Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-07-05

work was nearly complications expression
upon the face alone was wanting. It was
the agony experienced by the Savior when
the spear was thrust into his side, and the
pals pierced bis hands!upon tho cross.
The painctr sat with the beggar bound
before him. 1t was the last touch of his
brush he gazed upon the uneasy body o
the mendicant, on whom he had drawn the
cords tighter than usual. The expression
IN the countenance Of the artist was one o.
strange and struggling passion some dark
resolve was passing through his brain
! Suddenly he drew his dagger, and pinned
the beggar to the cross! The agony o.
death was on him, and he writhed beneath
the pain of that fatal blow his face as
sumed the very expression that the painter
wanted. It was the dying look-half-rc-
proachfa, half forgiving, yet wrought with
an agony OF pain.
With an effort at calmness, he seized
his brush, and catching that expression
placed it upon the picture with faul,less &C.
curacy. 1t was perfect. The painte,
trembled violently with the fearful excite
ment OF the moment. Twas done. The
peoples order was ful6lled-the mendicant
was corpse
On the subsequent day came the all.pow,
erful head Of the church to see how bis
4 order had been executed. A dim but fault
less light has been arranged SO as to fall
upon the painting. and as the curtain was
withdrawn, and his holiness beheld the per-
feet picture. saw the wonderful accuracy of
detail, the marked excellence of even the
most trifling part Of tho painting. and
finally the almost miraculous expression OF
the death-agony in his face, he exclaimed
with amazement, Hath Heaven in spircd
this man 2
And he fingered long and even anxiously
BY the wonderful picture, until at last, or
dering its removal on the subsequent day,
he returned to his place delighted at the
successful result Of his order to the artist.
Noso had the pope returned to his
treasury than he ordered ten thousand
piasters to be sent to the painter. The
money was received, and the young painter
hurried forth with the two bags that held
the snm, and sought, in retired part of the
city, the residence of the beggar's family.
lie found the sorrowing wife and weeping
children, deposited the ten thousand piasters
in her hands, saying that it was sent to her
BY the pope, and then returned to his stu
dio.
On the following morning a file of the
papal guard was heard approaching the
door, and the artist knew that his crime was
discovered, aad that these soldiers had come
to arrest him. a moment only he hesita-
ted then, seizing brush, with one din
into a pot, and dash upon that almost liv
ng picture, lie obliterated every link Of
beauty, and left it a mere daubl The SOL
diers cam be was arrested and thrown
into prison. With that abruptness charac
teristic of the government and the times, he
wasexamined by an officer, and condemned
at,once to die.
But theTe came a message from the pope
to his dungeon, when it was fonnd that this
wonderful picture was ruined, saying. if be
would restore the painting to its original
perfection he should be pardon.d. Assent
ing to this, the artist demanded TO be let
back to his study, where guard was placed
at his door. Being once again alone, he
dipped piece Of convass in preparation
known to himself. and in one moment OBJ
liberated every sign of Disagreement he
bad made upon the painting; and, calling
for the officer entrusted with the execution
of The business, exhibited, almost instantly,
the restored picture
This il mirace!' exclaimed the officer
in utter amazement.
Are yon satisfied =
4 am but how baveyou performed such
q strange piece o. -"
Ut matters not. l have done AS you re-
i quired Of meF :"
You have
Then you release mer
KY orders are 10 do co. replied the Off
rer rsgsfding the artist with silent amaze
tnsnt, as he banded him the pardon, already
4 signed by the pope.
Taking possession of the painting. the
officer. supsriuteuded its. removaFat oBeeto
the. cathedral, when it was placed i'm the
spot i. was destined to Eli. The assist.tol-
lowed, saw his work placed In n,tbe niche
prepared for it, beheld its enhanced effect
tin it, hew and, sscssd. positien, then knelt
before the altar IL p.aJer, em ,