Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-08-26

MERITED TEsTIMoNIAI.-On Thursday even
ing of last week, our friend and neighbor Col.
Christian Nef, the genial and accommodating
proprietor of the Washington Hotel, was made
the recipient of finely executed portrait of him
self. The painting is finished from photograph
taken by NJ. Hcmperly, artist, of this place, and
required the use of twenty-nine inch lens.
Some of the friends of Mr.. Nef desiring to testify
in fitting way their respect and regard, de-
termncd to obtain his portrait and present it to
him, IL Il was possible to get the picture without
his knowledge. Mr.. IIemperlcy was consulted,
and plan devised by which Mr.. NoH was in
duced to sit for photograph for a friend. The
result is this fine portrait, transferred to canvas
and finished in superior style. The likeness and
expression are rs nearly perfect rs art can imi-
tate. The picture inside of the frame is thirty
inches by forty inches. The frame is massive,
seven inch gilt moulding, designed with judg-
ment and taste, and executed in exquisite and
elaborate style. At the bottom is appended
small gilt frames, one containing the Inscription
''To c. F. NefI, as a token of sincere regard !"
in the other is ''By p. s. Durrcll, p. NJ. Shindcl,
Gen. Jno. X. Clement, Nicholas Wenck, T. S.
Shannon, David Fry, b. +. Bright, Valentine
Feaglcy, f. G. Scott, II. j. Wa'tz, Jos. Bird,
JOS Nicely, l.. G. Stckcr Wm. G. Lawson, Geo.
Wagcnscllcr, J. X. Davis, Jr., l.. II. Kasc, |. T.
Clement, G. NJ. Rem, Augustus Wald, Emil
Wilvert, s. N. Gayman, VIM. lIimclwrlght, s. =.
Wolvcrton, Geo. Mcclure, Hon. Alex. Jordan,
C. J. Brunner, John Charles, John Porter, |. s.
Gosscr, VIM. X. Snydam, j. b. Masser, John
Youngman, VIM. Reese, N. s. Engc, Hon. VIM.
l.. Dcwart, Geo. Hill, Hon. j. b. Packer, John
Haas, s. j. Packer, j. +! Haas, jeremiah Snyder,
VIM. A. Sober, James Kline, G. l.. Simpson,
Peter Borrcl, Charles Fox, John Mcfarland,
DeGnbrillc, Valentine Dietz, John L. Rathbun,
s. Bittcnbcndcr."
The surprise to our friend Ncfr was complete,
and was managed in this wise: The Hon. Alex.
Jordan, Hon. j. Il. Packer, Z. G. Scott, S. L.
Wolvcrton, Col. Wagonsclcr, Wm Rockefeller,
and others of the donncrs, dropped into the hotel.
As the company grew larger, Mr.. Neitcxrrcsscd
wonder at the unusual gathering, when he was
told that there was to be picture presentation
at his house that evening, and asked for the use
of his parlor, the answer was affirmative, of
course whcrcupon committee delegated for
duty, caused the portrait to be conveyed to the
Ioum anu properly HUHS. iHc iilchuo boihS hoN
assembled, the committee waited upon Mr.. Ncif,
aud invited him to witness the presentation. Ills
expression Of astonishmcnt, on bcholding n likc-
ness of himself in his parlor, was most amusing,
but cannot be described. Gen. Clement, who
had been selected for that purpose, stepped for
ward and briefly spoke of the motives which had
moved the doEncrs TO make their gift. Col. Nclfs
reply showed how full his heart was, ''too full
for utterancc." lie cmphatically thanked his
friends, assured them oc his astonishmcnt, con-
fesscd that he was overwhelmed, and retired.
In short time, however, he returned, saying
that taken entirely by surprise, he could offer
his friends no fitting entertainment, but asked
them TO join him in n glass of champagne.
Wines and other choice liquors were introduced,
and a happy evening, and merry one too,
"within tho limits of becoming mirth,' was en-
joycd by all present.