attention
IN inc foreground was placed poor woman holding
| IN her arms child and watching with sorrovinp
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 we
see the personages connected with the SALE represent
ed with great vigor. The following is stated by a
Lyons journal to be the history of the depicted
~ few years since, the painter of the picture 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. woman
was seated the pavement with child in her arms
The painter spoke 10 her. and told that the fur
niure which was being sold belonged to her; that
her husband had lately died, leaving ber with the
child she had in her that size had struggled
hard to maintain herself by working day and night,
and submitting to every privaon, but that her land
lord 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
VINO was her landlord. There be s,' replied the
oor woman, pointing to who was watching
the progress OF the sale and be was recognized BY
the painter as person who suspected of having
amassed considerable fortune by usury so that to
make any appeal TO his feelings on be ehaf of the poor
widow would be useless The artist was consider.
ing with himself what other plan he could adopt TO
benefit her, when the cfer announced picture for
sale. 1t was miserable daub, which in the summer
the poor woman had used 10 hide the hole in the
wall through which the stove pipe passed during the
winter. 1t was put up at one franc The artist at
once conceived plan for taking revenge the land
lord He went over, examined the picture with great
attention, and then called out with loud voice,
| One hundred francs = The landlord was astounded
at the bid, but conceivng that picture for which
SO eminent artist could offer that sum was worth
more than double, boldly offered 2O0E Five hun
dred said the painter and the contest between the
two bidders became animated that the prize was
at lcngth knocked down to the landlord at 2,2OOf
" The purchaser then addressing the painter, said,
In seeing artist of your merit bid SO eagerly for
the picture, suppose that it must be valuable. Now
tell me, sir, at what do you estimate its value O.
About three francs and half replied the painter
but would not give that for it. You are surely
jestng,' said the landlord, for you bid as high as
2100t. for it, That is true replied the artist and
| will tell you why did so. You in possession
of an income of 2O,O0Of. year, and have seized on
The furniture of poor woman for debt of 200f-
| wished to give you lesson and you fell into my
trap. Instead Of the poor woman being your debtor,
she is now your creditor and l fater myself you
will not compel her to seize your furniture for
her debt The artist then politely saluted the as
tonished landlord, and having announced her good
fortune TO the poor woman walked away"