The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-03-10
Select Gtoll).
From the London Journal.
THE STORY OF A pICTURE


Samuel Dahobcrt was one of the great
German painters, Albert Durer's pupils,
admitted into his studio out Of pity, and
in spite of his age and poverty ; for Sam
uel was almost forty, and bad no other
means of earning livelihood than that
of painting signs and house decorations
IL kind of ornamentatlon then common
in Germany. Understood, hunchbacked
and extremely ugly, and, moreover, slut
tcrlng SO badly as not to be able to pro-
nounce two sylables consecut!vely, il may
easily be supposed that he was the butt
of his fellow pupils, and that Whenever
any practical joke was to be played off
in the studio, it was always leveled at
Samuel. Jecred at by his comrades,
tormcnted by hi4master' wife, who could
not forgive his being admitted in the
studio gratis, and having nothing for his
meals but black bread, land sometimes
not even that the poor fellow had no rest
or comfort but on the days when he could
escape into the country to paint some of
the numerous and beautiful views in the
neighborhood of Nuremburg. Then be
was not like the same man. His down.
cast melancholy look passed entirely away
as he sat on the grass, his portfolio upon
his knees, trying to catch some of those
admirable effects of light he excelled
in reproducing. After spending the day
in this manner he returned to Nuren-
burg but he did not mention in his stu
dio his excursion of the day before still
less did he show the sketches he had
made.
Except on the rare occasions of his
visits to the country, Samuel arrived at
the studio every day at dawn, and re-
manned there until nightfall. He then
returned to the garnet, and reproduced
on canvass the views which he sketched
in the country. 10 procure himself
brushes and colors he imposed upon HIM
self the hardest privations.
Three years went on this way without
Samuel having bettered his position in
the smallest degree, or either his master
or his fellow pupils being aware of the
night labors which he had been pursuing.
How he succeeded in preserving himself
from death, considering the great priva-
tions he had to endure, is a mystery.
One day, however, be fell i'll; violent
fever seized his withered frame, and for
nearly week be remained lying upon
his pallet without any one coming to take
compassion on his suffering. With burn
ing brain, and feeling that lie was dying,
abandoned by all, he took desperate
resolution he rose, took under his arm
the latest picture he had painted, and
staggered with it towards the shop of a
broker, in the hope of selling it at any
price. 1t so happened that he had TO
pass in front of a house where great
number Of persons were assembled. He
found that sale by auction was proceed
ing, the property consisting of works of
art, collected by a connoiseur with end
less trouble during thirty years, and, as
usually happens, sold and disposed of,
without remorsc, by the inheritors of his
wealth after his death.
Samuel went up to one of the auction
eer's mer, and, after great entrcaty, sue
cceded in persuading him to allow the
picture, which he carried under his arm,
to be put up for sale with other works Of
art. The auctioneer estimated its value
at three thalers.
Good !" said Samuel. to himself:
I" that will buy me food enough for at
least week, if l am fortunate enough to
find buyer"