Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-05-24

riYtuosf gathered into the silversmith's s
shop. The golden and silver plates,
+ dishes, ewers and pitchers were first
displayed and disposed Of; aud~sO long
as the auctioneer vas selling such or
ldinary articles Of his trade, the poor sill
vcrsmith kept in the background and
bore his trial quietly. But presently
they began to put up the choicest treas
! urers Of his art.
a golden casket" cried the auction
teer,'a marvel Of beautyI ExquisiteIy
4 decorated with scenes from the Had,
How much for this golden casket?'
The bidding went on. \ stranger
bought it. ----.-.-- r..,-
Six small silver statues from The An
tiquc,' cried the auctioneer - NJ
4 a thousand ducats, said rich bur-
gher.
"A thousand and fifty" cried the bur
gomasteE ss
tOne thousand one hundred, said tBe
stranger.
y 10 one made a higher bid, aud the
statues were declared his Again and
again the choice masterpieces were put
up, and again and again the stranger
Out-Uid the richest man in the crowd.
At length all were sold, and the moment
was approaching when the works over
which the old man had toiled for many
a long year were TO he carried away by
the highest bidder. -
Unable any longer TO conceal his
grief, Joseph Durer advanced and bent
over his vanishing treasures, with, the
sorrow of a mother parting from her
children. They were his children, the
creations of bis fertile brain; and they
were 10 be carried out of his sight.
-'Betthe highest bidder come forward,'
called the REGISTRAR The stranger adj
vanced. He was gOrgeOusly dressed in
tile French style, tight fitting tunic of
cIaInoisy satin, stitched with silver;
trunk hose ofwhite satin, and his tall,
gUaceful figure was draped in a rich
Spanish cloak of black velvet, orna-
mented with embroidery Of gold thread
and silk. Around bis neck he wore a
magnificent chain Of gold, to which
was attached a golden medal bearing
the efligy Of the Emperor .NFaximilian.
His broad hat Of violet velvet. with a
long white plume, was sIouched over
his face, hidingR pair of dark, bright
eyes, and his fair hair fell in rich curls
on his shoulders.
This is the whole amount which
have purchased, said he to the regis
.traF, compare the account with yeurs.'
& Fhe officer compared, and finding it
correct, said: Your name, good sir.
must record it on the register
The old silversmith looked up, half
indifferentry half eagerly.
Write, said the stranger hesitating,
'r4f1Jrecht Dwcr."
At these words the silversmith started
torward, and fell weeping upon his sons
shoulder.
'Albreehtn lie cried, my son, Al
brecht! is it indeed thyself? Do my
old eyes deceive me? You have not
forgotten your old father. Have you
forgiven me for my harsh treatment?'
Forgiven you, my father? ay! long
ago. said AlbreUht. 1t is I who should
ask pardon Of you. But ais well that
ends well; is it not SO? 1Heia mutter,
lives she still?'
Yes! yes! cried the now happy Dur
er, come within and see her and Lott
chen, thy sister, and her boys
But Frau Durer had heard her hus-
bands words, and came hurrying for
ward. 'AlbrechtI is it Albrecht?' she
cried, overawed by the gorgeous attire
of the young man.
Yes, mutterchen!s it is AIbreeht, your
son. e - = ~ q
4 think, said old Hapse Martin, the
painter, pressing forward, 4 think, mein
Herr Durer that you should thank Heav-
en- for your sons disobedience; for at
this moment he is The first artist in the
land, as well rs the most accomplished
engraver, architect and engineer. The
Emperor Macmillan, long live His
Majesty, has appointed him his first
painter and engraver, and employs both
his pencil and graver. And besides
I that, tlierepublic of Venice has employ
ed him to construct fortress, and the
French King has sent for him to Orna-
ment the city Of Paris. tell you fell
lOw-citizens,. we, Of Nuremberg, should
be proud Of our Albrecht. rejoice that
these old hands were the first to teach
him how to hold a palette and penciIs:'
Good Herr Martini, said AIbrecbt.
your kind heart prompts your gracious
words-and ! trust ye all, my fellow
citizens, viii tind Albrecht Durer
worthy of his master and Of Nurem-
berg
Hiss X. 4. lLatthe,C.