The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-03-07
THE STOLEN PORTRAIT.
From the New York sunday Times

/ Pierre Arnot who dwell near Aries. IL
the south Of France, together with hi
wife and little grand-daugh calico
Pauline. This little girl at ten years O.
age, was not only exceedingly lovely II
Iperson, but was gifted with a voice which
was the delight of all who heard it sc
sweet, so clear and SO powerful were its
tones And when the good priest tobk
her into the village choir, persons flom
the neighhorlng hamlets, and even from
Aries, would come purposely to hear her
sing. Yet no persuasion or representation
could lnduce Pierre to part with his little
grand daughter, for the purpose of hav-
ing her educated for the opera. Pierre,
though practically knowing nothing OF
the world bevoud his own neighborhood,
knew something Of the trials and temptit,
tions that b@set stage singers and act
resSeS, and not for all the riches or fame
| that might thereby be brought, would he
have subjected his little Pau!ine-his
pretty treasure, his h0rae's sunshine-to
such an ordeal.
| One day there came two strangers
very fine and polite gentlemen, they seem
ed 10 Pierre and his wife-to negotiate
for he little girl. They would educate Der
and treat her like a lady; they would
g1ard her as though she were a princess /;
hey would pour into Pierre's hands un
counted gold, if be would only consent 20
let them take Pauline and educate her as
a public singer. But Pierre was deaf to
all entreatIes, and the little girl herself
screly frightened at the idea OF leaving
her dear grand parents and the humble
vine wreathed hut in which she had dwelt
since her birth So the negotiators for
he Theatre RoyaIe went away disappoint
ed and angry.
But some weeks after, as little Pauline
stood leaning upon the crazy wicker gate,
gazing dreamily at the rose tinted clouds
which the sunset had left, (for the little
Child loved all beautiful sights and
soands,) softly and lowly from the mead
oWs below cahl6 the sound of music, and
the sweetest, most fairy-like music that
she had ever heard. At first she fancied
1t mustcome from the clouds, so seraphic
ally soft and dreamy was it and taen she
advanced few steps, and then listened,
and advanced again, and finally her little
hare leet went tripping through the grass
and daisies in quest of the mysterious
sounds. And this sight-the sight of the
little fairy figure in its white peasants
dress, Lit up In the rosy halo of summer
sunset-was the last glimpse that the
good old grandmother calling after her
from the cottage fencc-eyer had of her
little Pauline ..--.-
Some people who had also heard that
heavenly music, said that the little GIRL
bad been enticed away by the fairies.
And this belief grew into popular ira
dltlon as year after year passed, and moth
ing more was seen or heard Of Pauline
Aruot
These years had brought sad changes to
good Pierre. His wife was dead. He
was alone in the world, infrm, and unable
TO work, or indeed to do anything but
play on his violin, which he did with
marvellous skill, for talent for music
was inherent in the family. He had to
sell his little cottage; and then without 4
house to shelter him, and too proud to
accept unrequited charity he took his
violin in hand, and set forth in his old
age to earn precarious livelihood by
playing from town to town. And at
length he came to England, and, after
Valnly trying his fortune in the streets of
London, proceeded to the country, among
whose green fields and shadowy lanes the
country bred old man felt more at home,
O1e day he stopped at small village
called Upsham. Observing shop where
bread and cheese and beer were sold he
entered and humbly in his broken Eng
lish, requested to be Favored" with
some of them. The keeper of the shop a
good-looking, kind hearted dame, set be-
fore him the desired refreshment, and as
he ate, half-tamished, she marked his
poor clothing and infirm appearance, and
the care worn look of his lace, and grad
ually drew oat his whole history. Il was
with bitter sorrow that he dwelt upon
the disappearance of his little Pauline
de had but one memorial of her, he said
IA portrait Of her mother tax en- when
the latter was a girl Of eighteen, by a
young travelling artist whom the Gotta
gers had nursed through a dangerous i'll.
ness.
This miniature the young man had
painted and left, with a token of his
gratitude; and this poor Pierre had
brought with him from home. and wore
constantly IN the bosom Of his coat. He
now drew it forth and showed it to the
sympathlzing hostess. 1t was he said. a
good Likeness of Pauline's mother, but
far more resembled the little girl herself
at the time she was stolen away by the
fairies.
The kind heart of the woman was
touched. r - -
+" can get you good job friend,"3 she
said, If you will remain here until tn
morrow night. Sir John Bottoms second
son Arthur, Captain Bolton, of the lra.
goons, was married last week. and to.
morrow they and their guests 90 to a