The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-05-27
The Unknown Painter.

Murillo, the celebrated artist of Seville.
often found upon the canvas of some one
of his pupils, sketches or specimens of
drawing, imperfect and unfinished, hut
bearing the rich impress of genius. They
were executed during the night. and he
was utterly unable TO conjecture the author.
One morning the pupils had arrived at the
studio before him, and were grouped be-
fore an easel, uttering eXcamations of great
surprise, when Murillo entered. His aston
ishmcnt was equal to their own ON finding
an unfinished head of the Virgin, of exquis-
itc outline, with many touches OF surpass-
ing beatty, He appealed first to one and
then another OF the young gentlemen to
see if they could lay claim to the choice
but mysterious production, but they re-
turned sorrowful negative. "lIe who
has left this tracery will one day be mas
ter of us all. Sebastian" said he-a youth
rl slave stood trembling before him-"who
occupies this studio at night ?"
mo one but myself, senor.'
well, take your station here tonight,
and if You do not inform me Of the myster-
ious visitant to this room, thirty ashes
shall be your reward on the morrow"
He bowed in quiet submission and re-
tired. That night he threw his mattress
before the easel and slept soundly until the
clock struck three. He then sprang from
his couch and exclaimed. three hours are
my own, the rest are my master's!" He
then seized a palette, and took his seat at
the frame. to erase the work of the preced-
ing night. With brush in hand, to make
the oblivious stroke, he paused. "Oh, those
eyes, said he, they pierce me through;
that blood will run from those purple veins;
| can not, Oh, | can not erase it rather let
me finish it"'
lie went to work, and soon the slave, tho
darkened brow, tho child of toll and suffer-
ing, are merged in u youthful spirit, rising
from the impetus of his own deathlcss cn-
crgics into sphere of liberty and bright
beauty.
"A little coloring here, u touch there,
sof: shade here" and thus three hours
roll mheeded by. "Oh, those beaming eyes
those lips they will speak and bless me my
beautiful Oh, my beautiful" slight
noise caused him to look up. Murillo with
his pupils stood around the sunshine was
peerng brightly through the easement,
while yet the noXtinguished taper burned.
Again he was slave, and the spirits folded
wing scarce seemed to flutter. His eyes
fell beneath their eager gaze.
"Who is your master, Sebastian 2
" l on, senior.
Your drawng-mastcr mean p
"GOu, senOr.'
81 have never given you lessons"
"No; but you gave them to these young
gentlemen, and heard them"
"Nes, you have done better--you have
protited by thom, Does this boy deserve
punishment or reward, my dear pupils ~
Reward, senior, was the quick response.
what shall it be ?"
One suggested suit of clothes, another
Il sum of money but no chord was touched
in the captive's bosom. Another said, "the
master feels kindly to-day; ask your free
dom, Sebastian
He sank OH his knees, and groan of
anguish burst from him I; he lifted his burn
ing eyes to his masters face: "The free
dom of my father"
The death-chll passed from his heart,
and he breathed. Murillo folded him to
his bosom. "Your pencil shows that you
have talent, your request that you have
heart you are no longer my slave, but my
SON." Happy Murillo have not only
painted, but made a painter.
There are still to be seen in classic Italy
many beautiful specimens from the pencils
of Murillo and Sebastian.