The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1879-12-26
THE CHRIST-CHILD,


standing and lying ABOUT on the steps of
the Capuchin church, outside the walls
of Seville. Their poverty, rags and dirt
being Spanish, and seyenteeth century
Spanish at that. were full of certain
coarse picturesq ueness, partiularly Just
now when the whole CT Wd were in q
lively discussion that babe fair for 8
quarrel.
Il wouldn't say prayer to st. An.
thOny-no, not if Father Peret put me
on bread and water for life" said Juana,
a strong, brszen-fsced young woman,
bsgyar by profession, as she arranged
with motherly pride q rsg-the whole
costume of the handsome child she car.
ried.
ooh. poor Juana!" exclaimed,
tauntingly, another of the women
that's because Senior Murillo couldn't
make model out of your homely brat
there. See my baby; there's a Christ
tie dark sleeping head that lay on her
breast.
Wretch" screamed Juaua, threat
eningly. The softer voice of lind, q
gypsy mother, struck in, as she held her
sturdy, brown, naked boy proudly in
view. "My Nadar stands the best
chance. When Senior Murillo comes
out, see il he don't ask for my beauty.
Look. what great eyes, and what great
legs!"
The Others turned on her with q torrent
of abuse, and the general disturbance
was fast coming to blows, when Father
Perez stepped out of the church.
mo quarreling, women, here at the
very door of the holy church. Away,
every one of you"
We're waiting for Senior Murillo.
He wants a model for ST. Anthony's
CnrisL-child," exclaimed q shrilI chorus.
Just then the lesthern curtain at the
door was raised, and Murillo appeared,
passing out for the day, from his work on
the decorations, for the afternoon
shadows were falling. His friend, Don
Claudio, followed him close. The wemen
crowded up, each coaxing for her own
baby, and spending much abuse on all
the other babies. Murillo stood quiet
until the first storm of attack was over;
then, after scanning the gypsy child,
said mo, no, don't torment me. Your
children won't do. Here's money
C4Ich." And throwing a handful Of
small coin TO change the subject of
dispute, he: walked off toward the town
with Don Claudio.
Is the Sc. Anthony still unfnish-
ed?" asked Claudio.
Yes, and likely to remain 30, though
have promised the picture to the
Capuchins. l can't find a cnild's face
that gives the least hint of what need,
and my own fancy utterly fails"
That gypsy boy would make lovely
model"
"Models! They are only for the
bAser part of the picture. The techni-
calities once past, given that we draw IN
erringly and put on colors at it is, we
have resemblance to life, and are paint
ers. II we ask more-a finer, subtler
sense In the work, an expression such a.
no model can hold for an instant, such,
perhaps, as We never see, but only feel a.
the outcome of a sentiment all that
must spring from he painters heart, hi.
inner-self, and that gained, we are
artists."
81 thinks it's enough to paint things
as they stand" laughed Claudio.
Murillo took off his hat, and his dark
face, with the pale forehead, too high
for symmetry, the short cleft chin and
ull MOBILE mouth, hardly shaded by q
canty mustache, was lifted full against
the afternoon sunshine. He half shut
those quiet observsnt eyes, not dazzled
by the light, but if to see clearer, and
pluck out some secret from the heart OF
its shining. He said, in dreary voice
"In answer to st. Anthony's agony OF
prayer, Christ appeared as q beautiful
infant. Pity for the poor mean creature
70 moved the Divine heart that, leaving
celestial glory, He stopped again to the
form which had once carried the burden
Of human sorrow safely TO the Creator
feet. What compassion, what dignity
what love, and yet what sweet and ten
der infancy, should be in that glorious
little facet Oh, Claudio, cannot grasI
the spirit of such gracious act. VIVA
is not in my heart can never put on
canvas. The Capuchins must give NJ
their st. Anthony"
What Q fanciful fellow you are, Il
be sure, tor meDtiDg yourself with over
strained scruplesp Then Claudio added
with q searching yet covert glance
GAS Dora Beatriz says, you are NOR
than the soul of art; you are its yer!
conscience"
"Did she say thatf" asked Murillo
flushing eagerly.
Don Claudio's expression was not
pleasant one, as he oberved the boyisl
frankness with which Murillo's feeling
came TO the surface. This gentlema
was of long and noble lineage, and ha
large property, which was much en-
numbered by sundry debts, and withs
he was counted the handsomest fellow i
Seville; 80 both itness and necessit
made him an urgent sutton for Don
Beatriz-the lovliest and richest lady i
a country proud of its fine womer
Some little words and looks, surprise
by watchful jealousy, had Iately begu
70 turn Claudio from being MuriIlo
TREND into something very like his dea
est foe.
$50 you're not too pious and whin
ical picture maker TO care for Il
opinion of one of these fair fools-ol
pretty SevilIiansT said Claudio, With
sneer, yet with evident interest in Il