Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-08-13
THE PAINTER AND THE POPE.



Six years rolled away, and six years Of
change had come upon the face of earths hu-
manity In one of the dark, cold prisons Of
Rome, sat John de Castro, count of Avella.
He had been convicted of rebellion against
the Holy See, and though he had stoutly as
serted his innocence, yet he had been cruelty
imprisoned He was now pale and wan, for
he sickened beneath the noisome vapors Of
the prison-house, and the death-doom which
hung over him, damped his spirits, and crush
ed his mental energies Sometimes the gen
tie Irene came to visit him, but she came but
seldom, and h,r visits were short, for the pris
op-keeper dared not grant too much favor to
his prisoner
Irene was still beautiful, though melancholy
made her pensive and sad There was little
bloom upon her cheeks, and the light of her
eyes was somewhat dim 1t was the calm,
holy resignation, the cleaning of her purity,
and the soft smile of the Christian that made
her beautiful.
One day she sat by her fathers side in the
cold dungeon. She did not weep, for she had
come to try to comfort her father, and she had
gained the mastery over the tears that dwelt
in her heart.
''Alas, my child" groaned the old man, 'it
is not the death | fear for death would be
welcome Your mother has faded away from
EARTH and ! know she Is now in heaven
If were to die, / should not fear of being sep
arated from her. But it is to leave you that
weighs heavy upon my mind."
''Let not that trouble you, said the faithful
girl at is hard to think of death--to think
of death in such shape ns this---but if you
must think oft, let no thoughts ofearth weigh
you down Look up-look up to God, and
! dwell in hope"
20, my child, uttered the count as he plac-
ed his manacled arms upon her shoulder, and
drew her upon his bosom, ~ know how pure
| is your soul, and know how holy. are your
blessed consultations; but yet | cannot think OF
death, without weeping TO think of leaving
thee Even this cold dungeon seems pal.
ace when you are here o, hope God will
bless you for all your kindness to your poor
suffering father
The counts face grew dark with painful
thought as he ceased speaking, and his frame
| shuddered
TYou must not be moved so, family urged
| Irene
20, my child, you know not what it is that
moves me. Alas, alas, this may be the last Of
our meeting on earth. In one short week
there is to be fearful thinning Of the prison
ers here, and am to be among the number.
o, God have mercy Pray for me, my daugh-
ter The poor girl could hold back her tears
no longer. She wept long and bitterly She
tried to speak but before the words came to
her lips, the jailor came in and bade her
prepare to depart There was one more
embrace, one more kiss, short, fervent
prayer, and then the father and child separa
ted.
1t was nearly dusk, In small room in au
upper story of a house in one of the out-ofthe
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
il was The dark masses Of hair hung care
lessly down over his shoulders, and the large
black eyes were brilliant ever. All around
him were the implements Of the painter and
the walls were covered with anatomical sketch
es and drawings lie still hold the palette and
brushes in his hand, and before him stood q
large canvass, upon which he had been paint
ing. The canvass was very large, for its toT
reached nearly TO the ceiling, and near al
hand stood a step-ladder upon which the paint
er must have stood to command a sweep o
his work
Presently there came slight knocking a
the door, but the painter did not hear it The
knocking was louder, but still he moved not
In moment more the door was opened, ant
an old woman entered
"Now, good master Marino, have done will
thy moping here, and eat something BY ou
lady, thy face is grown as sharp as a vulture
beak
Luigi turned upon the woman, and fain
smile broke over his features.
at is finished, Maud, he said. "Aly worl
is done. ! will eat now to the hearts con
tent
AS he spoke, he moved to one side to ALLOW
the woman to come up. She advanced On,
( gazed npon the picture She stood for SOM
moments completely awe-struck
Poor man, she at length murmured, at III,
same time wiping her eyes, 70 what toriur,
what agony
"Then you think itirutbful, said Luigi no
little ilaItered by the emotions Of his kin,
1T is TOO truihIiL sud Maud lts terri
Bile should moi sleep il that was in m,
room
The young painter smiled again, aud theI
he laid away his palette and brushes III,