The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1858-11-25
The Story of a Picture.

/ iuduttty VI oiu luIIIiluIC sciLcu III
rent, was exhibited some years back
in the window ofa dealer in the Place
de la Madeleine, Paris, and attracted
considerable attention.. In the fore
ground was placed a poor woman
holding in her arms child, and
watching with sorrowlul eye the
progress of the sale. The sweet face
Of the child stood out in strong con-
trast to the distressed countcnance of
the poor mother. Further back were
the personages connected with the
sale, represented with great vigor.
The following is the history Of the
scene depicted
"A few years since the painter of
the picture in question, an eminent
artist at Lyons, while passing through
the Rue dcs Terrcaux, approached II
number Of persons who were gathered
togcthr witnessing the sale of the
furniture Of a poor workman. A wo-
man was seated on the pavement with
Il child in her arms. The painter
spoke to her, and was told that the
furniture which was being sold belong.
ed to her; that her husband had lately
died, leaving her with the child she
had in her arms, that she had strur-
g'cd hard to maintain herself bv
working day and night and submitted
to every privation, but that her land
lord had at length seized her furniture
for some months rent which was due
him. The altiSt was much affected
by this simple recital, and inquired
who was her landlord. There he is
replied the poor woman, pointing to n
man who was watching the progress
OF the sale, and he was recognized BY
the painter as a person who was Sus-
pcctcd Of having amasscd cCnSid-
cradle fortune by usury, 50 that to
make any appeal to his feelings on be-
half Of the poor widow would be USE
less. Tnc artist was considering
within himself what other plan he
could adopt to benefit her, when the
cricr announced Il 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 had passed du-
ring the winter. 1t was put up at one
franc. The artist at once conceived
plan for taking revenge of the land.
lord. He went over, examining the
picture with great attention. and then
called out in a loud voice, 'onc hun.
drcd lrancSr
The landlord was astonishcd at the
bid, but conceived that picture ior
which so eminent an artist could offer
that sum, was worth more than double
boldly offered 200f. Five hundred"
said the painter, and the contest be-
tween the bidders became so animated
that the prize was at length knocked
down to the landlord at 2,2O0G! The
purchaser then addressing the painter
said, in seeing an artist Of your merit
bid so eagerly for the picture, sup
posed that it must be valuable. Now
tell me sir, at what do you estimate its
value" About three francs and
half replied the painter, but would
not give that for it, "You are surely
jcsting,' said the landlord, for you bid
as high as 2,l00r for it, That is true'
replied the artist, And will tell you
why did so. You are in possession
ofan income Of 25,OJOG. year, have
seized on the furniture Of poor wo-
man for a debt of 2uOf. wished to
give you lesson, and you fell into my
trap. Instead oflhc poor woman be-
ing your debtor, she is now your cred
itor, and llattcr myself you will not
compel her TO seize on your furniture
for debt The artist then politely
salutcd the astonishcd landlord, and
having announced her good fortune to
the poor woman, walked away.