The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-10-10

justify himself. With the palette in one
hand and brush in the other, he drop
ped his head upon his breast, and
awaited in silence thepunishment which
he was convinced he had rashly pro-
voked.
For several minutes the most pro-
found silence pervaded the company
for, if Sebastian stood petri6ed with
fear before them, because he was taken
in the very act, 30 we're also the maestro.
Murillo beckoned to the young men,
who could scarcely restrain the outbursts
of their admiration, to be silent, ad.
vanced towards Sebastian, concealing
his emotions beneath a stern, cold gaze,
cast hi, eyes first upon his trembling
slave and then upon the beautiful head
of the Madonna, and asked him
"Who is your master, Sebastianw
4" You, senor," replied the boy, in an
almost inaudible tone.
Your master of painting, I mean,
Sebastian"
"None other than yourself senor,"
said the terrified boy.
" ] have never given you any in
struction," said Murillo, amazed.
" You have instructed others in my
resence, senior, and L could not avoid
earning" replied the boy, who began
to take courage at the kind and gentle
voice of his master,
" And you not only heard my in
structions, by Saint James of Compos-
tella! but you have profted by them"
rejoined the great painter, whose admir-
alton betrayed itself against his incli-
nations, Gentlemen" said he, ad-
dressing himself to his pupils, what
shall be done with this boy; does he
merit punishment"
At the word punishment Sebastian al.
most lost his consciousness; he raised
his eyes timidly and imploringly to-
wards his master.
" No punishment, senor" exclaimed
the young men, simultaneously, " but a
rewardW
"How shall he be rewarded" de-
manded Murillo.
Sebastian began once more to breathe.
" With at leastte ten ducatsW said Men
dez.
ooh, fifteen would not be too much,"
said Fernandez.
" Give him new suit for the fete of
the blessed Virgin" said Gonzales.
"Speak, Sebastian" said Murillo,
looking at his slave, whose countenance
manifested no signs of Joy at the pro-
posed rewards; speak, my good boy,
do none of these good things accord with
your tastes? | am 80 delighted with
these people of your genius, these bold
outlines, this exquisite coloring, in fine,
with your beautiful Modonna, that I
will grant you whatever you may desire
anything. Speak; make known your
wishes. lswear it in the presence of
these gentlemen, By the ghost of my
departed father, whatsoever you ask of
me, in my power to bestow, that shall
you receivep
d" All! my master, if | only dared"
Sebastian fell upon his knees before
his master, seized his hands and anyone
might have seen by his half-opened lips,
might have read in his large, dark eyes,
burning with expression, one consuming
thought which his timidity alone pre-
vented him from disclosing.
Why do you not ask for gold"
whispered Mendez.
" Ask for a suit of fine clothes" sug-
gested another.
" Beg to be admitted among thenum
ber of his pupils" added third.
A gleam of JOY frightened the eye Of
the trembling boy at these words, but he
shook his head and looked mournfully
at the floor.
"Come, come, Sebastian" said Mu-
rillo, while he smiled at what he sup
posed to be the indecision of the youth,
somethingw
At these words an exclamation burst
from the lips of Sebastian; he raised his
eyes, suffused with tears, imploringly to
his master, and said, with faltering
voice:
Forgive me, senior; but oh! grant
me the freedom of my father"
"YOur own freedom and his also, my
good boyW cried Murillo, who could no
longer restrain his deep emotion, but
caught Sebastian in his arms and en-
braced him. From this day forward
you shall be my pupil. Happy man
that | am! have accomplished more
than the making of pictures. | have
created painter"
Murillo kept his word, and Sebastian
Gomez, more generally known under the
name of Murillo's creole" soon rose
to eminence in his profession, and sub
sequently became one of the greatest
painters that Spain ever produced.