The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-07-17

4 II
tesque and eccentric than the beautiful.
One day be received visit from Q
certain NJ van Spach, a notary, who had
been seized With desire to have his fea.
lures perpetuated by the celebrated ar
tist. Maitre van Spach-a dry, wrin.
kIed, keen-eyed OLD gentleman, with an
depression of mingled shrewdness and
self-iuportance-was one OF the wealth..
lest men in Brussels, and as .avsricious
as be was riah.; a characteristic which
had procured him the nickname OF "Mai.
tre Harpagon." .,..s--,.------.,-.-.-.-.-
Wiertz was aware of bis VISITORS fail
ing nevertheless lie aecedea so;hisre-
quest without demur. The fact was, be
had been conquered at first sight by .he
old scrivener's picturesque head That
head vas perfect treasure to an artist,
with it's bald Uranium. wrinkled forehead,
shaggy brows overhanging the small,
piercing eyes, hooked nose, aad thin,
Tipped mouth, which shut like aIrap.
Weirtz was fascinated, and while bis
visitor was pompously explaining his
wishes the artist was taking mental note
OF every line and feature.
"How much will the portrait cost r.
was the netary's cautious inquiry -,
"My terms are ten thousand francs,
monsieur" was the reply.
The lawyer started, stared ineredu-
lously, shrugged his shoulders and took
up bis hat. :,
ain that case" he answered dryly, 81
have only to wlsh you good morning."
Alarmed at the prospect of losing this
promising "object," whom he had al
ready 10 imagination transferred to can
vas, Weiriz FASTENED to add: -
"Those are my usual terms; but as
your face interests me am willing to
make reduction in your favor Sup
pose we say five thousand p
But N. van Spach still objected, urg-
ing that such sum was exorbitant for
"a strip OF painted, canvas"
AT length, after much bargaining and
hesitation he agreed to pay three thou.
sand francs for the portrait, "frame in
cluded," and this being settled he rose
to take leave.
"When am I to give you the FIRST sit
tingf' he inquired.
"There is no hurry" replied the art
ist who he'd his own intentions regarding
this portrait. II am somewhat occupied
just now but will let you know when I
have morning ct liberty. Au revoir!"
The moment his visitor had left the
studio Weirtz seized palette and brush.
es, placed fresh canvas on bis easel
and dashed in the outlines of the .por.
trait from memory. He had painted as
II for wager while the summer daylight
lasted and, thanks to his marvellous "a
pidity of execution, when evening came
the picture was all but finisbed g..
He, had <eprssented- the old NOTARY
seated at . table strewn. Wallpapers and
psrcbmenfs, bis fnii face turned 70 ward
the spectator. The head was brought
tin mastetly relief against . shadow
ed background, and painted IN The art.
lists best .styies bold free and uncon.
ventional, showing no signs ofits bur..
ried execution. The likenessswas strik-
ing 10 it's fidelity, giving not onlyahe
features bu: the character and ndex.ression
OF the original, SO that the canvss.sesln.
edinstinct with life.
The following morning Weirtz zgave
the finishing touches to his work, put.it
in q frame and dispatched 1t eotVpp
Spach, instructing the messenger to wait
for an answer. - 49,.
He rubbed his hands with pleasurees
be pictured the old gentleman's delight
aod~astontshmeht, and anticipated..he
sensation which this tour de- fdzce could
create ID srtistic circles.
In. due tims the messepger ;feturned
wilh- the picture in one Aapd and asaote
il-the otljer. Wefriz hastily dismissed
him, -opeheds the letter aud read asfpl.
l0Ts:ss -. - - a<%t Yer
:"SIR: I beg 10 return your extraor-
dinary production,s whfchi cannot sup
pose is intended fof my por,rait, as it
hears no resemblance to me. In art, as
in everything else, l. like to have my
moneys worth for my money, and do
not choose to'pay you the sum of,three
thousand francs for one afternoons
work. As you do'not consider me worth
the trouble Of painting seriously must
decliLe any further transactions with
you, and remain, sir, yours obedienhy,
PETER VAN SrAcH
When the artist recovered from his as
tonishment at this remarkable epistle, he
burst into a fit of laughter which made
the stu6so ring.
"His moneys worth-ha! ha! Maitre
Harpagon has overreached himself for
once. He could have sold it for Eve
times what it cost him-the benighted
old Philistine!'
He placed the rejected picture once
more on the easel and regarded it long
and critically, only to become more con,
vinced OF it's merit. He knew that art
judges would pronounce tia chef d'eu
vre His amusement began to give place
to irritation at the indigEity to which his
work had been subjected, and vague
projects Of vengeance rose before him
as be paced the floor with bent head and
knitted brews.
Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes
sparkling with mischievous satisfaction
at an idea which had suddenly occurred
to him. He took up his palette and set
to work upon the pictute again, adroitly
altering and retouehiDg.
In an incredibly short space of time it
underwent q startling metamorphosis
While carefully preserving the likeness,
he bad altered the face by exaegersting
its characteristics; giving cunning leer
to the deeply-set eyes, q grimmer curve