Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1876-07-07


in relief. subjects from the Old Testament
and then came figures, half as natural u
nature herself, copied from the antlquar
es with great perfection. So long as tn,
auctioneers were selling the commo.
articles of his trade, the silversmith re
mained calm and quiet in the rear part Of
the shop, but when he heard the names
of his masterpieces lnention~d-as soon a.
he heard the auctioneers were praisinp. in
their low style, the merit and uOau,y VI
thoee -vorl.s which luu rendered his reD.
uta'ion SO great and so general. he was nc
longer able to preserve his calm appear
ance. lie started up hastily, as if under
the influence of some invisible power,
and began to walk around the differen,
articles which were about to be sold, JUS,
as mother would walk about the cradle
of her sick child.
Six small statues, cried the auctiuneer,
from antiquity
"A thousand ducats, cried one.
'One thousand and fifty said another.
One thousand one hundred said the
first.
No one bid any higher, and the articles
were declared his.
The old silversmith scarcely breathed.
His face Was almost as white as his locks,
and convulsive shudder ran through his
limbs. He continued. however, to stand
by the side Of the public officer WHO was
recording the purchases. When all was
sold the old man cast his ewes
about him with an Inexpressibl. look OF
griet. The most terrible moment was ap
proaching. The highest bidder was going
before long tV carry away all
the wealth which the silversmlth had
grown up-his priced productions, which
he had looked up to as q household gods
and which were, SO to speak, q part Of
existence.
Let the highest bidder on the las
twenty-three articles step forward sale
the register. -
There is only one bidder cried til,
mechanic, whose conversation with til,
noble stranger we have already men
toned.
Let him come forward, then, pay, ant
give his name, said the register.
At this handsome young man, who
might be twenty-six or twenty seven, ap
preached. He was surerbly dressed in
the French style, with the exception of d
OPauisi. ~iOaA. clcsa..i. "a uaino.,.v,a :, i.L
embroidery and silk, which lay gracefully
upon his shoulders. Around his neck he
wore 4 magnificent chain OF gold to which
was appended a medal of the same metal
which bore head Of the Emperor Maxi
milan. His hat was slouched ov,r his
eyes, and his hair, which was long, rested
upon his shoulders.
This is the price OF what have pur
chased said the young man, tremblingly.
Have the goodness to compare the sc-
cunt with yours
The officer compared 1t, and finding it
81. correct, said to the young noblemas !:
Your name, sir. since must record 1t
to the registersf'
Meantime the old silversmith, mute
and silent, was sitting in . corner, wait.
ing with the anxiety of despair for the
purchaser TO give the order for the re-
moval of the precious relics.
'Wrte,' said the young man. hesitating
Write Albert-Durer.'
At the sound of this name the silver.
smith started up as ii he was not more
Than fifteen, and in less than q second he
was in the arms of his sou.
'Albert!' he cried. my dear Albert Is
1t really you that see again? Oh! come
to my embrace again-come, my dear son!
Indeed, you have not forgotten your old
father? Can 1t he that you no longer en-
tertain any hard feelings toward him?
Toward you, my father?' cried the
young man, falling, in tears, upon his
knees. 1t is who must beg pardon Of
you for disobedieDce.'
'Ah! said the old man, raising his son.
Could I not forgive fault which re.
stores me to life? Albert, pardon you
My father said the young man /.
syoung persons are often deceived with
regard to the choice of the calling which
they are destined to follow; aud to be re-
spected, the talent for any particular 0cca-
sion needs . trial. Your rigor was based
upon q thought replete with prudence
upon that old maxim, BE rather . good
artlsan than an ordinary artist You
were right, my father; and rs for myself.
perhaps I was not altogether wrong in
aching as did"
Yes, you have acted right. Albert!
exclaimed q voice from the midst Of the
crowd.
1t was from the celebrated Hupse Mar
tin. who had initiated Arthur, when q
child, In the first rudiments of painting
aud who bad encouraged him TO preserve
boldly in that profession.
Thank heaven for the disobedience Of
your son, said Hupse Martin, turning to
Joseph Dlrer; for this at this moment,
while am speaking, Albert possesses the
secrets of the arts, Ard in all he Surpasse
the most celebrated artists in Germany.
He is not only y painter Of the first -clAss,
but he IL also most ingenious engravcr
and architect, nd one Of the most dis
|tinguished engineers in Europe. The
Emperor Maximilisn has appointed him
|his first painter, and he employs sher'
oxtely his pencil and his burin. The re-
public of Venice has intrusted to him the
OF . fortress, the King Of
France, Louis the Twelfth, is trying to
Induce him TO come to France to improve
the monuments Vt that city. What do
YOU say to that. Master Joseph.
Il say exclaimed the silversmlths % be
embraced his son again, 4 cay that great