The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-09-28
From Chambers Journal.l
The Painter and His Pupil.
A FLEMISH STORY.

com fort. We gave and received visits from
q few old friends; we went occasionally TO
the theatre, and my father had his tulip gar.
den and summer.house at little distance
from Schiedam, on the banks of the cana
which connects the town with the river.
But my father and mother, whose only
child was, cherished one dream Of ambition,
in which, fortunately, my own tastes led
me to participate they wanted me to be.
come painter. "Let me but see picture
by Frahz Linden in the gallery at Rotter-
dam,' said my father, "and shall die hap
py." So, at fourteen years of age, was
removed from school, and placed in the
classes of Messrs Kesser, an artist living OF
Delft. Here | made such progress, that by
the time had resched my nineteenth birth
day, was transferred to the ateLier of Hans
Won Roos, descendant of the celebrated
family of that name. Won Roos was not
more than thirty. eight or forty, and had al
ready acquired n considerable reputation as
painter of portraits and sacred subjects
There was an aItsr.piece of his in one Of our
finest churches !; his works had occupied the
place of honor for the last six years at The
annual exhibition and for portrature he
numbered among his patrons most OF the
wealthy merchants and burgomas,ers of the
city. Indeed, there could be TO question
that my master was rapidly acquiring for
tune equal to his popularity.
Still, he was not cheerful man. 1t was
whispered by the pupils that he had met with
disap appointment early in life-that he had
loved, was accepted, and on the eve Of mar
riage was rejected by the lady for a more
wealthy suitor. The story, however. was
founded merely on conjecture, if not origi-
mating in pure fable for no one in Rotter'
dam knew the history of his youth. He
came from Friesland, in the north of Hol-
land when a very young man he had al
ways been the same gloomy, pallid, labor
loving citizen. He was rigid Cavnist
he was sparng of domestic expenditure, and
liberal to the poor this every one could tell
YOU, and no one knew more.
The number of his pupils was limited to
six. He kept us continually at work, and
scarcely permitted US to exchange word
with each other during the day. Standing
there among US SO silently, with the ligh,
from above shining down upon his pa)ic
tuce, and contrasting with the sombre folds
of his long black dressing. gown, he looked
almost like some stern old picture himself
To tell the truth. we were all afraid Of him;
not that lie assumed any overbearing author
ity on the contrary, he was stately, silent
and irigidly polite aud that was far more
impressive. None Of US resided ln his house
for he lived in the deepest seclusion. ] hat
second floor in q neigbboring street, ant
two of my fellow-students occupied rooms il
the same house. We used to meet at nigh
in each others chambers, and make excur
sions TO the exhibitions and theatres an'
, sometimes, on a summers evening, we woul'
hire pleasure boat, and row for mile o
two down the river. We were merry enougl
then, and not quite SO silent promise you
as in the gloomy studio of Hans van Roos.
In the mean time, I was ambitious ant
anxious to CLEAN every benefit from my m as
ter's instructions. imbroved rapidly, ant
my paintings soon exceled those OF the 9th
f., ,nf in IN
subjects, like those of Van Roos, but rathe
= to the familiar rural style OF Berghem an
Paul Potter. was singularIy Fortunate
NV master never praised me by word or look
y but when my father came up one day fror
Schiedam 60 visit me, he drew him aside an
, told him, in voice lD0udlble TO the res
- that "Messer Frarz would be credit to tn
profession :" " Lich So delighted my (atheI
: that he straightway took me out with hi'
for the day, and. alter giving me fifteen goi
. pieces as testimony OF his satisfaction
took me to dine with his friend, the burgt
8 master, Won Gael. 1t was an eventiul Wis
for me. On that evening frs! learned
love.
~ Few people, I think, at the time wouI
- have denied the personal attractions Of Ge
uude Won Gael yet do not know that
Q was so much her features as her soft voie
and gentle womanly grace that SO complet
10 " fascinated me. Though SO young, 81
y performed the honors of her fathers prince
D table with self,possession and good breedin
In the evening, she sang some sweet Ge
;" y, man songs to her own simple accompaniment
d" We talked Of books and of poetry. foul
- her we'll read in English, French and &c
y man literature. We spoke of art !; and 81
discovered both judgment and enthusiasm.
d. AS we took our leave at night, the burg
Ir. master shook me warmly by the hand, a
If told me to come often. fancied that G.
Is trude's blue eyes frightened when he said
nd and | felt the color rush quickly to my bre
,r. as | bowed and thanked him.
of HFraDz," said my father, when we we
Is. once more in the street, show old are you
o "Just twenty-five, sir" ! replied, ratt
us surprised at the question. s. .str .,....
As "You will not be dependent on your bru'
Ii. my boys" continued my father, as he lean
u on my arm and looked back at the 10
to mansion we had just left. 81 have be
rs neither wasteful nor unsuccessful, and it "
re be my pride to leave you . respectable
et come at my DEATH" ...r .-a.r......4 g.