The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-08-29


pare to depart. There was one more embrace,
one more kiss, short, fervent prayer, and
then the father and child separated.
It was nearly dusk. In small room in an
upper story of house in one of the out-of-the
way streets of Rome, stood young man. He
was tall and slim, and his face was very pale.
One would hardly recognize in the form of that
man the Luigi Marino of boyhood; but he it
was The dark masses of hair hung careless
ly down over his shoulders, and the large,
black eyes were brilliant as ever. All around
him were the implements of the painter, and
the walls were covered with anatomical sketch
es and drawings. He still held the palette and
brushes in his hand, and before him stood
large canvass, upon which he had been paint
ing. The canvass was very large, for its top
reached nearly to the ceiling; and near at
hand stood step ladder upon which the paint
er must have stood to command sweep of
his work.
Presently there came slight knocking at
the door, but the painter did not hear it. The
knocking was louder, but still he moved not
In a moment more the door was opened, and
on old woman entered.
''Now, good master Marino, have done with
thy moping here, and eat something. By our
lady, thy face is grown sharp as a yulture's
beak."
=
smile broke over his features.
s'It is finished, Maud, !" he said. "My work
is done. / will eat now to the hearts con-
tent"
AS he spoke, he moved to one side to allow
the woman to come out. She advanced and
gazed upon the picture. She stood for some
moments completely awe. struck.
s'Poor man." she at length murmured, at
the same time wiping her eyes. 80 what tor
ture-what agony"
sThen you think it truthful" said Luigi;
not little hattered by the emotions of his Kind
old hostess.
cit is too truthful" said Maud. It's terri.
bic. L should not sleep if that was in my
room."
& The young painter smiled again, and then
he laid away his palette and brushes. He
breathed long breath, when he turned again
towards his picture, and shade of pain swept
across his features.
ssIt may fail" he murmured to himself.
Maud did not hear him, and when she had
gazed upon the canvass long enough, she badc
the young man come and eat.
1t was the evening of the next day that Lu-
igi Marino was again in his studio; but now
there were two men with him-one of them a
priest, and the other a soldier.
"You are sure you can get admittance
there" said the painter, in a doubling tone.
Certainly" replied the priest. 81 can
pass into the Vatican, and the keeper OF the
great gallery will let me into his province.
paintings have already been carried in.
esAh, uttered Luigi, Sand has judgment
been passed on them?"
'.No, His Holiness has not even seen them
He goes tomorrow to the Museum"
card my painting shall be therew
eyes"
'.Then be sure that it is in q good light
Place it as l have directed.
s'And think you will gain all you could
ask, )" added the priest, as he looked again upor
the picture, which was barely distinguished ii
the light of the lamp.
The painter again shook his head in pain
full mood, but he did not speak. lie drew 6
strong curtain securely over the painting, ano
then he gave it up to the two men whom h'
had hired to help him.
'Now where is, this marvellous paintlng!'
cried Innocent x, as he stood in the Museum
gallery of the Vatican, and gazed upon pic
ture which stood before him. 1t was thu
Martyrdom of Said Peter of Alexandria, which
had afforded the painter subject, and he hat
handled his theme with magic pencil. Th'
fearful death struggle of the Alexandriar
bishop was laid upon the canvass with almos
life, and even the dying groan seemed issuing
from the convulsed lips.
"Where is he?" cried the pope, "for by ou
holy mother, he has done us pleasure here"
An usher led forward Luigi Marino. Th'
painter fell upon his knees before the pope
| and when he arose, he looked paler than be
| fore, but there was no trembling, save sligh
quivering of the neither lip.
"Didst thou paint this?" asked the pope
1ooE fret rxpon tho and then IlDoI
| the pale youth, who stood before him.
ayes, holy father, )" returned Luigi.
"Then, by the mass, thou hast Done mos
nobly. We award thee the palm ofexcellence
and thy picture must not leave our palace
! Our purse shall be opened wide for thine ef
fort Name thy price,"
| The painter saw that the pope was in goot
humor-that his admiration was excited-ant
he spoke boldly. @ 90 ;s2-S = =
! 81 do not ask for money" he said, 81 hav
painted this for noble recompense. Long
weary months have 1 spent over that canvass
| have toiled without ceasing-but twas no
for money. have beguiled some moments il
trifing pictures which have brought me tn
means for sustaining life; and this work he'll
above the dross of earth.
"Well, speak on said the Pope, as he look
ed curiously into the face of the painter
"Your words have a strong beginning. w
want the picture, SO thou hadst better not Sc
thy price too high. Come, tell US thy wishes
'Holy father" commenced the young pain
| ter, in earnest tone, '.many years ago Iswas
/ poor boy in great distress. My father wa
i killed by sweeping torrent from the Appe
mines, while I was in his arms. His corps
shielded me, and I was found by noble, gen
erous man, who took me to his home. Tha
man owed me nothing, and yet he became m
/ protector He reared me in early life, an
taue ht ME the path of virtue. All that ar
all that have that is good on earth, I owe t
that man. He is now in tribplation aud i
danger, and would save him 0, hope m
gratitude may reach him." ~
"Who is the manw ae7fe. :,
4 "John de Castro"
A dark shadow fitted across the aged fe,
lures of the pope. aaG
| ssDo you know" he said, looking sternl
upon the painter, 'that by such request ye
! endanger your own life?" +aas f;as
Il dyes holy father r know il full WELL Bl