The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-05-13
GRIEF,S DECLINE.

GRIEF'S DECLINE.
One of the most distinguished sculp-
tors of Paris was summoned, q short
time since, to the house of a young lady,
connected by birth with family of the
highest grade in the aristocracy of
wealth, and who had been united in mar
riage to the heir of title illustrious in
the military annals of the empire. The
union, formed under the happiest aus
pices, was of short duration. Death,
Implying death, ruptured it, by
prematurely carrying off the young hus-
band. The sculptor was summoned by
the widow. He traversed the apart
ments, silent and deserted, until he was
introduced into q bedroom, and found
himself in the presence of q lady, young
and beautiful, but habited in the deep
est mourning, and with face furrowed
by tears.
"You are aware" said she, with q
painful effort, and O voice half choked
by sobs, "you are aware of the blow
which / have received 2"
The artist bowed, with an air of re-
spectful coincidence.
" Sir" continued the widow, " 1 am
anxious to have funeral monument
erected in honor of the husband whom 1
have lost"
The artist bowed again.
"I wish that the monument should
be superb, worthy of the man whose
loss L weep, proportional to the unend-
ing grief into which his loss has plunged
me. L care not what it costs. [ am
rich, and 1 will willingly sacrifice all my
fN IL Il r
an adored husband L must have tenn
ple-with columns-in marble-and in
the middleton a pedestal statue. F."
{" will do my best to fulfill your
wishes, madam" replied the artist;
but L had not the honor of acquain-
lance with the deceased, and likeness
of him is indispensable for the due exc
cution of my work. Without doubt you
have his portrait p
The widow raised her arm, and point
ed despairingly to splendid likeness
painted by AmNury Duval.
GA most admirable picture !" OBJ
served the artist, "and the painters
name is sufficient guarantee for its
striking resemblance to the original"
"Those are his very features, sir; it is
himself. 1t wants but life. All, would
that l could restore it to him at the cost
of my fortune"
81 will have this portrait carried to
my studio, madam, and L promise that
the marble shall reproduce it exactly"
The widow, at these words, sprung
up, and at II single bound throwing her
self toward the picture, with arms
stretched out as though to defend it, ex-
claimed:
Take away this portrait carry off
my only consolation my sole remaining
comfort never never %
"But, madam, you will only be de-
prived of it for short time, and =
Not an hour-,not minute could
exist without his beloved image Look
you, sir, L have had it placed here in my
room, that my eyes might be fastened
upon it without ceasing, and through
my tears His portrait shall never leave
this spot one single instant, and in con-
templating that will I pass the remain
der of miserable and sorrowful exist
ence."
" In that case, madam, you will be
compelled to permit me to take COPY of
it. But do not be uneasy-I shall not
have occasion to trouble your solitude
for any length of time; one sketch-one
sitting will suffice"
The widow agreed to this arrange
ment ; she only insisted that the artist
should come back the following day.
She wanted him to set to work on the in
slant, SO great was her longing to see
the mausoleum erected. The sculptor,
however, remarked that he had another
work to finish first. This difficulty she
sought to overcome by means of money.
" impossible :" replied the artist ''I
have given my word but do not distress
yourself L will apply to it so diligently
that the monument shall be finished in
as short time as any other sculptor
would require who could apply himself
to it forthwith"
" You see my Distress" said the
widow "you can make allowance for
my impatience. Be speedy, then, and
above all, be lavish of magnifcence.
Spare no expense only let me have a
Several letters echoed these iniunc-
tions during the few days Immediately
following the interview. At the expira-
tion of three months the artist called
again. He found the widow still in
weeds, but little less pallid, and little
more coquettishly dressed in her mourn
ing garb.
Madam" said he, 81 am entirely at
your service"
"Ah at last this is Fortunate" re-
piled the widow, with gracious smile.
81 have made my design" said the
artist. :" but l still want one sitting for
5he likeness. Will you permit me to go
nto your bedroom2"
Into my bedrooms For what p
"To look at the portrait again.
"Oh yes ; have the goodness to walk
nto the drawingroom you will find it
here now."
"Ah ! said the artist, surveying the
portrait.
eyes; it hangs better there" OBJ
served the widow I" it is better lighted
n the drawingroom than in my own
room."
Would you like, madam, to look at
'he design for the monument 2"
with pleasure /" replied the widow.
' Oh what size What profusion of
decoration Why, it is a palace, sir,
ibis tomb p
" Did you not tell me, madam, that
lothing could be too magnificent 4? 1
have not considered the expense; and,
BY the way, here is a memorandum Of