The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-03

csque enyirons OF the French CAPT
tai: and he always took his sketch
book with him, thus making even
his pleasure ~subservient To his stu
dies. Two prizes obtained, for a
drawing and a picture. secured foI
him the patronage Of the academy.
at whose expense he was sent to
Italy. to pursue his studies ~ the
famous galleries Of Rome and Flor
cncc. He returned with a mind
| imbued with the beauty and males
| tv Of the works OF those great mas
| tiers. whose glory viii outlIye the
| canvas and marble which achieved
| it. determined to win for himself a
niche in the temple Of Fame. or
| perish in his laborous efforts 10 Oh
tain it. At this time he was in his
twentv-second year. \ vigorous
constitution was his heritage: and
Lis rounded cheek glowed with the
warm color Of health. His strictly
classical features were enhanced BY
the luXuriance Of his hair. which
he wore flowing in his native curlS
while his full beard and mou>tache
relieved his face from the charge OF
eifeminacy.
Earnest was vet engaged in the
contemplation Of the unfinished
work-or rather Of dreaming of the
bright original-when a light tap
was heard at his door. He opened
it eagerly, and his poor studio was
suddenly Illuminated, as it were.
by the radiant apparition Of Rose'd
Amour. She was dressed with a
charming simplicity, which well
became a sylph like form. that re-
quired no adventurous aid from
art.
"Good morning, Monster La
vale" said the beautiful actress,
%cheerfully, as she dropped graceful
ly into the tauteuH prepared for
her reception. You find me in
the best possible humor to-day,
thanks to this bright morning sun,
and to the success of last night.
Non Die"! so many bouquets. YOU
can't think. Really, the life Of an
0Jtiste begins to be amusing. Don't
you find 1t so, as a painter"
81 confess to YOU, mademoiselle.I
have my moments of despondency."
with your fine talent. Think
better of yourself. hope, at least,
that | have not been so unlucky as
to surprise you in one of those IN
opportune moments"
"Ah, mademoiselle." said the
painter, ''if it were so. one of YOUR
smiles would dispel the cloud in a
moment
"Really," replied the actress, gal
ly. care you quite sure there is II 10
flatteryin the remark? lam aware
that tlattery is an essential part of
an artists profession"
"Not Il true artists" replied
Earnest. The aim and end all
art is truth; and he who forgets it
is untrue to his high mission"
True" said the lady. well,
then, flutes r0tre p0ssiJ1e-as Ma
poleon said to his friend David
for | am anxious that this portrait
shall be a chct-d @urre. | design
1t for a present.
with such subject before me-"
replied the painter, Il could not
labor more conscientious, if the
picture were designed for myself"
The sitting passed very rapidly,
for the artist; and he was surprised
when the lady, after consulting her
watch, rose hastily and exclaimed,
That odious rehearsal !, | must
leave you-but YOU ought to be
satisfied, for i have given YOU two
hours OF my valuable time. Adieu,
then, until tomorrow"
With a smile that seemed natu-
raj to her, the beautiful Girl van
ished, taking with her half the
sunshine of the room.
The Painter continued his labor
of love. Indeed, so absorbed was
he in his employment, that he did
not notice the entrance of a visitor.
until he felt a light tap on his shout
der, accompanied by the words
Bravo, mon cher! You are
getting on famously. That's Rose
herself-as radiant as she appears
on the stage, when the focus of a
lorgnette had excluded all the stu
pid ennHyantes figures that sur
round her"
The speaker was Sir Frederic
Stanley, an English barone,. now
some months in Paris, where he had
plunged into all the gayeties of the
season. He was a handsome man.
Of middle age. whose features bore
the impress Of dissipation.
"1ou know the original, them"
asked the painter, somewhat cold