Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-06-06
WRITER FoR THE WABASH EXPRESS
The Portrait, or an Authors COurtShip
ny A LADY

1t reached its present perfection. Th
, most approved mode of securing likenesse
was by having them painted, either upo
- canvas or ivory. At the period of whc
we are writing, Claude Delisle, a French
man, was the most eminent portrait painte
in New York. 1t was one chilly day earl,
in April that Edith Romayn, accompanied
by her friend, Kate Vincent, entered th,
Artists studio, where the former had sa
several times, for her portrait. This wa,
to be the last sitting, and as the young la
dy had always felt the greatest aversion tc
sit for apicture, it was with feelings of in.
finite relief that she arose from the artists
chair on this occasion.
"This is the first portrait l have had
painted since / was a child" exclaim-
, ed Edith, as she prepared to leave. "when
my portait was then painted, l became SO
tired of it during the process, that l de.
clared never would sit for another. /
have allowed myself to be overpersuad ded
by Aunt Sue. hope she will be satisfied
with this, which she assured me sho would
always regard as one of her most valuable
treasures. ! am determined now to adhere
to my former resolution for all time, never
to sit for another picture of any descrip
tion."
"1f you have formed that resolution
then it will be useless for me 10 insist up
on your making me present of your like
ness. | was just going to ask you as fa-
vor, to have Mr.. Delisle paint your minia-
ture for me. When you are determined
that you will not do thing, I know that it
is unavailing to urge you, and that you
seldom break resolution, but | should
not be surprised at any time 10 hear of you
changing your mind in this respect. Mr.
Delisle," said the speaker, 81 have no
doubt but what sometime she will want her
features painted for some suitor, and when
she does, while you are aboutit, paint two.
1t rather surprises me. Edith, that you
have lived 10 be Of so mature an age with
out having disposed of ono in that way be-
fore''
"Thank you, | am not quite as anti.
quated as a mummy, yet, but if you wait
for my picture till have it painted for
lover, you will certainly never obtain one
never intend to give my likeness to any
gentleman, lover or no lover. l am op.
posed to bestowing such gifts upon suit
ors, from principle. They always assure
their inamoratas that they wear their "pic-
tured image" next their hearts, that they
look at them every day, almost every hour,
and make other remarks. equally foolish
and untrue. There is my brother who is
my ideal of manly perfection, and yet
have no doubt that he has tried to impose
on you in that manner. For days together,
your miniature, your gift to him, lies upon
my table, and he never once glances at it :;
and presume that he has assured you
time and again, that day never passed
without his looking at it, and how forcibly
it brings you to his mind"
In leaving the room. Edith requested the
artist to send the portrait to Mrs. Van AL
styne as soon as finished, as she would
like to see it completed before she return
ed home.
In the same room occupied by the artist,
hid from observation 10y screen, sat
young gentleman at a table writing. So
absorbed had he become in his occupation
that he was unconscious of the presence of
others in the apartment till wearied by la
Dor he paused for a few minutes rest. 1t
was then that his attention was arrested By
the above conversation.
The voice of Edith, which was charm
ingly musical, seemed to cast a spell of en-
chantment around our hero, who remained
in profound reverie, till Delisle's hand
was laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
and he was thus addressed by him:
! "You most impractical of men, you in :
corrigible day dreamer. arouse yourself and
tell me of what and of whom you are
dreamingf"
"I was thinkiHg of that young lady IS
voice, replied his companion. Deisle, it
is strange fancy of mine; but / have
/; been seized with an uncomfortable desire
to become the pOssessor of that young la.
: days picture. / wish you would copy a
miniature for me, from the portrait, won'l
( your"
8 "I suppose that can copy it for you
, but can't imagine what you want Of, ol
f can do with the picture of that girl. Yor
have never seen her but once; she is no
attractive enough for one to fall in love
with at first sight, you do not know he
e name, who she is, what she is, nor where
Y she lives. By inquiry can ascertain al
about her, and will, if you wish, or cal
3 make any use of the knowledge. All tha
i | know of her is, that she is niece O
. Mrs. Van Alstyne, very intimate with tn
Vincents, both Of whom are amongst tn
5 wealshiest, most aristocratic families O
d New York, and the young lady in ques
u ton frequently visits the city, particular
Is ly her Aunt, with whom she appears to b
!" a great favorite."
a. "Spare yourself any trouble on my ac
i. count, do not wish TO know her name
nor do 1 ever expect to see her again.
is will admit that she is not pretty, but sh
ut has a splendidly formed head, her dar
eyes beam with intelligence. and her voic
it sounded as musically to my ear,
!" that of Eleanor, which romancers tell u
&c almost persuaded Saladin in his youth
T. adore the God of the Crusader. II l kne
IL her, / should doubtless worship her as
as woman superior to most of her sex. 4
o' far as expecting to love her, or any 9th
Ill woman, that / shall never do. ha
be not the time to devote TO love, and l mu
not permit it To interfere with my amt
- ton TO become great. / never intend
. marry. | am welded to books, and shs
= spend my life in study and travelling, as
a., have heretofore spent it"
SO. Edith Romayn and Kate Vincent, who
cir acquaintance we first made in the stud
of Claude Delisle, had been intims
.f.o-o oh;idhoo1 Kafo D;nco,