Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-09-10

good and Kind, had something cold and sa-
tirical in his manner. ale will never be-
lieve in me-" said Maria, "until he sees
that can do something. He is not man
of faith. Besides, who will admit genius in
the person that cooks ones dinncrl These
hands that have made so many mcsses can
do nothing but spoil marble, he will
think"
"Shc must take care" thought Corona
not to deceive herself as TO the motive that
makes her unwilling 20 communicate her
ambition to her master. If I mistake not,
she hopes to dazzle him"
But the Doctor was mistaken. Maria's
whole being was, from that time forward,
devoted to art and art alone. 1t is true that
she did not fail TO perform her household
duties but she did SO mechanically, and,
if Master Pulci had been anything Of
gourmand or fidget, he would have found
daily grounds of complaint However,
matters went on very well; and neither he
nor any one else over suspected that the
girl had turned her bedroom into q studio
and mat she was robbing herself OF sleep
in order TO make up for the hours neccs-
sarily lost i'm the daytime. Savorini alone
noticed that her checks grew pale, and that
her eyes CLEANED with unnatural brilian-
cy. "1Icr soul is wearing out her body,
DOCTOR said he to Corona. The doctor as
Sentcd sorrowfully, without daring to be-
tray the secret
Maria aftcrward said that her life seemed
to have begun only from the time when
she perceived the presence Of the "diviue
spark" in her. All the former years faded
from her remembrance. Her Imagination
became filled with beautiful forms. Her
cars were ever open TO catch words of in
structon from her master or his visitors.
Her eyes greedily devoured the models
that surrounded her She took Pulci's
books one by one, TO horroom, and learned
all that they could teach her. Whenever
she went forth, ii was 10 some church. or TO
the Vatican to admire the achievements of
the schools.
AT length she felt herself sufficiently
prepared TO attempt original productions,
and she began TO model a statue of Miner
va. y practised hand would probably have
produced a result as good as hers in amuch
shorter time hut she was ignorant Of rou-
tine, and many accidents retarded her
work. However, as time proceeded, the
figure grew under her hands, and day by
day, the consciousness of her own genius
increased within her. Her determination
was to send the figure to the annual COM
petition for tho prize,-secrctly,--i order
that she might hear the impartial opinion
of the judges. The difficulties in her way
were immense. But she overcame them
all and when one day Master Pulci was
absent, some porters, sent by DR.. Corona,
came and took away her model. Thus it
was removed TO the exhibition hall with
out accident.
Maria cnteped with the crowd on the ap-
pointed day, and contrivcd to place herself
near TO her statue. Her ambition did not
extend to winning the prize. All she dar-
cd to hope was to escape ridicule. But her
lstonishment was indescrilablc on per-
ociving by degrees all the connoisseurs col
lect round hor Minerva, and begin to speak
enthusiastically in its praise. The judges
strod before it in their turn. There was an
unanimous cry Of admiration. Her heart
swelled nightly within her, and it was with
difficulty she could reprcss her pride and
cxutaton. These came to their height
when the prize was unanimously given to
her statue; and crier began to exclaim,
let the sculptor of the Minerva declare
himself!' 1t then struck her,-in her con-
fusion-that woman had no right to COM
pete, and she hastencd away unperceived.
Her object, however, was gained. She
was now ssrc that she had not deceived
herself by a false idea of her own merit;
and she saw in the future a long series of
triumphs. Doctor Corona, who had watch
ed her, followed and complmonted ber.
Even he had not dared to admire her work
until public opinion had crowned it. lie
went with her to the studio of Pulci and
there she threw herself on her knees before
her master, and confessed the truth. He
at first thought she was mad and it was
not until DIR. COroni confirmed her state
ment, that he could believe that his servant
girl Maria had won the first prize of sculp-
ture by the unanimous vote of the first
artists Of Rome!
Tho news soon spread through the city;
and Savorini came hastily to compliment
the young artist. She allowed him to en-
brace her, and listened gratefully when he
said, "She must be at once raised from her
menial capacity. 1t is impossible to de-
prive the arts of this wonder" He did not
now repeat his declaration of affection but
he seemed to claim right to watch over
her future fortunes. Pulci at once agreed
to look out for another servant; but Maria
refused to quit his house. "I will superin-
tend everything STILL" she said.
The threo suppod together pleasantly
that evening; and Savorina began the we'll
known etching which represents Maria sit
ting at the feet of her Minerva, pausing ia
her work 10 admire it. Next day, all the
elite of Roman arr came hocking to nail
their now comradc. For some months, in
deed, the fashionable society OF the city
talked Of nothing else but this pleasant
story; and IL became a popular opinion
that Maria would equal or surpass the
greatest masters. There was some exag-
geration in this. The causes which would
have made them refuse 10 acknowledge
her talent, before her public triumph, IN
duced them to magnify ii now. /. seemed
so extraordinary that servant-gn from
The Campagni di Roma could do anything,
that people began 10 suppose nothing was
too great for her 100 perform. Even old
Nosotti, Maria's ather, undertook ioul-
ney to Rome for the purpose Of seeing his
daughter, and looked IN 1T St. Peters by The
way. She received him with delight; but
shook her head when he suggested that she
night now marry farmer Raimondo. Sa-
vorina, who, was by, veuured hope on
his own account, and Inc whispered some
thing in her ear. She smiled family, and
giving him her hand, said; "If you ask
me again in six months will say yes ~
He did not understand.
Tho truth was the divine spark was
burning too iercoly within. In vain Dr.
Corona oxerted MS art and ondeavored,
moreover TO wean Maria for whilo from
tho studio. Tho hectic ilush and tho bril-
liant eyes proved true prophets.
Ihe Minerva was the only work Of the
servant Maria, who dicd on he twelfth of