The National tribune., 1882-03-11

The auctioneer looked at him, hummed
contemptuously, and asked its price.
whatever you please; whatever it will
bring" was the anxious reply.
"Hem !n-with an unfavorable criticism
81 can promise you no more than three
thalers"
Poor Duhobret had spent the nights of
many months on that piece. But he was
starving and the pittance offered would buy
him bread. He nodded to the auctioneer,
and retired to a corner.
After many paintings and engravings
had been sold, Duhobret's was exhibited.
"Who bids? Three thalers! Who bids?"
| was the cry. The poor artist held his
breath; no response was heard. Suppose
it should not find purchaser! He dared
not look up; he thought everybody was
laughing at the folly of offering so worth
less piece at public sale. at is certainly
my best work." he murmured piteously to
himself. He ventured to glance at the
picture, as the auctioneer held it in favor
able light. There was certainly beauti
full freshness in the rich foliage, trans
parency in the water, freedom and life in
the animals! The steeple, the trees, the
whole landscape, showed the genius of an
artist. Alas! he felt the last throb of an
artists vanity. The dead silence continued,
and, turning away, he buried his face in
his hands.
"Twenty -one thalersi" faint voice
called out. The stupefed artist gave
start of JOY, and looked to see who had
uttered those blessed words. 1t was the
picture-dealer to whom he first meant to
go.
Fifty thalers!" cried the sonorous voice
of tall man in black.
There was a moments silence. zone
hundred thalers!" at length cried the
picture-dealer, evidently piqued and anx-
ious.
"Two hundred"
"Three hundred"
"Four hundred" ..D' s..
Gone thousand thalers!p -.T
Another. profound silence; and the crowd
pressed around the two opponents, who
stood opposite to each other with flushed
and angry faces.
The tall stranger bid fifteen hundred
thalers.
1.-TWO thousand thalers!" thundered the
picture-dealer, glancing around him tri-
umphantly.
"Ten thousand" vociferated the tall
man, his face crimson with rage, and his
hands clinched convulsively.
The dealer grew pale, his frame shook with
agitation. His voice was suffocated; but
after two or three efforts, he cried out:
"Twenty thousand"
His tall opponent bid forty thousand. The
dealer hesitated. His adversary laughed
low laugh of insolent triumph, and the crowd
gave Rnurmur of admiration. The picture
dealer felt his peace at stake, and called out
in sheer desperation:
Fifty thousand"
The tall man hesitated; the crowd WAS
breathless. At length, tossing his arms in
defiance, he shouted: ,.f.e' .s .i-ta.-.-
Gone hundred thousand" adding an i'm
patient execration against his adversary.
The crestfallen picture dealer withdrew.
The tall victor bore away the prize. He
passed through the wondering people, went
out, and was going along the street, when
a decrepit, lame, humpbacked wretch, tot
tering along by the aid of stick, presented
himself before him. The stranger threw him
a piece of money, and waved his hand as if
dispensing with thanks
"May it please your honor" persisted the
supposed beggar, II am the painter of that
picture" He rubbed his eyes; for he had
hardly yet been able to persuade himself
that he had not been dreaming.
The tall man was Count Dunkelsbach, one
of the richest noblemen in Germany. He
stopped and questioned the artist Being
convinced of the truth of his statement, he |
took out his pocket-book, tore out leaf, and |
wrote on it few lines.
"Take it, friend" he said. at is the
check for your money. Good morning"
Duhobret invested his meney and resolved |
to live luxuriously for the rest of his life,
cultivating painting as a pastime. But, |
though he had borne privation and toll, |
prosperity was too much for him. Indiges-
ton carried him Off His picture had long
an honored place in the cabinet of Count |
Dunkelsbach, and the curious incident of its |
purchase was often related. 1t afterward |
passed into the possession of the King of |
Bavaria.-Cdtholic World.