The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-12-10

pression-'s though he feared the operation
might be dangerous-and this is the story
Il occasionally employed little black
eyed, black-haired, and dark skinned Italian
MS formatore in plaster work, who had re-
lated to me short time before that himself
and comrade image vender were doing
Switzerland by hawking their images Ore
day Swiss gentleman asked him if be could
make bis likeness in plaster. oh, YES.
! signor; L am sculptorI So Matteo Mattel
such was the name of the pref .nder-got
some plaster, laid the big Swis. gentleman
on mis- back, stuck a quill in each nostriI for
him to breathe through, and requested him
to close his eyes Then 'Mst,' as called
him, poured the soft plaster all over his face
and forehead; then he paused for reflection;
as the plaster was beginning TO set he be-
came frightened,a as he had never before under
taken such job. and had neglected TO pre-
pare The face properly. especially the gentle
mans huge beard, mus acne, and hair about
the tempt and forehead, through which, of
curse, the plaster had run and become
solid. Mat made an excuse to 60 outside
the docr-then,' said he, Il run like
Il saw Mr.. Lincoln's eyes twinkle with
mirth
allow did he get it Off said he.
".
able waiting for the scuttore, he had to break
1t of, and cut and pull out all the hair
which the tenacious plaster touched. the
best way he could Mat said he took
special pains to avoid that particular part of
Switzerland after that artistic expedition
But his companion, who somewhat re-
sembled him, not knowing anything of his
partners performance, was soon after over
hauled by the gentleman and nearly
cudgled to death.
upon hearing this, the tears actually
trickl, down Mr.. Lincoln's brouzed cheeks.
snd he was at once in the best of humors.
de sat naturally in the chair when made
the cast, and saw every move l made in the
nnirror opposite. as / put the plaster ON
without interference with his eyesight or his
free breathing through the nostrils. 1t was
about an hour before the mold was ready To
to be removed, and being all in one piece.
with both ears perfectly taken, it clung
pretty hard, as the cheek bones were higher
than the jaws at the lobe of the ear. He
bent his head low and took hold of the mold
and gradually worked it off without break
ing or injury; it hurt little, as few hairs
of the tender temples pulled out with the
plaster and made his eyes water; but the re-
membrance of the poor Swiss gentleman
evidently kept him in good mood"
"The last sitting was given Thursday
morning, and | noticed that Mr.. Lincoln
was in something of hurry. | had fin
lshed the head, but desired to represent his
breast and brawny shoulders as nature
presented themi so he stripped of his coat,
waistcoat, shirt, cravat and collar. threw
them on chair, pulled his undershirts
down short distance, tying the sleeves
behind him, and stood up without muir
muir for an hour or so. then said that /
was DONE and was thousand times OBLIGED
to him for his promptness and patience and
offered to assist him to redress, but he said:
"No, L can do it better alone" / kent at
my work without looking toward him, wish
ing to catch the form as accurately as possi-
BILE while it was fresh in my memory. Mr..
Lincoln left hurriedly, saying he had an
engagement, and with cordial .Good. .bvl
L will see you again soon, passed out. A
few moments later L recognized his steps
rapidly returning. Tho door opened. ard
in he came, exclaiming: Hello, Mr.. VolkI
got down on the sidewalk and found
had forgotten to put on my undershirt and
thought 1t wouldn do to 90 through the
street this way Sure enough there were
the sleeves Of that garment dangling be-
low the skirts of his broadcloth frock coat.
went at once to his assistance, and helped
to undress and redress him all right. and
out lac wens, with a hearty laugh at the
of the thing"