Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-06-04
FOLDED HANDS.


Franz Knigstein. Both were near o
an age, and both were about to ente
the studio of Michael Wohlgemuth,
famous artist of that day. But, with
difference: Jacob Knigstein, worthy
builder and craftsman that he was, hac
one supreme longing, namely, to sc,
his son an artist, SO Franz's hand:
were made strong by home-love and
sympathy, while Albrecht had won
but grudging consent from the ole
goldsmith father, who would fain have
seen his craft-handed down as an heir
loom, from generation to generation
However, consent had been given. A:
for sympathy, one could work without
it, as Durer found in later years, al
even greater cost, when he married
Hans Fritz's daughter.
The boys were Michael Wohlge.
muth'ssteady patient students through
the appointed years of service; but the
wandering years that Albrecht gave to
Germany, Franz decided to pass in
sunny Italy. Their master gave an
expressive shrug as Franz left him
after goOd-by words. Franz is coed
lad. Durer,' he said to the old gold.
ciiiths LUZ n kttiIltcT-uGN6T At
brecht, now-that is another matter.
The goldsmith grunted, not yet fully
reconciled to his sons choice: but pleas.
ed at Wohlgemuth's rare praise.
'Albrecht does well enough; but has
not Franz the prize for prospective,
even now?'
Yes said the old painter, smiling.
by Albrecht's grace, albeit Franz
knows it not. Albrecht did not choose
to take it from him; that is all. II
Franz sketches cat, lie must needs
dissect it first, to be sure about the
muscles; then he looks after each par
ticular hair in PusS's tail; and yet, it is
but dead cat, after all. Whereas,
five strokes from Albrecht make Kats-
chen herself, back up, ready, to spring
And poor Franz keeps labOring on
with might and main, over what the
other does with a turn of his little
Iinger! And yet, with the good father,
who thinks the sun rises over Franz'S
right shoulder and sets over the left,
and that pretty Gretchen, for whom he
has set the world on fire already, and
nis own earnest belief in his vocation,
the lad must some day do something
We'll. ! never was painter, and do
not understand their nOtions,' placidly
returned the goldsmith, as he quilted
Wohlgemuth.
Nuremberg heard from time to time
of the art students journeyings. When
the three years were eEded, Franz
came back To his proild father and the
sweetheart who .iau patiently bided
fer time of waiting, and they were
wedGed.
As for Albrecht, you know how, his
travels ended, ne came home, married
a shrew, and lived, labored and died in
Perhaps the mans suf-
fering was the artists gain; and if Hans
Fritz's daughter cared nothing for that
nobie heart, it was all the freer for
Arts unchalienged holding. But
the contrast between the two friends
band'work grew more marked as time
went On. No matter how strange or
tar-fetehed and ftineyof Durer's, some
heart rang to its touch; no matter how
careful, how elaborate,-aye, how loft.
lily and deeply spiritual, Franz's pic
ture, it hung uns0ught and unreaard-
ed in his studio, till the disgdsted
artist put it out of sight. Gretchen
stili believed i'm her husbanC. Old
knigssein was dead, and Franz had
not now full leisure to give to paiifting;
for, finding his art unpr9fittbIe, 30 far
as money Nas concerned, he haG taken
up Lis fathers old traue of house
Here, the Eurenbergers
sang his praises, nothinglotii, and work
poured in upon him, fer the new
a0nses were betterthan old dknigstein's;
)ut 30 matter what the pressure,i Franz
'tiIi held firmly to his rule-sO many
lays in the week builder, so many
lays an artist. 70 = q l-itsv s.lsc nlor.
In one of the many talks between
he two frienos. they found that 10th
lad been planning Il series of etchings
m the same subject-tfts Passion ofour
Lord. 1t was Franz who proposed
hat neither should hear the others
nor see his fellows work in
,rogress, until both had done. then
hey woi.id compare results. And to
he sincere, Supplemented men, il
vas only natural to kneel and ask
blessing on the work of their hands be-
ore they parted. ~ 81 ~
cannot tell you how much time the
tehings took, but il was long enough
% make F'raaz's lace sharpen in Il way
hat made his sefelier conirade- think
It Dante, whose cheeks the great poem
made lean through SD Hlaisy years. ITO
Albrecht, the work ever brought peace
nd calm; it was we'll for hini that it
lidi t isl-lsf5
At last, both had finished; and AL
'recht brought mis- work to FranZ's
oO,n. in silence they laid ont cores
,Onding sketches, one by one, then
TODD regarding the well-covered ia
lie. Truly, the great subject had but
hown Franz's lack of fitness for it. |
lis etchings showed, beside Durer's,
Ike a set of mocking, goddess carrica-
ureS; and with one move of his arm,
wept them to the floor.
'Lie there he said bitterly. 'Dost |
hink that would dishonor my God by |
uch as ye axe?'
He sat down, with his face between |
is hands. All, children, failure are
ard at fifteen, but they are crushing |
forty-fve! Durer sat watching him, !
l great distress, yet not daring to say |
word of comfort. How could he,
yhen the only company worth having |
'as praise of the work so rightly con-
There was long silence, with one or
yo fearless, heart-wringing sobs 10
reak it, then Franz said, Tomorrow,
Utrecht, you shall know all my heart; /
ut now
You are best alone,' returned his
lend, gathering up his own studies,
nd heartily glad to be gone.
- l.. ,,,t thr,l
forming. He looked like one worn
Y long vigil, but yet his face had a
rene steadfast look, that surprised
Utrecht, who had rather dreaded to
ae him.
Let me see your etchings again.
ranz asked, after the morning greet
lgs.
Albrecht silently laid them before
i'm. He looked at them, one by one
len he said: