The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-07-11
THE PAINTER AND THE MILLION
ARE.

Baron James de Rothschild was anxious to
be put on canvass by Vernet. A picture of
Vernet's, he reflected, was an investment as
well as joy forever. It might, some years
hence, fetch very high price, and was,
! therefore, worth securing. even at small
sacrifice. Vernet, however, he knew, was
not man to make two prices, aud his only
chance was cleverly to cajole him into
naming low figure the first time. Vernet
at once saw the game Of his willy customer;
he looked him in the face, and at one glance
took him in from head to foot, estimated
the length of his pocket, and the same time
the measure of his meanness. He then said,
in a resolute tone: ~
I'M. lie Baron, my price for full length
portrait of you would be 10000 francs -
:Ten thousand francs My dear Vernet,
would you ruin me? [ can't give that sum
for mere portrait"
Vernet shrugged his shoulders. 'sThat is
just as you please there is no necessity to
put yourself to the expense, and it seems to
be very foolish way Of spending your mon
ey, but that is not my affair. l wish you
good morning"
M. lie Baron stood bewildered he wanted
the portrait, but he could rot make up his
mind 20 part with so great sum he went
home a sadder, but not, perhaps a wiser
man. He resolved to shake off all thought
of this eXtravagant indulgence, but it would
come sack upon him have 1t he must, and
in less than week he was at the painters
studio.
"Well, NJ. Vernet," he began, "have you
thought over the matter we were talking |
about the other day %
mo, upon my word, [ haven't indeed"
oil ho inf wit
cupation II have been very busy and as it |
was settled matter when you left, there |
was no object of thinking of it again We
have had pleasant change in the weather, /
NJ. lie Baron, since l saw you," added he, at
Ter panse.
Rothschild could scarcely conceal his vex a.
ton, and felt more DESTROYS than ever to
possess the object of his longlngs
Now, NJ. Vernet, am still open to ar
range for that picture, and am come to- day
to offer 5000 francs for it but mind, not
one centime more. When shall I give you
the first sitting 20
"Oh, my dear sir, don't mention it again.
pray. had the honor to name you my
conditions. You must'be good enough to &C.
cept them as final Good morning, M. R."
and he politely conducted his visitor to the
door, pallet in hand.
"Confound the fellows impudence," ex
claimed the disappointedsm Millionaire, finding
himself alone Oh the landing. .''Why, hang
him, he's as obstinate as q mule. l shar't
manage him after all' And he went away
puzzled and mortified e.
Another and another haggling interview
took place, but always with the same Mig
gardly policy on the part of the banker, and
the same cool indifference on the part Of the
painter. A long interval of hesitation fol-
lowed, when Baron + having screwed him
self up to the required pitch, and resolved to
have his portrait. even at the sta thing sum
again presented himself at the
painting room.
IN. Vernet !" he exclaimed, "you have
gained your point; 1 give ln-paint me at
your own price ~
Paint you !" exclaimed Vernet, with well
feigDed surprise "What, again?'
Again What do you mean %
why, have painted your port raft, ever
SO long ago all the time you were sitting
huxtering there, I was taking your portrait,
and as you are so poor l will make you the
compliment of it; you are painted without
any charge" .s
Generous man % exclaimed the modern
ShyIOck ;"I accept; where is the magic
canvas that may admire it 20
You will find it in the Prise de la SnadZG,
now at Versailles; it has just been removed
rom my studio into its place"
Rothschild fastened to Versailles he
rushed into the midst of the admiriug crowd
congregated before the production of the
great artist he searched the surface with
pa plating heart but imagine his dismay /;
IN one corner of The grand picture he saw
himself represented in the figure of Jew
rnnning away with casket He hurried
back to Paris, and after approaching Vernet
with the severity of his pleasantly, begged
him, on any terms, to paint it oct.
Il CONSENT" said Vernet, "but on this
condition. 1 asked you 10, 0I0 francs to paint
your portrait, and you could well afford to
give it me but you bargained with genius,
though you expected and would have receiv-
ed its unlimited eXertions now edemand
20 0O0 frnncs to eface it, and, if you refuse, it
remains there as a "Reminiscences OF this little
joke"
Vernet was memorable. Rothschild could
never bring himself to draw up so large
check, even to undraw such picture, and he
went out the world leaving behind him
the equ!Yoc al memento.
Dispatches received from Mr.. Stanley,