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


widow, after having cast an eye over
the total adding up. Why this is
enormous !"
"You begged me to spare no expense"
said the sculptor.
eyes, no doubt desire to do things
properly" repliod the widow; "but not
exactly to make a fool of myself"
This, at present, you see, is only
design" observed the artist, "and
there is yet time to cut it down."
Well, then, suppose we were to
leave out the temple and the columns
and all the architectural part, and con-
tent ourselves with the statue2 Itseems
to me that this would be very appro-
pirate"
"Certainlyit would" replied the artist.
alone"
Shortly after this second visit, the
sculptor fell desperately i'll. He was
compelled to give up work; but return
ing from tour in Italy, prescribed by
his physician, he presented himself once
more before the widow, who was then in
the tenth month of her mourning. He
found this time few roses among the
cypress, and some smiling colors playing
over half-shaded grounds. He brought
with him little model of his statue,
done in plaster, and Offering in miniature
the idea of what his work was to be.
"What do you think of the likeness 2"
he inquired of the widow.
cit seems to me little fattered.
My husband was all very well, no
doubt; but you are making him an
Apollo!"
"Really? Well, then, I can correct
my work by the portrait"
"Don't take the trouble" said the
widow ga little more, or little less
like, what does it matter9"
"Excuse me, but I am particular
about Iikenesses."
eff you absolutely must
"It is in the drawingroom, yonder, is
it note I'll go in there"
SIT is not there any longer" replied
the widow, ringing the bell "Baptiste, I"
said she to the servant who came in,
bring. down the portrait OF your
master"
"The portrait that you sent up to the
garret last week, madam"
eyes"
At this moment the door opened, and
young man of distinguished air en-
tered; his manners were easy and
familiar; he kissed the fair Widows
hand, and tenderly inquired after her
health.
"Who in the world is this good man
in plaster?" asked he, pointing with his
finger to the statuette, which the artist
had placed upon the mantelpiece.
10 1,n n1 Ofa o1o|
husbands tomb" she replied.
You are having statue of him
made9 'Tis very majestic"
Do you think sol said the widow.
"It is only great men who are thus
cut out of marble, and at full length, 4"
replied the young man; "it seems to
me, too, that the deceased was a very
ordinary parsonage"
"Well, ] think his bust would be
sufficient" )" observed the widow.
"Just as you please, madam" said
the sculptor.
"Well, let it be bust then," said the
widow; "that's determined"
Two months later the artist, carrying
home the bust, encountered on the stairs
merry party. The widow, giving her
hand to the elegant dandy who had
caused the statue of the deceased to be
cut down, was on her way to the mayors
office, whore she was about to take a
second oath of conjugal fidelity. If the
bust had not been completed, it would
willingly have been dispensed with.
When, some time later, the artist call d
for his money, there was an outcry
about the price; and it required very lit
tie less than threat of legal proceedings
before the widow, consoled and remar-
ried, concluded by resigning herself to
pay for this funeral homage, reduced as
it was, to the memory Of her departed
husband.