American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-05-06
THE TWIN PORTRAITS.


THE TWIN PORTRAITS.
A rising artist! So Gilbert Lawson
was called, but only by a small circle OF
his especial friends. Otherwise he was
entirely unknown to fame. But he was
hopeful. Once he saw an eagle leave
its nest, and soar up high towards the
sun, while its unfeathered young flut-
tered, but remained behind unable to
follow. He felt that it was much the
same with himseH-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 en-
gagged upon portrait. He had found
his model in young girl, perhaps
twelve years of age. He had first seen
her in the streets, and she was beg
gar, or the next thing to it.-she was a
street-singer. When her voice first fell
upon his ears it thrilled him, for it was
wildly beautiful. He knew that voice
trembled. He saw her hand as it was
extended to receive the pitiful coin
dropped into 1t, and he observed 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 sad expression and were down.
cast Her golden hair fell in tangled
masses over her shoulders-indeed, she
was beautiful, although no one but the
young and enthusiastic painter had as
yet especially noticed that beauty.
When he explained to her his wish, her
face became radiant with pleasure,
which lent it an additional charm.
The picture was completed and the
artist sat gazing on it. He could scarce
" decide which he loved the best-the
original or the semblance. But, drop
ping curtain before his work, he arose,
and walked 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 a second
party until hand was placed on his
shoulder, and voice said, Gilbert, 1
have called to see your work las prom
ised you"
The artist blnshed and even trembled,
and as he lifted the covering remarked,
Mr.. Byrd, my fate depends upon a
few words you win speak now. I have
thrown my whole soul into this picture,
and am every thing or nothing. You
are an old painter-speak candidly-
tell me just what you think"
It was some moments before the
young man raised his eyes, and then
only when attracted by the long-contin-
ued silence of his friend. When he did
70 he saw that Mr.. Byrd was pale as
death, had sunk into chair and that
he trembled violently. He sprung to his
side with 3 cup of water, and when the
old man had partially recovered, he
asked, "What, in the name of heaven,
i the matter with you, my friendp''
Where is your model-who is your
model9' 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 a superb mansion in due
time, and was then taken direct to the
studio. His own picture was placed
beside another, and it was the young
mans turn to start in surprise, for here
were two portraits exactly alike with
the exception of the dress.
Mr.. Byrd now said, "Be seated, Gil
bert, and will tell you a secret which
has never been breathed to mortal man
before. Twenty years ago I painted the
likeness of my only daughter, and the
picture you see before you. She was
then ten years of age; she is now thirty,
, and still with me.''
"May not this be her child-this
model of mine?''
s "Listen. At the age of nineteen nv
daughter did as many a good girl has
done before her-she married, without
my knowledge, one who was to me an
entire stranger and nearly SO to her
That husband proved to be villain, for
in two years after, he forsook her.
More than this-he took with him a lit
tie daughter by the name of Oracle.
The blow nearly killed the mother and
even time has never healed the wound.
have made every effort to trace out
the man, and recover our darling, but
In vain. gained such information.
however, that 1 was satisfied he had
died miserably in q distant town, and
we have given little Oracle up as forever
lost. Now you can account for my agi-
tation when first saw your painting.
can you notP''
81 can divine your thoughts
"What is the name of your model pu
81 only know her as Katie, the street.
dnger.'
"You know where she can be found PSI
eyes,
"Let us go for her at once.n
In two hours after, the little beppar
entered the splendid saloon of the Byrd