Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-11-05
Sliding Scale Of ,he IneOn.oIable..
FROM TIE TRENCH

ttTl=LftllIh Nl MNaAtAs am NAlANNN IA A
,tbe heir Of title illustrious in the mill.
tarv annals Of the Empire.
The union. formed under the happiesi
saspices. had been, alas Of short duration.
Death. Implying death, had rupturod II, by
rrematurcIy carrying OF the young husband
The sculptor was summoned by the widow.
he traversed apartments silent and de-
serted. until be was introduced into bed
room. and found himsell in presence Of a
ladv. Young and beautiful, bat hahited in
the deepest mourning, and with a face fur
rowed by tears.
=. You are aware" said she, with pain-
fol effort and d voice half choked by sobs,
o. You are aware Of the blow which | have
recciye12
The arts. bowed, with an air Of respect
ful coincidence.
90 Sir" continued the widow, d" am aux-
ious 10 have a funeral monument erected, in
honor of TIE husband whom | have lost. -
The artist bowed again.
D." wish tha; the monument should be su-
rerh. worthy Of the man whose io-s | weep,
urorortioncd to the unending grie, into
which his l0-s has plunged me care not
what It costs. am rich, aud | viii willing
ly sacrifice all my fortune to do honor to the
memory Of an adoTed husband. must have
a tcmuIe-wi-h c3lumns-in marble-and
in the miGdle-on a pedestal-his statue
Cd. J will do my best to fulfil your wishes,
Madam" replied the artist: ' but | had
not the honor OF acquaintance with the de-
ceased. and q likeness Of him Is indispensable
for the due execution Of my work With
ont doubt. 7ou have his portrait?'
The widow raised her arm, and pointed
de.pairingly to "a splendid Likeness by
Amaury Dcyal.
.. A most admirable picture observed
the artist: and the painters name is suitei-
ert guarantee for IFS striking resemblance tC
the original
. Those are his very features, SIR
IL is himself Ii wants but life. Al
,vsrl that could restore D. TO him a. ti'
e1-t orau mv blood ,'
81 viii have this portrait carried TO NJ
st.Ho. Madam. AID / promise You that ihi
marble shall Reproduce tezacdy.'
Ite widow. lt these words, sprung up
and at a single bound throwing herself TO
war! The picture with arms stretched Oh
es though to defend it. exclaimed
.. Take away tins portrait carry OF my
only consolation my sole remaining com
fort never never
But Madame, YOU viii only be depriye'
ot il for q short time, and
q. Not an hour not q minute could
exist without his beloved image Look you
>ir.I have had it placed here, IN my owl
room. that nv ewes might be fastened up
on II. without c6asing. through my tears
Ills portrait shall never leave this spot on
single instant. and in contemplating tina
will pass the remainder Of my miseE
aide and sowerlal existence.
..i in thar case. Madam. YOU Will be com
relied 70 permit me TO take copy OF It
R1r % NOT be uneasv.-I shall not hav
sa.lsi,n % trouble your solitude for an
length of time one sketch,-on sittln.
win suffice.
The widow agreed to tn arrangement
isoeiy insisted that the artist should com
back tie fJllowing iaY She wanted him q
set to work on the instant, SO great vas ho
I1n5in- ID see the maus1leum erected. Ih'
sculutl-, however remarked that be haO
another work TO finish first. This difficult,
she sought o. overcome by means Of money
B.. Impossible" replied the artist.
have r,ven nv word but do not distres
yaurself: | viii apply 70 it 50 diligently
.ha- the monument shall be finished IN o.
short t.m- as any sculptor would REQUIRE
whl c,uld apply himself to It forthwith. ~
.. You see my distress, said the widow
Won can make allowance for my imratencc
Be- speedy. then. and above all, be iaylsh %
malaiiee1cc. Spare no expense only lc
me- have . masterpiece.
Several letters echoed these inJunctiJns
during the few days Immediately following
the interview.
At the expiration Of three months th
artist called again. lie found the widow
still IN weeds. but a little less pallid, and
l;.tle more coquettishly dressed IN he
mourning garb.
&" Madame" said he, 81 am entirely a
your service.
..Ah! at last. THIS Is fcrtunate,' re
piled the widow, with a gracious smile
Il have made my design, but l stl
want one sitting. for the likeness. WI
vou permit me te 20 into your bedroom? ?
Into my bedroom? For what2'
"To l5ok at the portrait again
"Ohi YES, have the goodness to walk mt
the drawing-room; you viii End i theI
now.
Aht"
3. Yes: it hangs there it is better lighte
IN the drawing-room, than In my o~
room.
E. Would you like Madam, to look at tt
desion for the monument
with pleasure. Oh what a size
What prolusion Of decorations! Why,
Is aalace, Sir, this tomb -
J. yid voa act tell me, Madam, that notl
in, could be TOO magnificent? | have n
considered the expense; and By tAe wa.
bers ia l. memorandum Of what the NOM
ment viii cot you
=. Oh. heavens 3" EXCLAIMED the widow
after having cast an eye oTsr the total ad
rgur. .sWby. this j. enormous "
:. You begged ne 20 spear no expense.
yes no doubt. desire to do things pr
re-iv. hut not exactly to make fool OF m
self"
=. This. at present, you see, Is only d
sion and there Is time yet to cut 1t down
3. Well. then, suppose we were 70 lea
our the temple and the columns, and all Il
sroh;tsctural part, and content ourselv
with the statue? 1t seems TO me that won
be very appropr!Gte.' .
.. Certainly it you'd"
So let it be, then, ,-just ihe etati
alone"
Shortly after this second visit, q
.culntor fell desperately i'll. lie "
compe,led to give up work, hut on 7
turning from a tour in Italy prescribed
his physician, he presented himself on
more before ths Eidow who, WAS then IN {
tenth month of her mourning. lie luuH
,h;s time a few roses among the cypre'
and some smiling colors playing over ma
shaded grounds.
The artist brought with him little mod
If his statue. done in plaster, and ouerl
in miniature what his work was 70 be.
- What do you think of the likeness
he inquired of the widow.
al seems TO me a little fattered my hr
band was all very well, no doubt; but y
a:e making him en- Apollo -
=. Really? well, then | can correct
work by the portrait -
Don't take the troubie,--a iIttie more
less like, what does it matteri"
Excuse me, but | am Particular abo
likenesses."
If YOU absolutely must"
III il in the drawing room yonder, is
not? III go in there.
- 1t is not there any longer, replied {
widow. ringing the bell.
:. Babtiste, said she to the servant "
came in, " bring down the portrait OF 20
master.
=. The portrait that you sent up GO The q
ret, last week, Madam.
sYes.'
Al this moment the door opened, and
voaug man of distingued air entered;
manners were easy and familiar. he kiss
; 1he fair widows hand, and tenderly inqun
after her health.
:. Who in Ihe world i this good man
. nlastsr ~ asked he, pointing wjtf hts nni
70 the statute, which tins artist hed pis'
/, upon the msnfls-piscs.