The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-02-17


The cousin reflected for q moment on
the absolute serenity Of Burr's manner,
and concluding that he would eerta ny
have mentioned so interesting an occur
ence if it had taken place, was still utter
ly incredulous, and, denouncing the report
as false, went on his way. Before turn
ing into WalI-street, be found the whole
city astir, and soon had reason to suspect
that the bulletin was only too true. So
completely could Burr command his fea-
lures and conceal his feelings. ,eI. sai 4
He was riding alone in a currcle and
pair, one day, during his senatorial term,
when one of his horses lost shoe, and
he stopped at the n:xt blacksmith's shop
to get it replaced. 1t was a lonely coun-
try place, not far from Kingston in VI
stcr county, New York, He strolled
about while the blacksmith was at work,
and returning, saw upon the side of a
stable near by charcoal drawing Of his
own curricle and horses. The picture
Which must have been executed in ver-
Y few minutes, was wonderfully accu-
rate and spirited, and he stood admiring
it for some time. Turning round, he no
ticcd small boy, a little way off, dressed
in coarse homespdn.
who did that?' inquired Burr pon-
ting to the picture.
Il did it, said the boy.
The astonshed traveller entered into
conversation with the lad, found him in
telligcnt, though ignorant, learned that
he was born in the neighborhood. had
had no instruction in drawing, and was
engaged to work for the blacksmith six
months. Burr wrote few words OF a
piece of paper, and said, as he wrote, my
boy you are too smart fellow to stay
here al your life. If ever you should
want to change your employment, and
see the world, just put a clean shirt into
your pocket, 50 to New J ork and 60
straight to that address,-handing the
boy the PAPER. aaaa
He then mounted his curricle and was
out of sight in a moment Months pass
ed away. and the circumstance had near
" faded from the busy senator's reccol-
lection. AS he was sitting at breakfast
one morning at Richmond Hill, servant
put into lis hand a small paper parcel,
saying it was handed to him by small
boy who was then waiting to see Inn
outside.
Burr opened the parcel. and found a
coarse, country-made, clean shirt. Sup
posing it to be a mistake, he ordered the
boy to be shown iu. Who should enter
but the genius Of the roadside, who pla-
ced in his hand the identical piece of pa
per he had given him. The lad was
warmly welcomed. Burr took him into
his family, educated him, and procured
him instruction in the art which nature
had indicated should be the occupation
of his lifetime. Afterwarl, Burr sent him
to Europe, where he spent five years in
the study of painting, and became an ar
fist worthy Of the name.
While Burr himself was wandering in
Europe Vanderlyn was exhibiting pictures
in the Louvre at Paris, and receiving
from Napoleon gold medal, besides
compliments and Fluctuations from the
Emperor's own lips. Vanderlyn did all
he could for his benefactor in Paris; but
unfortunately he had the successful artists
usual fortuno-poverty embittered by glo-
ry.
He afterward had a commission from
Congress, and painted the well-known
Landing of Columbus for panel in
the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington.
He also painted the portraits of Colonel
Burr and Theodosia from which the en-
cravings were taken by which their Inca
ments are now known to the public
Vanderlyn died only five years ago, at
Kingston, near the spot where he drew
the charcoal sketch which decided his ca
reer"
VERY DEMONSTRATIONS is a touching
description of moonlight scene: