The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-08-02

thin lips. aud . scovi 10 the heavy brows.
A stubby beard appeared on the chin. and
Tho sltstnde heosnsdrcopcd and dscrepit
Then the notsry's accessories vanished
tbs background becoming tho wall Of q
cell, with barred window. while the Ia
BILE with its litter OF psrchpents was trans.
formed into Arough bench, beneath which
might he discsrsed pitcher sad loaf
wheu this Nsm achieved 10 his satisisc-
tion the artist siknea his work and gum.
med on the frame conspicuous label with
the inscription: Imprisoned for Debt
Then be sent for carriage and drove to
Melchior's, the wellknown picture dealer
10 the Rue de IL Madeline. whose window
offers snch constant attraction 10 lovers Of
art.
Il have something TO show you." began
Wiertz II have Just fnisbei this study,
which ! think 10 fairly succsssful. Can
you fnd room for il In your Window"
Find room for ity' exclaimed the deal.
or. Il should think 80. Ny dear fellow.
il is frst.rats. l have seen nothing Of
yours more striking aud original. aud thai
is saying good deal. What price do you
put upon itY"j
II have not yet decided" replied the
painter. Give il a good place in the
window. and il a purchaser presents him
self, let me know.
The picture was Immediately installed
in the place Of honor. and soon attracted
a curious group. All day Melchiors win.
dow was surrounded, and the next day the
papers noticed the wonderful picture. AMI
sent fresh crowds to gaze at it.
Among the rest was friend Of Maitre
Won Spach, who could hardly believe his
eyes on recognizing the worthy notary in
this questionable shape He st once has.
tened TO inform him OF the liberty which
had been taken with his person, aud not
long after the old lawyer burst into the
shop, startling It's proprietor. who at once
recognized the original Of the famous pic
ture.
IN. Melchior," began the intruder, II
have been made the victim Of shameful
practical joke by one OF your clients II
is my portrait that hangs in your window.
It is /. sir, -Maitre Won Spach- Sho is
held up to ridicule in that infamous daub,
piloried for all the world to see as an i'm
prisoned bankrupt II the thing is not at
once removed l shall apply to the police.
At this threat the picture dealer merely
smiled. Il must refer you to the artist,
monsieur" be returned coolly. "rhe
picture belongs to him, and cannot re
move it without his permission.
To Wiertz' house went Maitre Won Spach
in white heat Of rage and indignation.
On entering the studio he found the paint.
sr lounging in an ,armchair, smoking his
afternoon cigar.
"Ah, is it you, Maitre9' was his bland
greeting. ITO what fortunate circnm
stance am indebted for this visit? Pray,
take sest. Do you smoke? You II tind
these cigars excellent. :
"Mousenr. interrupted he notary.
ting short these conrtpsi,,s with scaut
10Y, ''lrt US come to the point.
\, 1t I is moment in Melchors
rture-a carricature Lich
Ching stock OF the town.
k.,L ~ .k
insist on its being ..a,9,.
once do you unders. ~. ... ;..
mot quite. . returned t. s;o.a-p =,
uryably. 1T is true there 10 ~. -.
nine at Melchior's. but really
ow it makes you ridiculous.
''You don't see? But that picture is. =
ortrait-my portrait, sir," cried his visit
r. rapping his cane on the floor. Q
Your portrait?' echoed the artist with h
look OF surprise. a
"Of course it is as any one can see at /,
glance. You" h
"But-excnse me-the painter inter. Ii
ipted, ''yon said yesterday it did not re- h
'mble you /, the least. See-here is
our letter to that effect h
Won Spacli colored and bit his lip. He "
1T that he was caught q
Such being the case, continued the II
.tist .and the work being returned on q
y hands. ! have perfect right to dis b
ose OF it to the best advantage Lila
he. , <,ta 4. | A
recover his composure. d
Come he said ut length. ''let us try
arrange this ridicuIous STAIR amicably.
will give you the three thoussnd francs A
once. and take the horrible thing out OF h
e window"
"Wait moment. interrupted Wiertz. as HI
} ficked the ashes from his cigar. and
relessly changed his position. "You Of
ust be aware that the picture in its pres. ri
I shape is ten times more valuable than
mere portrait. |. is nov . work OF i'm v
ination and invention. and I may own Ia
ct ] consider il one Of my most success
J pictures. / conld not think OF parting n
th it for less than fifteen thousand
ines.
The notary gasped. A
Fifteen thousand francs? You must be
kipg?"
mot at all. That is my price. You ar
n take it or leave il. :" m
There was moments pause; then the
tsry turned on his heel.
II leave it then. Go to the deuce with
ur picturer' be exclaimed ~ he left the
om. banging the door behind him. .
He had not gone many yards from the Of
nse. however. when be stopped short II