The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1873-02-22

INJURED below her breath. 30 dear little
rose il only tn. world can but know this
greatnessr
Meanwhile the old man looked through
the sketches, and studies with which the
room was strewed. gu do not finish
your things2" he said abruptly
Rene finished deeply. 'Oil pictures cos,
money" he said briefly, and am verv
poor"
Though a peasants son, he was very
proud: the u,terance must have cost him
much
The stranger took snuff "You are man
of singular genius" he said simply. "You
only want to be known to get the prices OF
Meissonier."
Meissonier the Rothschild OF the stu
dos, the artist whose six inch canvas would
bring the gold value OF Raphael or a
Titan
Lii, breathing fast aud white as death
with ecstasy, made the sign Of the cross on
her breast: the delicate brown hand OF
Rene shook where it leaned on his easel.
They were both silent-silent in the in
tensiy of their hope
"Do you know who am p the old man
pursued with a cordial smile.
Il have not, sir, the honor murmured
Rene.
The stranger, taking his snuff out of
gold box, named name al which the pain
ter started. 1t was that of enc of the crea
test art-dealers in the whole of Enrope one
who at word could make or mar an ar.
usts reputation; one whose accuracy OF
judgment was considered iniallible bv au
connoIssenrs, and the passport to whose
galleries was to any unknown painting n
certain passport also to the fame of any
man
y on are a man ofsinguiar genius, re-
peaied the great purchaser, taking his snuff
IN the middle of the little bare chamhcr.-
1t is curious-one always finds genins
either in "a cellar or in an attic: it never l,v
any chance, is to be discovered midway ON
the stai-s-never in the mc=.o kerzo But tn
the point fou have great delicacy ortouch
striking originality, II wonderful purity vet
bloom in your color, and an exquisite fin
ish OF minutla, without any Weakness
combination rare, very rare That siil
yonder, feeding white pigeons on the leads
of a root, with an atom OF blue skv. aud "A
few vine leaves straying over the parapet
that Is per fectly conceived Finished il
must be. SO must that little study of til,
beggar boy looking through the gilded
gates into the rose gardens-it i charm
ing charming. Your price Tor these?'
kenes colorless, worn young face color
ed to the hrows monsieur is too good.
he mutlered brokenly. a nameless artist
has no price, except"
Honor" murr. ured Lii as she moved
forward with throbbing heart and dim ewes.
"Ah, monsieur give him name in old
Paris We want nothing else-lothiug
else !"
Poor foolsr' said the dealer to his
snufi-box. heard him-they did not
Madame he answered aloud. Paris
herself will give him that the first day hi-
first canvas hangs in my galleries. Mean.
while, mnst in honesty be permitted to
add something more For each OF these
little canvases, the girl on the roof and the
boy at the gate, viii now give you two
thousand francs, and two thousand more
when they shall be completed entirely -
Provided
lie paused and glanced musingly at
Rene.
Lii had turned away, aud was sobbing
for very JOY at this undreamed-of deliver
ance
Rene stood quite still, with liz hands
crossed on his easel and hi7 head bent on
his chest The room, think, swan around
him
The old man eauntered again a little
about the place, lol<ins here aud looking
there, murmuring certain artistic d,squi-i-
tons technical aud scientific, leaving them
time to recover from the intensity other
en- OttOu.
What a noble thing old age was, ! thof
living only TO give hope 10 the Young in
their -orrow- aud TO release captive talents
from the prison of ob-cur.yi We should
leave thc little room in tho roof and dwell
In some bright quarter where J., WAS all
leaves aud flowers aod Rene would be
great. aui .o 90 dine with princes aud drive