The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-04-26

dred ducats in advance for the said
picture. He will also escort you to a
lodging I have prepared for you, and
to which will repair for the sittings
for my picture. l am, as you have
dOubtlessy discovered, employed
about the person of His Most Catholic
Majesty, and our sovereign often passes
Through these apartments; and. as he
objects to the scent of paint, oil and
liturpentine, I think it more becoming
that my portrait be painted without
1.-THE palace. As am in service about
the kings person in the day, 1 can
only come to you at night. Can you
paint by lamplight ?"
II can, SIR"
"AbOve all things, mention to no
one, beseech you, that we-that Is,
that am having my portrait painted.
Mention my name to no one. Guard
your tongue, and never come to the
palace to inquire for me; object to
persons coming here on business. Ii
you require anything ask it of Ruy
| Gomez; he has orders to serve you in
all things. Tonight, at o'clock, 1
1
Before Coelio could answer, the dis
guised king had disappeared. Ruy
Gomez escorted the painter to the
spacious apartment, situated in a re-
mote part of the city. There he dis
/ easels, pencils, and cO1ors ready pre-
pared for his use. That night, and
for many nights following, Philip ar
| rived punctually at nine o'clock; if
| detained over night, he came very
early in the morning. The portrait
was executed with such finish and
fine cOloring that the king, who was a
good judge of art, pronounced it a
masterpiece. - f '.i !
About a week before it was finished,
Philip informed his new protege that
he had mentioned him to His Catholic
Majesty, who appointed the following
day, at noon, for the purpose of be-
coming acquainted. with the new
artist, and also to fix an hour for sit
ting for a portrait of his royal self.
will not venture to describe the feel
ings of joy with which Coelio heard
this news, or his vision of future glory,
eliminating in brilliant marriage
with Dona Estafania.
! LPunctpally at the stroke Of midday,
COelio found himself, with beating
heart, in the presence of the King Of
Spain. 1t would have been impossible
for him to- have recognized the aged
Don Paez In the stately sovereign who
stood before him. Philip was at this
time in the bloom of youth, rs Titan
has presented him to u.s. So oslenderly,
yetso well pfOportioned, that although
he was not above the middle height,
he appeared tall. His hair and beard
We're exceedingly fair, his brow broad
and infelleetual,l his eyes blue, clear
and penetrating, and his expression
majestic, and commanding. He wore
a suit of black velvet slashed with
satin, and upon his head a black cap
with feathers. Beneath his ruff of
fine lace hung upon his breast the
gorgeous collar of the Fleece of Gold.
"Sanchez Coelio," he said, in a
somewhat stern tone, 1--WE hear from
our good servant, Don Paez, that you
are an artist of some skill. 1t is our
purpose that you paint, our portrait"
lefour Majesty" said Coelio, bow
Ing low. +.
"Silence! interrupt us not. This
picture must be finished by the day of
st. Philip our holy patron There
wants three weeks to the time.nil' >
"Your Majesty. again broke in
Coelio.
m.Speak not until we have said our
say We inteaaftO be painted in the
character of our holy patron, st.
Philip, and will take our first sitting
this very day. What is it you would
say to us?"
= ''This much, your majesty, and no
to paint your majesty's picture by ST.
Philips day. because I cannot begin
it for at least a week, although it is
the greatest honor and ambition of
my life to serve your majesty in this
NATTER" -.,.,
"Our servant, Don Paez, assures US
that you paint with marvellous rapid
ity;n' .. -, .....,.... ;,
ised to finish the likeness Of the Senior
Don Paez by The festival of his
daughter. He saved my life, and he
paid ME in, n,advancezon condition it is
finished on that day: T have given
him my promise L must fulfill il"
"Sir, Coelio," said the King, assum-
| ing.a terrible aspect, "know that we
! have some reason tOssuspect that you
! are. an simposter, and have deceived
our most worthy servant PaeZ. There
are those within who know you bet
ter than you think for" -.o
"Let them appearw exclaimed
| Sanchez Coefio, with impetuOus in
dignation. "Let them appear; 1 do
not fear them, whoever they may be.
Never has a lie passed my lips; never
have l committed an action for which,
1 need blush-never but once, and
then was driven by want and misery
to seek to free myself from life which
had become an intOlerable burden.
Y0ur-servant,s sDensP Paez, saved me. l
impose upon him? No! 1 would die
first. Bring forward those who know
me better than think for; and then,
King Philip, truth shall put calumny.
to the blush"
The king struck three times heavily
upon the floor with his sword. Sud
denly the door opened and who should
appear before the astonished Sanchez
I Coelio but fhe Marquis Of Mariavalle,
leading in Donna Esfafania!
The young lover stood like one under
a spell. Presently he opened wide his
arms, and folded them again, pressing
the beautiful Estafania to his heart.
He led her to ths king, Who drawing
I from beneath his cloak the gray beard
and locks of his disguise, held them up
before the astonishsd painter, .
Il FtPhilip Of Spain and Dun Paez are
one and the same. Z May Sanchez
Coelio, whom Don ,Paez has learned to
love, be ever true to Philip. Marquis
of Mariavalle, we ask of you the hand
of your daughter, EstAfania, for our
court-painter, and beloved friend, Dor,
1 Alfonzo Sanchez de Cello" 'i'if,
"That which the king asks, a sub
ject may not ,.eny,n answered the old
courtier, bowling low before his
sovereign.
| aGod bless you Sanchez, said
Philip, az he placed the hand Of Esta-
fania in that of Cecilia. /" May you both
be as happy as I"-here he lowered his
voice-"as I am wretched."- From
the AIdine. ti
"f Master and Man In Japan.
No feature in japanese society is
more c,lriOns than the relations be-