The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-05-10
9ph grintina
From the Argosy)
The Story Of Ernst Christian SchOeffer.


the extent of one hundred and sixty-f five
FORMS he said, in troubled voice.
Just 3d. fta
4 pledge myself to repay them. will
work day and night to do this
The Jew nodded pleasantly.
we expected no less from you, Herr
Schoeffer, he said.
And may take these accounts to look
through at He was going to say at
home but remembering that he had now
no home, checked himself, and substituted
at my leisure.
by all means #.-.r-
He rose-he hesitated-he had evidently
something more to say.
There is one very precious and sacred
relic,' he faItered, which would give much
to possess
If it be anything which can assist you
to recover, shall be happy to do So re-
piled the banker, politely 4-..L IA.
1T is my mothers portrait ~ LstJ
will yoa have the goodness to describe
The painter with visible emotion, de-
Bcribed the picture infinitely. The banker
looked down, coughed obviously, and rubbed
his little fat hands over and over. fri
Dear me- he said, is that portrait
of your mother How handsome she must
have BEEN
Then you recognize it P
Perfectly
And can you tell me what has become of
IL? .a
The young mans question came with hot
eagerness the Jews reply with cool COM
posture.
why, yes-no one better. The picture
is in my own possession.
'ln yours!
The tone, the look of entreaty, were alike
unmistakable; but Herr Schliermacher met
both with the civillest imperturbability i'm
aginable. l,l
Exactly 80, he replied. 1t is charming
little thing, and | really value it
But Herr SchliermeCher-my good Herr
Schliermacher, you do not value it as do =
value it too well to part from it, said
the banker.
Herr SchIiermacher, would serve you
for seven years to earn my mothers por-
trait
Herr Schlermacher shook his shiny head.
4 regret to refuse you,' he said; but it is
quite out of my power to grant your re-
quest. Hike the picture-my daughter has
takan quite fancy to it-and | have been
to heavy loser in this matter already
1t is worth more than the whole of my
fathers debt put together J! cried the young
man impetuously.
Not as a work Of art. If it were, | should
not feel justified in keeping it."
what would you do with it p i
Sell it of course my good sir; and when
| had repaid myself from the proceeds, re-
fund the surplus to YOURSELF
The painter turned pale.
For God's,sake don't do that = he said
quickly.
4 do not mean to do it. | mean to keep it.
The Heir Schliermacher uttered these
last words in tone that rendered further
discussion impossible, and the young man
took hw departure.
He came back, however, the next day at
the same hour.
Herr Schliemaker, he said, 4 have come
to ask what price you set on my mothers
portrait p II
4 set no price upon it Herr Schoeffer Il
do not mean to sell it
But you would not-you could not-re
fuse to sell it, if could afford to pay fer it
If understand you rightly when you
did me the favor to call upon me yesterday,
said the banker stiffiy, you are not even in
q position to pay off the residue of your
fathers liabilities
That it is true; but
Excuse me Herr Schefer. 1t will be
time enough to enter upon this topic when
you come to me with your one hundred and
fifty-t forms in your hand, wish you
good morning.
Again the painter turned away disheart-
ened, but again the next day, at the same
hour, he returned to the charge.
Herr Schliermacher, he began, will you
let me earn that portrait? Will you take
me into your Office Will you receive me
as one of your clerks write good fair
hand, and am toIerable accountant. If
yon will agree to this will work for you
without salary till | have earned the picture
back at whatever price you choose to set
upon it.
The banker laughed outright
My dear Herr Schoefer,' he said, gen.
tlemen in your profession are the very worst
stuff in the world to cut bankers clerks
from No, thank you. No aesthetic account
ants for me- Besides if you worked with
out pay, how would you liver?
i will rise at dawn in summer and work
by night in winter, aud SO earn few flor
ms week. | can live on dry bread; |
have done so before now.
You are most energetic young man.
said Herr Schliermacher; and you deserve
to succeed in life. What pity you were
rot brought up to better business lyon
rgnuId ho va uooda fortuna
Il do not want fortune. | only want
my mothers portrait F..
The Jew shrugged his shoulders
will you try me for week, Herr Schiller
macher ?
Not for day Your proposal, Herr
Schmffer, is wholly unpracticable.'
For the third time the poor painter went
his way sorrowing. He desired the picture
passionately, and each fresh rebuff only
quickened his intense longing forit. He re-
membered how his father had treasured it,
and he also remembered how it was the on
ly earthly record of a mother whom he had
never been SO blest as to know.
The next day he was back again at the
money lenders Office with fresh scheme.
For the fourth time he said come to
appeal to you. If you have the heart of a
mar. you Will not refuse what L. am now
sbout to ask from you
The banker tapped impatiently upon his
desk.
BE brief if you please Herr Schefer,' be
replied. My time is valuable, and | warn
you that this is the last occasion on which
can listen to YOU
This then is what have to propose. :
Give me three years in which to earn The
one hundred and fifty five forms, and prom
Use me that you will neither sell the por
trait nor give it away during that time!
The banker leaned back in his chair ant
seemed as if be were taking this request in
to consideration. III
Good heavens = exclaimed Ernst, impa
tsntly, is it possible that you hesitate
Do ask sir-think if it were your owl
mothers portrait-a mother who had give
her own life for yours-'