The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-07-14
"a MYSTERIOUS COMMISSION. ,,


Palmer Coz, in s. Niehosas.
"a MYSTERIOUS. CORNERSTONE
Itwas almost dusk, on awintry after
noon. when Twas sitting in my studio
wondering if, after all, had not been {
fool in believing l was, ever destined e
make living Is. an artist. My dear old
father-a small manufacturer of silks al
Lyons-had spared all that was possible
from ms savings to give me an art edu,
cation in Paris. j had entered myself as
pupil at the Academic and had been a
most diiigent student ut the life classes
There the rapidity with which I worked,
and the general correctness of drawing,
and truth of color in my sketches, earned
Tor me much praise. When nv funds
were almost eXhausted-andI knew that
except under the most urgent necessity
must notask for more from. home-I
sought TO nil my pockets by selling pict-
ures to the minor dealers. They gave
me but little encouragement;a all that the
most favorable was willing TO do was to
put picture in mis- window and try to
dispose of tin which case was to re-
ceive sthree-founths of the purchase
money Day after day | called to in
quHe If a keen discerner of unrecognized
genius had found out the merit of my
work The same statement was ALWAYS
made to me-''a gentleman had looked
att and promised to call AGAIN. But the
mysterious promisers never did return
While was meditating on my gloomy
prospects | heard n low knock at the
door. l rose and opened it. The gen
tleman who stood outside was tall and
thin and dressed in black or very dark
clothes-in the dim light L could not
tell which
m. Raul Godin?'' he inquired
Yes, monsieur. VIII you not do me
the favor to enter?h
He bowed and passed in. ~ -
i must apologize for asking YOU into
dark room, - said, as moved toward
ihe table on which stood lamp al
had almost fallen asleep in the twi-
light
Pray do not light the lamps my eyes
are weak, and what haveto say TO YOU
can say better as we are"
Ny curiosity was thoroughly aroused.
My visitor was evidently gentleman;
his manner and accent proclaimed that
In his voice there was sadness which
at once evoked sympathy.
''As YOU will, monsieur. To whom
hare the honor of speaking?''
Il do not wish TO give my name; am
here on business that can be transacted
without disclosing it. must ask YOU to
excuse the customary formality.n
bowed and pointed to chair. nv
visitor took u. pauseda moment as if
thinking how he should begin, then
spoke quickly. ostelbruptly, as if he
was anxious TO lose as little time as pos
sibIe:
MI Colin, have beenstoid By some
one who knows YOU well-no matter who
that You can paint from life with great
quickness and accuracy. want a flo
urc painted tonight
Tonight l exclaimed.
Yes, by candlelight. and it must be
on4Steiore daylight. tomorrow MORN
ing; 1Hsst Is IN the rough; You can finish
At mere ;uterwarl. The subject is
strange one, and the conditions ON which
l shall give the commissions are: that
you submit to be taken to and brought
from my house blindfolded: that YOU
SNAIL not ask any questions; that YOU
snail never tell amy one what YOU may
sec there; that You shall never show any
one the picture you paint or reveal its
subject; and that if you should ever meet
me after tonight you shall make no a df,a
OF recognition l know that these are |
startling conditions, but / am willing to
pay literally | will pay you one thou
sand francs now and another thousand |
when ! sepdf6rtt fms he'd picture Do /
you accept?r 4
For thefmqment was stunned. Here
was whstseenedto be q fortune placed 1
sudueniy withinmy grasp. The condi-~
lions were certainly startling but 7 |
was young, | had no fear and the mys- |
,ery pIqued me. 1t seemed as if / had |
suddenly been transported back. to the !
days of the Tour de Nesle, to which /
Marguerite de Valois summoned her
lovers, who arrived blindfolded and were
borne away dead by the silent waters. |
II some such tragedy was in store FOR nae |
was poorenough and desperate enough
to take alfthe cliances
"Wen, ''said Re somewhat impatient-
Iy, do Won accept9
Yes, nlonsieur"
GOOD Il Hero are one thousand
francsn
u viii give you areceipt."
cit is not necessary Now gather
your materials and select the largest can
vas you have here
got together what was needed.
u am ready, monsieur"
ssThen you must allow me to blind |
fold you. Give me your handkerchief.
Thcrel Does that hurt your"
NO" 49, e - 1
My hat was fortunately a soft one. BE |
turned the.brim down so as to- conceal
the fact that my eyes were covered.
..Now follow me to the carriage, and
remember, M.@Godin, Il trust to Your I
honor as gentleman to fulfill all the con-
ditions l imposed"
1t was with. nc little difficulty that /
malfaeesi 90 descend the stairs with nv
load At the landings the stranger took
hold of an elbow and gently guided me-
AS we passed into the street, my COM
papion spoke in whisper to some one
who was evidently waiting for him.
| was then put into a carriage and
driven rapidly away. but so many turns
were made that could not determine in
what direction we were going Some
one was sitting by my side. Ipresumed
1t was my visitor, but he did nos seem
inclined TO speak, and had plenty to
occupy my thoughts. Where was l
being taken, and for what purposep The
more l pendered the more uneasy be-
came. My only comfort lay in the GER
tAinty that | had thousand francs in
my pocket Il