Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-02-07
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIDOW

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THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIDOW.
How rapid is the progress Of oblivion
with respect to those who are no more
Lasting grief exists only in the literature
Of tombstones In this world, thcro is
too generally, but one class OF widows
who are inconsolNble-tho who refuse
to be comtortcd because they can't get
married again.
ono Of our most distinguished sculp-
tors was summoned, u few months since,
to the house OF II young widow. He ira
verscd the apartments, silent and desert
ed, until he was introduced into the bou-
doir and found himself in tho presence
of "A lady, young and beautiful, but habi-
ted in tho deepest mourning, and with Il
face iurrowcd by tears.
" You have como in answer to my SUM
mons said she with painful effort, and
II voice hall.chokcd with sobs.
You know the misfortune" hero she
applied delicate cambric handkerchief
to her eyes" tho loss"-sho could get
no further.
The artist bowed, with an air Of res
pectlul coincidence.
81 wish," continued the widow"
wish to erect monument to the memory
of my poor husband. have chosen you
to execute the order" She had become
somewhat calmcr.
81 wish the monument to be superb
worthy Of the dear companion | have
lost proporlioncd to my She was
getting hystcrical Her visitor handed
her u bottle of salts that stood couvcn-
lent ON the little workable.
The widow resumed. "Spore no cx
pcnsc. | would willingly consecrotc my
whole fortune to honor his memory"
81 should like" said tho widow, ngair
coming to the point, II temple, with
columns in marblc-and in the middl,
--on II pedestal his statue" Hero she
became completely broken down with
continued sobbng.
81 shall do my best to fulGl your wish
cs, madam" " replied the man of art. |
had not however, tho houorof personally
knowing the late Mr., Bellair, and his
likeness is Indispensable to the completion
Of the design. Doubtless you have por-
trait Of him."
Tho widow raised her rounded arm
and pointed to II magnificent portrait, by
one Of our first artists.
A most admirable picture" obscry-
ed the sculptor, "and the painters name
is sufficient guarantee for its striking re
semblance to the original"
"Thosc are his very features, sir it l.
himself, 1t wants but life. All, would
that could restore it to him at the cost
Of my fortunc.'
81 will have his portrait carried to my
studio, madam, and promise that the
marble shall reproduce it exactly"
The widow, at these words, sprang up
and, throwing herself towards the pic
ture, with arms stretched out as though
to defend it, exclaimed
"Tako away this portrait carry OF
my only consolation my sole remaining
comfort never never ~
But madam, you will only be de
prived Of it for a short time, and"
" Not an hour-not minute could
exist without his beloved image hay,
had it placed here in my own room, tina
my eyes might be fastened upon it with
out ccasing, through my tears. His por
trait shall never leave this spot one sin
gle instant, and in contemplating that
will pass the remainder Of miserable
and sorrowiul existence.
"ln that case madam, you will b,
compelled to permit me to take a copy o
/ il. But do not be uneasy, | shall no
have occasion to trouble your sorrow 70
any length Of time one sketch-ono sit
ting will suffice"
The widow agreed TO this arrangement
she only insisted the artist should com
bacl, tho following day. She wanted hin
to set to work on the instant, SO great wa
her desire to see the mausoleum erected
The sculptor, however, remarked that h
had another work to finish first. Thi
difficulty she sought to overcome by tn
means Of money.
Impossible J" replied the artist. "
have given my word f.; but do not distre.
yourself; | will apply myself so diligenl
ly that the monument shall be finished
as short time as possible"
I" You see my Distress said the wld
ow, "you must make allowance for m.
impatienee. BE speedy, then, and abov
all, be lavish Of magnillcence. Spare NJ
expense, only let me have a master
piece"
Several letters echoed these injunction
during the few days Immediately follow
ing this interview.
At the end of three months the sculp
tor returned. lie had completed tn