The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-07-13
"a MYSTERIOUS coMM1ss1oN.n

A stranger sight could not be round,
From side to side the province round.
Palmer Cor, in 81. Nicholas.
"A MYSTERIOUS COMMISSION.
1t was almost dusk, on a wintry after
noon, when 1 was sitting in my studio
wondering if. after all, 1 had not been a
fool in believing l was ever destined to
make a living as an artist. My dear old
father-a small manufacturer of silks at
spared all that was possible
from his savings to give me an art edu-
cation in Paris. Ihad entered myself IS
n pupil at the Academic and had been a
most diligent student at the life classes.
There the rapidity with which 1 worked,
and the general correctness of drawing,
and truth of color in my sketches, earned
for me much praise. When nv funds
were almost eXhausted-and 1 knew that
except under the most urgent necessity
l must not ask for more from home-I
sought to fill my pockets by selling pict-
ures to the minor dealers. They gave
me but little encouragement; all that the
most favorable was willing to do was to
put a picture in his window and try to
dispose Of tin which case 1 was to re-
ceive three-fourths of the purchase
money. Day after day I called to in
quire 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 l was meditating on my gloomy
prospects / heard a low knock at the
door. 1 rose and opened it. The gen
tleman who stood outside was tall and
thin and dressed in black OF very dark
clothes-in the dim light l could not
tell which.
IN. Paul GodinP' he inquired.
eyes, monsieur. Will you not do me
the favor to enter?"
He bowed and passed in.
81 must apologize for asking you into
a dark room," / said, as moved toward
the table on which stood a lamp. 81
had almost fallen asleep in the twi-
light
"Pray do not light the lamp; my eyes
are weak, and what I have to say to you
/ can say better as we are."
My curiosity was thoroughly aroused.
My visitor vas evidently a gentleman;
his manner and accent proclaimed that.
In his voice there was a sadness which
at once evoked sympathy.
Gas you. will, monsieur. To whom
have l the honor of s~peaking?"
81 do not wish to give my name; Lam
here on business that can be transacted
without disclosing it. I must askyou to
excuse the customary formality."
1 bowed and pointed to a chair. MY
visitor took it, paused a moment as if
thinking how he should begin, then
spoke quickly, almost abruptly, as if he
was anxious to lose as little time as pos
sible:
IN. Godin, 1 have been told by some
one who knows you well-no matter who
that you can paint from life with great
quickness and accuracy. want a fig
ure painted tonight"
Tonight" I exclaimed.
Eyes, by ~candlelight, and it must be
done before daylight tomorrow morn
ing; that is, in the rough; you can finish
it here afterward. The subject is a
strange one, and the conditions on which
1 shall give the commissions are: that
you submit to be taken to and brought
from my house blindfolded: that you
shall not ask any questions: that you
shall e tell any n what you may
see 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 sign
OF recognition. 1 know that these are
startling conditions, but 1 am willing to
pay literally. I will pay you one thou
sand francs now and another thousand
when send for the finished picture. Do
you accept"
Fof the moment l was stunned. Here
was what seemed to be a fortune placed
suddenly within my grasp. The condi-
lions were certainly "startling," but 1
was young, l had no fear and the mys-
terry piqued me. 1t seemed as if I 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.
u some such tragedy was in store for me
was poorenough and desperate enough
to take all the chances.
"Well," said he somewhat impatient
ly, do you accept?"
Yes, monsieur"
"Good! Here are one thousand
francs"
81 will give you a receipt"
"lt is not necessary. Now gather
your materials and select the largest can
Vi you have here"
l got together what was needed.
81 am ready, monsieur"
"Then you must allow me to blind
fold you. Give me your handkerchief.
There! Does that hurt your"
mo"
My hat was fortunately soft one. He
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, I trust to your
honor as a gentlemanto fulfill all the con
ditions 1 imposed"
1t was with no little difficulty that
managed to descend the stairs with nv
load. At the landings the stranger tool
hold of an elbow and gently guided me.
As we passed into the street my COM
panion spoke in q whisper to some one
who was evidently waiting for him.
I was then put into a carriage and
driven rapidly away, but so many turns
were made that l could not determine in
what direction we were going. Some
one was sitting by my side. Ipresumed
it was my visitor, but he did not seem
inclined to speak, and 1 had plenty to
occupy my thoughts. Where was
being taken, and for what purpose9 The
more / pondered the more uneasy 1 be-
came. My only comfort lay in the GER
tainty that 1 had 3 thousand francs in
my pocket.