The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-01-15
The Mnlioaire Artist. 7T7-E

A Paris paper has the following very
pretty story.
M. Robelt, an immensely wealthy and
highly accomplished gentleman, well
known not only for bis valuable collections
of paintings and medi@vial relics, but for
his rare skill as designer and painter,
hearing that one of his tenants, NJ
Villars, whom he had never seen, kept
one of the most extensive establishments
of fancy boxes and ornamental objects in
France, called on him with view to
make his acquaintance. I....
Entering the counting house, he found
a good. natured eccentric gentleman Of
middle age, who greeted him, and ex-
claimed -" suppose that you also have
seen my advertisement, and have come
to apply for that situation as designers !"
For joke, M. Robert replied he had,
M. Villars supplied him with paints and
brushes, and requested him to produce
casket. NJ. Robert soon found that what
M. Villars really wanted was an artist who
would strictly carry out his own ideas, and
that these were pure, and formed on an ex-
tensive knowledge of art. In short
time he produced sketch which suited
the employer to nicely. r.-..
M. Robert very gravely engaged him
self, exacted good wages, and insisted on
having several new articles of furniture
bought and placed in the room assigned
to him. But when he was introduced to
the work.rooms, and found $50 girls,
many of them young and beautiful, busily
employed, and was informed that he
would be required to furnish them with
designs, and show the young women
how they were to be carried out, the
young artist began to feel as if he should
have to be carried out himself-being
very susceptible. .-.-
Working for a living" said he to
himself, lis not entirely devoid of attrac-
tions. Let us work"
M. Robert being an accomplished ar
tist, delighted his employer, and he soon
found a remarkable tacination in seeing
his designs realized in steel, silver, enamel
or wood. He took pleasure, hitherto
unknown, in seeing his works in shop
windows, and finding them in the abodes
of his friends. The workshop life was.
of course, kept carefully concealed from
society,"" nor did his employer suspect
that his artist was his landlord. But M
Robert soon found more intense object
of facination in the daughter of M
Villars, young lady who also took part
in the duties of the factory. The damse
ments as for her extraordinary beauty
and M. Robert soon found that as regard
ed taste and culture in all matters which
specially interested him, he had never
met any one like her. Step by step, thu
pair fell in love; and little by little the
artist SO ingratiated himself with the
father, that the latter, after due delibera
ton, consented to their union.
Previous to the marriage the old gen
tleman one day spoke of a dowry.
4 And 81 suppose" added M. Robert
gravely {" that I, too, must settle some
thing on my wife. Well, I will" .n
This caused peal of laughter, whicl
redoubled when the artist added, " AnC
l will settle this piece of property, hous
and all, with the buildings adjoining, Oh
her." .. "
But what was their amazement, when
M Robert drew forth the title deeds, ant
said: "You seem to forget that | an
your landlord? ? Isn't my name Robert 4?
The young lady did not faint, but pap
nearly died of astonishment and joy
This was a magnificent wedding, but tn
bridegroom has not given up business. =
He declares that there is as much amuse
ment in being useful as in amusing one
self.