The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-09-26

Sebastian raised his eyes-a tall, fine
looking creole stood before him.
What brings you here, father?'
asked the boy, with evident concern.
"Only to keep you company, my
child"
That is unnecessary, father; return
to your bed. / will keep watch alone"
But the Zombif"
Sebastian smiled and replied:
"I am not afraid Of him, father"
But if he should take you from me,
my childf''
The boy raised his eyes towards the
large skylight in the vaulted ceiling,
through which the twinkling stars were
glimmering with peerless ray.
:" Place your trust there, father, and
return again to your bed. I will lay
myself down upon the carpet and seek
forgetfulness in Sleep"
But are you not afraid the Zombi
will come, Sebastian
"No, father; the belief in the Zombi
is only superstition of our country !;
and Father Eugenio has told you as well
as me that there are no such things as
supernatural beings"
Why did you tell the young gen.
tlemen of the studio, then, that it was
the Zombi who sketched those myster-
ious fgures?"
For my own amusement, father; l
enjoyed their astonishment."
Well, good night, my dear boy"
said Gomez, as he left the room.
Sebastian no sooner found himself
alone than he leaped about the room for
joy.
And now to my work." he cried !;
but stopping suddenly, he paused and
reflected on the morrow. twenty-five
lashes if l do not tell who has sketched
these figures; and double that number,
perhaps, if l confess myself the guilty
one. What shall l doP
Sebastian kneeled upon the carpet,
which served him at night for bed |;
but an irresistible drowsiness crept over
his senses in the middle of his prayer
and leaning against the marble wall of
the studio, he fell into a profound
slumber.
A faint dusky ray of the morning
light stole through one of the large oval
windows of the apartment, and fell
softly upon the easel of Mendez. The
sonorous clock of the old Cathedral of
Seville tolled the hour of three and
aroused Sebastian from his slumbers.
Any other child would have yielded to
the control of WEAKNESS and slept; but
Sebastian, who had only three hours for
himself-three hours of liberty, leaped
from his resting-place and advanced to-
ward half-open window to inhale the
fresh air of the morning.
up, up, Sebastian" )" said he to him
self; you have only three hours of
your own, improve them; and the re-
mainder belongs to your master"
By this time he had completely ban
ished his drowiness.
Terrified by the sensation his pictures
had created on the day preceding, his
first impulse on awakening was to eface
every line his pencil had traced; and
dipping his brush into oil, he advanced
| towards the Madonna, who, through the
gloom of the vast somber apartment,
looked more beautiful and lovely than
ever.
"Blot out those charming features
obliterate those heavenly -beaming eyes
No, neverl Rather will endure the
threatened punishment, rather will
undergo any torture than thus annihi
late this most beautiful conception oi
my imagination. The young artists
themselves had not the heart to efface
them, and shall 1 do it? No, never
That lip lives, breathes and speaks. i
l should erase that celestial countenance
I should feel as though 1 had caused the
life-blood of the ever blessed Madonns
to flow. No, rather will prosecute the
glorious task and complete it, let the
punishment be what it may"
No sooner had this thought entered
his mind than Sebastian seized the pa
lette of Mendez, prepared the various
colors, advanced towards the easel anC
resumed his fascinating undertaking
The sun rose higher and higher, and Sc
bastian continued to paint, occupied
alone with his charming Madonna
who began to receive additional life anc
and animation from his magic pencil
zone touch more here-and there /:
more delicate shade-then this mouth
oh, heavensl it opens-these eyes gaz,
on me with a celestial expression-thi
forehead, what purity! o adorabl,
virginY
Sebastian, lost in his raptures ant
boundless enthusiasm, forgot the hour
that were gliding swiftly away and hi
threatened punishment. The youthful
artist before his picture, saw nothing
beside the angelic face of the blessed
Mary, who seemed to smile on him will
mingled look of appreciation and love
Suddenly he awoke from his reverie
He heard slight noise as of person
advancing behind him, and turnin
quickly round, beheld all the pupils AM
his master at the head. He did no
dream for a moment of attempting t
Justify himself. With the palette in on
hand and brush in the other, he drop
ped his head upon his breast, an
awaited in silence the punishment whic
{ he was convinced he had rashly prt
voked.
For several minutes the most prt
found silence pervaded the company
for, if Sebastian stood petriied wit
fear before them, because he was take
) in the very act, so were also the maestro
: Murillo beckoned to the young mel
who could scarcely restrain the outburs
of their admiration, to be silent, az
vanced towards Sebastian, concealir
his emotions beneath stern, cold gaz
: cast his eyes first upon his tremblir
slave and then upon the beautiful hes
of the Madonna, and asked him
"Who is your master, SebastianF'
= You, senor," replied the boy, in s
+ almost inaudible tane.
) "Your master of painting, l mea
Sebastian"
u "None other than yourself, senior
5 said the terrified boy.
% az have never given you any
struction," said Murillo, amazed.
You have instructed others in n
l. presence, senior, and 1 could not avo
e, learning" replied the boy, who beg
a to take courage at the kind and gent
le voice of his master.
4 =" And you not only heard my
r structions, by Saint James of Compt
ID tellai but YOU have pro6ted by them