The Van Buren press., 1876-05-23
MISCELLANY.
The Twin Portraits.

A rising artist SO Gilbert Lawson was
called, but only by a small circle OF his
especial friends. Otherwise lie was ell
trely unknown fame. But he was
hopeful, Once he saw an eagle leave its
nest, and soar up high towards the sun,
while its unfeathered young fluttered, but
remained behind unable to follow. He
felt that it was much the same with him
self-the struggles would Strengthen his
pinions, and he would in time be able to
ascend the great ladder OF fame. And so
he toiled increasingly.
For some months he had been engaged
upon portrait. He had found his mod
el in young girl, perhaps twelve years
of age. He had first seen her in the
streets, and she was beggar, or the next
thing to it--she was a street singer.
When her voice lirst fell upon his ears il
thrilled him, for it was wildly beautiful
He knew that voice trembed He saw
her hand as it was extended to receive the
pitifu coin dropped into it, and he OBJ.
served that this trembled also, and that it
was very tiny and delicate. Then he
looked upon her face.
Her eyes were of heavenly blue, but
wore a sad expression and were down.
cast. Her golden hair felIin tangled mas.
ses over her shoalders---ihdeed. she awas
beautiful. although no one but tleyoung
and enthusiastic painter had AS yet espe-
cially noticed that beauty. When he ex.
planned to her his wish, her face became
radiant with pleasure. which lent it an adj
@-Tnr picture was completed ana the ar
tist sat gazing on it, He could scarcely
decide which he loved best-the original
or the semblance. But, dropping q cur
tain before his work, he arose, and walk
ed to the window. gazing into the street.
A sigh escaped him, and SO absorbed
were his thoughts that he did not observe
the entrance of second party until a
hand was placed on his shoulder, and
voice said, Gilbert, l have called to see
your work, as promised you"
The artist blushed and even trembled,
and as he lifted the covering remarked,
d" Mr. Byrd, my fate depends upon few
words you will speak now. | have
thrown my whole soul into this picture,
and l am every thing or nothing You
are an old painter-speak candidly-tell
me just what you think"
Itwas some moments before the young
man raised his eyes, and then only when
attracted by the long continued silence
Of his friend When he did so he saw
that Mr. Byrd pale as death, had sunk'in-
to chair and thathe trembled violently.
He sprung to his side with cup of wa
ter and when the old man had partially
recovered, he asked, What, in the name
of heaven, is the matter with you, my
friend ?"
Where is your model--who is your
model" gasped Byrd.
All was explained, and then the old
man continued:
take your painting; come with me
to my house,
Gilbert followed his old friend, and he
entered superb mansion in due time, and
was then taken diaect to the studio. His
own picture was placed beside another
and it was the young mans turn to start
in surprise, for here were to portraits ex-
actly alike with the exception ofthe dress
, Mr. Byrd now said, Z" Be seated, Gil.
bert, and l will tell you a secret which
has never been breathed to mortal man
before. Twenty years agol painted the
likeness Of my only daughter, and th'
picture you see before you, She was tbeI
ten years OF age; she is now thirty, ant
still with me-" r&& sE4
May not this be her child this mod
el of minei"
Listen At the age Of nineteen my
daughter did as many a good girl ha'
done before her--she. married, withou
NV knowledge, one who WAS to me an en-
the granger and nearly SO to her. That
husband proved to be a william, for in tive
wears after, he forsook her More than
this-he took with him little daughter
by the name at Oracle The blow near
Ilv killed the mother and even time ha:
never healed the wound. have made
every effort to trace out the man, aud re
cover our darling, but in vain. | gained
such information, however, that ] wa
satisfied he had died miserably in Il dis
tant te wn, and we had given little Graci
up as forever lost. Now you can accoun
for nv agitation when FIRST saw you
painting, can you not?' ...r.
, 4" can divine your thoughts
! What is the name OF your model"'
a only know her as Katie, the street
singer" a
You know where she can be found ?
"Yes''-
Let us go for her at once"
In two hours after, the little begga
entered the splendid saloon Of the Byr'
mansiod She was bewildored, for sh
had never gazed upon so much eleganc
before except az she had seen it fron
the streets throa h the closely curtsins'
windows. Her confidence was soon re
stored, howevsr, ,by tie kind treatmen