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

suit Of his loved art, and whose pictures
were noted for their strange fidelity and
wonderful trutlfulness to nature, was wait
cd upon in hS studio by an agent of the
pope, who ordered the artist tospaint, i'm
mediately, picture of the crucifxion. as
large as life, which was 10 be placed in the
cathedral. Feeling honored by tue CON-
mission, tho artist was less melted TO per-.
form The task that was offered as compen.
sation, than by the desire to improve SO
unusual an opportunity to render himself,
if successful, famous and honored.
After careful study Of the subject, the
drawings were made, the canvas slretohe ed
in Frame and other necessary preliminaries
attended to. Day after day he labored at
work with never ceasing assiduity; so in
tent indeed was he upon the subject that it
was the theme even Of his dreams, and he
returned at break Of day each morning to
his palette and brush, with fevered brow
and trembling hand. He scarcely partook
of food at all !; monomania seemed to
have seized upon him, and he could think
of nothing, SEQ nothing, but the work in
which bis whole soul was engaged.
One day. after" sitting long and silently,
regarding his unfinished work with an ex-
preston Of disappointment, and now, for
the first time, doubling his own ability AS
to being able to complete bi picture, either
SO as to satisfy himself or his noble patron,
he felt almost like giving upin Despair. 1t
was the expression Of the face that chiefly
! annoyed and puzzled him. He could
family conceive Of wha. VIVA wanting, but
with all his ingenuity he could not pr oducc
it-all bis efforts were futile; he was de-
jected, discouraged, miserable. While he
was thus occupied, striving to devise some
means whereby 10 gain fresh inspiration,
Isddsnly lie was aroused by knock al his
door, Which he opened, and discovered a
Strcel-beggar.
The artist started back with an unf. .igned
exclamation of surprise. He was confoun-
drd, for in the features of the mendicant he
bchcld the rc'y expression and face he
'e0nted. 1t seemed to him as though Prov
''ience had sent the beggar at that precise
moment 10 answer his want-to supply the
necessary inspiration that would enable
him to complete the work.
what wonld YOU with me T. asked the
painter regainins his breath.
Aims, master, almsA'.
You are really poor and needy 2 contiuu.
ed the artist.
Master, am starviug!'
4 will feed you; come in,' said the pain
ter kindly.
But my children7'
Shall be taken care of, too, if you serve
me as direct
4 will do anything
'fhen sit down, and will tell you what
shall require ofyou.' -
What, here4
Yes it is here that shall want you to
serve me- answered the artist.
But first give me food for my wife and
children, said the beggar.
True, that must be attended to. Here
is gold
Oh, master, it is TOO much. dare not
take so large sum !
Take it, and away. Meet me hese:at
daybreak TO morrow
4 will be hero at The hour replied the
mend'cant, burryingsaway.
A new life was infused intostbe breast of
the artist. He regarded bis picture with
renewed interest, and filed in some portions
Of detail with a dasbipg hand, bummihg
the whiles gay air, IS he alternately gave
a few touches, and then retreated from the
canvas regarding carefully the effec: pro-
duced. He retired to bis couch, and for the
first time since bis picture was commenced,
he slept soundIy and in peace.
With the morning light came the beg
gar once more, faithfaftchis Promise, and
refreshed By sleep and the joy Of having
fed his hungry ones at bomie. He was
welcomed with an easuestness thashe cdald
not account for in his humble powers Of
mind. His face was even more "a the
painter aesired it ahonld be, than it bad
Seemed Oh the previous dsy; it had just
that oalm, self-sacrifici9s and pescsfnl ex-
preston that the artist had 90 struggled to
produce on the canvss. Explaining to. The
MANN past bis purpose they ct about erec.
ting woedsa: crdss, ID sn appropriate
light, to vEioh, ben .. ..serptsiad. fbe
beggar was bound BY colas, Aepd and, foot,
after the precise manner that Ghsist.~as
piuioned on Calvary, :
The artisi ;mnafianffS, aa,.a5 III. A,,,.b, .