Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-05
O NUMBER 263.

~ had heard poor "Georges" story. I
was in no position TO help him, and the as
pect of his bronZed and weatherlbeateri
face, now rather excited my sympathy as n
man than raised my admiration as an artist.
1t is lucky, thougbtl, thatthe head OF Le-N
ontes Is nearly finished; this story would
have altered it's character considerably OH
my canvas. The man was fit for better
things than this-yet how could help him?
] was only just beginning to- support my
self--and moreover. if had had the meapsy
felt sure he would have accepted nothing
in the form of charity. Warmly express
ing my sympathy, and assuring him that
he had not misplaced his confidence, ex-
cused myself from further work that af-
ternoon, determining, in the mean time, to
reflect on the best means to adopt for his
assistance. He thanked me for what had
said, promised to return on the following
day, and went off to fulfill another engage
ment.
Itiwas only when he had gone that re-
membered many questions which l should
have liked TO ask him respecting the fate
of those whom he had so cruelty deserted.
And yet il they had been alive-if he had,
tried or wished to find them out again
would henot have told me? AT one mo-
ment felt ashamed for commiseratiDg
man who had thus selfshly abandoned those
who should have been dearest to him (even
under the circumstances which he had de-
tailed;) at another | realized the bitter tri-
ais he had ndergone-thought of the an
guish he musthaVe endured before he could
make up his mind to take that fatal step,
and felt how heavy had been his punish-
ment. uni .E a.'. "a. .r.ssf. .., .,i .-....,..
i determined to consult my good bene-
factress, Mrs. Wyllford, on the subject. She
nn,,n Inn inrr Vfl, 1nT,
daughter, to look at my picture. l confess
that the prospect of seeing Mary generally
put everything else out of my head; but on
this occasion / was not sorry, when the
time arrived, to find that her mother en-
tered my studio alone. The .little house,
keeper" as she, used playfully to call her
daughter, had been detained by some do
mestic matters, and would follow her pres
emily. -.4ri Ha falu.T srf ltlo
thought would first show Mrs. Wyll-
ford my picture, and then, while his por-
trait was before her, detail the outline of
poor Georges" story, and endeayor to en-
list her sympathies in his behalf. She sat
down before the easel, looking, as thought,
younger and prettier than she had ever
seemed before. The subject | had chosen
was familiar to her-indeed she had herself
suggested it. Camille was supposed to be
addressing Leontes in the lines
my lord, your sorrow was too sore laid on:
Which sixteen winters cannot blow away, .|
So many summers dry: scarce any JOY ...
Did ever so long live no sorrow
But killed itself much sooner" .1. I'D
She kindly praised the attitude of llermione,
the dresses and accessories of the picture,
which had studied with some care. At
last her eyes rested on the figure of Leontes.
She looked at it long and earnestly.
IL want you to be interested in that head"
/ said at length, in Joke. ... .-
"Why said she quickly, and growing,
as | thought, rather pale as she spoke.
"Was it studied from nature? l see you
have only just finished it; the-the paint is
hardly dry, and-would you mind opening
| the window ?-the smell OF the Oil is little
too strong for me-" ...- r"iIl,
My studio window was one of those old
| fashioned numbering contrivances which
| swing on pivot. went behind the chair
to comply with her request, and while en-
gagged in arranging prop to keep the SASH
frame in its place began to tell her briefly
the story of my models life. l was inter
rupted by loud cry of pain, and turned
round to find Mrs. Wyllford falling from
her chair. / rushed to her assistance, and
found that she had already tainted. There
was water in the adjoining room, and i
FASTENED to fetch it. As hurried back 1
was met by George, who had just come to
keep his appointment and to whom has
| tily explained what had happened. Between
us we lifted the poor lady up, and laid her
on the sofa. In doing this, her head haG
fallen on my arm, and it was not until L
raised it that we saw how deadly pale she
was. poured some water between her
lips, and begged George to get some doc
tors help without delay. But he stood like
one transfixed muttering incoherently. 70
"Eor goodness sake" | said, ''make haste
no time is to be lost. What is the NATTER"
81 think am going mad," said he, as he
fell upon his knees beside the couch. "Raise
her head little more-this way, boy, this
way,n he shrieked, in pitiable accents.
"Heavens! how like she -Mary-Mary.
0 God! it is my wife herself!" si"
1t was indeed the wife that he had left ten
years ago-whO had survived his cruel de-
sertion-struggled with poverty and many
trials-maintained herself heroically by her
own eXertions, and was now, thank God!
in position to save him from the misery
which his folly and selilshness had occa-
stoned. She had recognized his portrait
while was telling her George Wyllford's
story, little thinking how closely it was
interviewer with her own; and 1t was the
sudden shock which occasioned her swoop.
/ have little more to add in explanation.
Within twelve months from the date of this
event married Mary Wyllford. Her father
| is an altered man. His wife's fortune was
| an ample one, but he never spent a penny
| of it without her consent. My picture was
accepted at the Royal Academy exhibition,
and, wonderful to relate, was well hung.
| Since then i have painted from hundreds
| of men, women and children; but l can
safely say that never heard from anyof
my sitters narrative which has interested
me SO much as the Models Story. ,,,,