The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-06-21
THE NINE PORTRAITS.
BY NELLIE EETTLE.

Oeu the morning sunDeams I6ll upon MS
gray hair, making IL look like threads oi
purest silver; calm peaceful expression
spread over bis couhtensnce, showing that
he was ready 10 go hence with Azresl, TO
wander in The beauifdl land "beyond the
blue The old man was an artist, and now
hung rp in his room, where his eyes could
gaze upon them,- ,-were nine portraits, heads
of females and, strange 10 say, they were
the most hdsous. looking portraits that
could be painted. II seemed indeed as If
The old man had tried to make each one
more hideous than the other; but, having
made the first so perfectly internal looking,
The others could not be worse, so all were
! horrible
! The old man had sent for his two young
esi sons, and they we're now approaching
the room where their father lay anxiously
awaiting them. AS they entered and stood
by the bedside, The old mans lips moved
in prayer; taen raising his hands, he laid
them ir blessings upon their heads
':My son Henrick, and you, Franz, have
sent to tell you my last wishes. know
your brolhers and listers are well provided
for now there is not enough here for two,
but abunJanJy enough for one. Cast your
eyes opposite, and you behold nine por-
traits; now, whichever will marry person
resembling those picldres shall have what
is left; the other must work for himself
The marriage must take place before
twelve month and if, at The end OF that
time, you are both unmarried, The property
goes to the hospital Society butif either
Of you marry before that time, with one
who does no: resemble those portraits, then
rhe property goes to the unmarried one.
have done.'
The young men sazed with horror upon
he pictures before them, and thought the
hospital Society would claim The estate;
for, to pn; all that hideousuess together, and
form whole, and marry the person resem-
bling il, was not 10 be thought of; for GER
tainly no suc1 person conId be found.
Six months after The singular scene we
have mentioned above iranspired, the two
brothers were sitting in the same room-:he
'What horrd locking gorgons, Henrick
See what monsters. No one appears Nth
eyes set in her forehead instead OF under it,,
eyes, Franz; but what beautiful eyes they
are, though, said he, TO himself
"AuG look at No. two her forehead is
Longer than The rest Of her whole face
Bah, Henrick, you may keep The estate
] shall marry Trnchden next Sunday. Ii lis
all settled berween ps. Her father will give
US enough to live upon even elegantly so
my dear brother, you have the estate. and
can marry your FranIa the nex Sunday, if
you choose."
eyes" said Henrick, tfor there was moth
ing said about the remaining unmarried one
marrying or not marrying,j ESQ, God bless
you, my dear brother, and may your mar
riage be happy one, for you deserve ii,
dear Franz"
Franz went out, and Henrick began 10
examine the nine portraits more carefully
than before.
AT The time appointed Franz was married,
and he and his bride went on bridal tour,
and he was hapPr. Meanwhile Henrick
had studied the pictures.
al lhink,p soliIoquizod he, Chat ] have
found my fathers secret let me see. No.
1, Beautiful blue eyes large and laslrous.
No ?, Fair, high open forehead. No. 3,
Beautifully arched eyebrows, and long eye
Iashes Nod, Grscian nose, thin pink nos
lriIs. No. 5, Splsndid mouth. No. 6, Teeth
small and even, and like pearl. No. 7,
Round, small dimpled chin. No. 8, Round
face, beautiful complexion. No 9, Long,
golden curls, splendid head.n
$50 each portrait contains one beautiful
feature, but 50 placed among The deform-
ties as 10 be almost lost | will paint pic
ture from them and see how ii will look"
he Sc; himself 10 work, and, 10 when
the picture was finished, whom did it re-
semble Why, Truchdep; the bride of
Franz yes there was the same blue eyes,
the beautiful brow, everything that belong
ed 10 her. -
'Ah, Franz, my brother, you have won
tbs estate, and must henceforlh give up
aItthoughis Of my dear Franla and become
a wanGerer."
Sc Henrick shut up the house and went
away When Franz returned he was sur
prised 10 learn his brother had gone he
searched be enquired he advertised for him
bu, ali TO no purpose.
"Ah," said he 10 bis wife, chose horrid |
pictures must have been the cause; | will
have them removed this days You have
never seen them; come with me and will |
show you what beautiful bride we were
to choose"
They went ID the house. and to the room
where the portraits were hung with their