The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-10-09
MISCELLANY.
The Two Portraits.

Beautiful beautiful % exclaimed Ef
nest Lavelle, as, throwing himself back
in his chair, he contemplated, with eyes
half shut, a lovely eonntenance that smi-
led on him from canvas, to which he
had just added few hesitating touches.
1t was but sketeh-little more than
outline and dead coloring-and a misty
haze seemed spread over the face, so that
it seemed vision-like and intangible. The
young painters exclamation was not
addressed to his workmanship-he was
not even looking at that faint image but
through its medium, was gazing on Inca
ments as rare and fascinating rs ever
floated through a poets OF an artist S
dream. Deep, lustrous blue eyes, in
whose depths sincerity and feeling lay
crystalzed. features as regular as those
Of Grecian statue; a lip melting, ripe
and dewy. half concealing half-revealing,
line of pearls soft, brown hair, de-
scending in waves upon neck and shoul
ders of satin surface and Parian fairness.
Such we're some of the external traits of
loneliness belonging to
"A creature not too bright and good
For human natures daily food"
VINO tlud compfctcfy actuaIfzed the ideal
of the young Partisan artist, into whose
studio we have introduced our readers.
The fair original, whose portrait is be-
fore us, was Rose glamour, beautiful
actress of one of the metropolitan thea
tres, who had just made her debut with
distinguished success. There was quite a
romance in her history. OF unknown pa.
rents, she had commenced her career,
like the celebrated Rachel, as street
singer, and was looking forward to no
more brilliant future, when her beauty,
genius, aud purity Of character, attracted
the attention of Il distinguished newspa.
per editor, by whose benevolent generos-
ity she was enabled to prepare herself
for the stage, by two or three years of
assiduous study. The success of his pro
fege, more than repaid the kind patron
for his excrtions and expenditure.
A word of Ernest Lavalle, and it shall
suffice. He was the son of humble vine
dresser in one Of the agricultural depart
ments of France His talent for drawing
early manifested, attracted the notice of
his parish priest, whose earnest represen
tation induced his father to send the boy
to Paris, and give him the advantages af
forded nv students of art In the great
city. Ernest allowed nGne of the attrac
tons by which he was surrounded, to di-
vert him from the assiduous pursuit of
his beloved art. His mornings were pass
ed in the gallery of the Louvre, his af-
ternoous in private study, and his even
inps at the academy where he drew from
casts and the living model The only re
taxation he permitted himself was an oc
casional excursion in the picturesque en-
irons of the French capital; and he al
wovs took his sketch book with him, thus
making even his pleasure snbser'ient to
studies Two prizes obtained for a draw
mo and a picture, secured for him the
natronaqe of the academy, at whose ex'
nense he was sent to Italy, &c pursue his
s,udies in the famous galleries OF Rome
and Florence. He returned with mind
imbued with the majesty and beauty of
the works of those great masters, whose
glory will outline the canvas and marble
which achieved it, determined to win for
himself a niche in the temple OF Fame,
or nerish in his laborious efforts to OBJ
tain It. At this time he was in his twen-
ty second year. A vigorous constitution
was his heritage; and his rounded cheek
olowed with the warm color of health.
His strictly classical features were en-
hanced by the luxuriance of his hair
which he wore flowing in its native curls,
while his full beard and moustache relief
we'd his flee from the charge of etfemin
acy.
Ernest was yet engaged in the contem-
nlotion Of the unfinished work--or rath
er of dreaming of the bright original
when light tap was heard at his door
He opened it eagerly, and his poor stu
do was suddenly illuminated, as 1t were,
by the radiant apparitlon OF Rose d A
mopr She was dressed with charming
which we'll became sylph
like form. that required no adventurous
aid from art ,,,l
Good morning. Monsieur Lavalle"
said the beautiful actress, cheeriuIiy, as
She dropped gracefully into the faHttael
preuared for her reception. lou iind
me in the best possible humor, to-day,
thanks TO this bright morning sun, and
to the success of last night. Mon Dieu !
so many bouquets you cant think !
Really. the life of an orttSfe begins to be
amusing. Don't you find 1T so, as
painter =