The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-05-10
eRIRP,s DECLINE.

tols y fnIls aI NJ, was suiiponea, A. snort
time since, to the house ofa young lady,
connected by birth with q family of the
highest graue IN the aristocfacy Of
wealth. aud who had been united IN mar
rtage 70 the heir Of 0 title illustrious in
the military annals OF the empire. The
union, formed under the happiest aus
pices was OF short duration. Death,
Implying death, fuptured its by
prematurely carrying of the young hus-
band. The sculptor was summoned BY
the widow. he ttayersed the apart
ments, silent and deserted, unit he wla
introduced INTO o bedroom, and found
himself IN the presence Of 10 Ilady, young
and beautiful, but h9bited in tho deepi
est mourning, and with face furrowed
by tears. 5
lyon arc aware, said she, with d
painful eifort, and ayoice half choked
by sobs, /" sou are asnre of the blow
which have receiyedl iea
The artist bowed, with an air Of re
specttur condolence. 4, 4, ,is
N Sir, continued the widow, ~ nm
anxious 70 have o funeral monument
erected In honor oil the husband whom /
have lost. s,s3 41lsl,4
The artist bowed again, ~
81 wish sthAt the monument should
bo superb, worthy Of the man whose
lossI weep, proporhoned to the unends
ing grief into which hisloss has plunged
me. i care lnot what 1t costs. u am
rich, and / will willingly sacrifice nll my
fortune 10 do honor 70 the memory Of
atadored husband, must have . ten.
ple-with columns-in marble and i'm
the middleton q pedestal his statue"
81 will do my best % fulfill your
wishes, madam, replied the artist;
"bnt 1 had not the honor of acauain-
tnnce with the deceased, and q likeness
OF him is indispensable for the due exc.
cution Of my work. Without doubt you
have his portrait I" M VII "a
The widow raised her ann. md point.
ed despaitingly to splendid likeness
painted by Amaury DuSal -
ga most admirable picturelp OBJ
served the artist 'fand the painter's
name Is sufficient guarantee for It's
striking resemblance TO the original" "
"Those are his very features, sir; 1t Is
himself. 1twants but life. All, would
that i could restore II 10 him nt the cost
ofmy fortune" ,-,, y,
81 will have this portrait carried To
my ,stndio, rnadam, and 1 promise TINT
the marble ahhll reproduce Il exactly.o
The widow, at these words, sprung
up, and at d single bonnd; throwing her:
self toward the picture, With arms
stretched out as though 10 defend it, ex-
claihed.b ,sPGftafilfl fiANli ~
"Take away this portraiti carry of
my only consolation my sole remaining
comfort ] never neyeri ! alii lita -
"But, madam, you will only be de-
priyed Of II for o abort time. sand ~ I
"Not M hour mot . minute could /
exist without his beloved inmgei Eook 4
you, sir, / have Ind It placed here in my
room, that my eyes might bei fastened.
upon II without ceasing, nnd through
my tears. His portrait shall never leave
thiss spot one single instant, and in CON
templating that viii 4 PMS the relnain-
der Of miserable and sorrowful exist.
ence' 4, M, N
"In that casc, madam, yon will DO
compelled 10 permit me to iike 4 copyo
it. But do not be uneasy-SI shali' not
hayo occasion 10 trouble yotm solitude
for any length Of timo; one sltetch-one
sitting will suffice. p liil'
The widow agreed to this arrange-
ment she only insisted that the artist
should come bhck the following diy.
slant, so great was her longing 70 see
the mads6ldun erectad. The sculptor,
however, remarked that hc had another
woritoi finish first. This difficulty she
sought 10 overcome by means Of money.
"Impossible !" replied the artist ;"I
have given my word but do not distress
yourself !; I viii apply 10 Il So diligently |
that the monument alinll be finishod In
as abort . time rs any other sculptor
would require who couldapply himself
TO il forthwith ntlfle
aYou see my distress, aaid the
widow; g you can make allowance for
my inpatiencc. Be speedy, then, and
above all, DO lavish oi tnagnihcence.
Spare no expense only let me have q
masterpiece" ssb.s 4 l.3
Several letters echoed these injunc-
tions during the iew days inme ediately \
following the interview. Attic expitn
tion Of three months the artist called
again. He found the widow still IN
weeds, but alittle lees pallid, and q little
more N coauettislllyl dressed IN her mourn
ing garb. !, .s.ls lysir i..4i.iy III
2. iadam. said lie, clam entirely OF
your service ). ). :,