Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-06-30
missed him, opeued the letter, and read

"Sir-I beg to return your extraordi-
nary production, which l cannot sup
pose is intended for my portrait, as it
bears no resemblance to me. In art, as
in everything else, like to have my
moneys worth for my money, and l do
not choose to pay you the sum of three
thousand francs for one afternoon
work. AS you do not consider me
worth the trouble of painting seriously,
l must decline any further transactions
with you, and remain, sir,
Yours obediently,
PETER VAN SPACH."
When the artist recovered from his
astonishment at this remarkable epistle,
he burst into fit of laughter which
made the studio ring.
"His moneys worth-ha! hal Maitre
Harpagon has overreached himself for
once He could have sold it for five
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
convinced of its merit. He knew that
art judges would pronounce it chef
d'euvre. His amusement began TO
give place to irritation at the indignity
to which his work had been subjected
and vague projects of vengeance rose
before him as he paced the floor, with
bent head and knitted brows.
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 picture again,
adroitly altering and retouching.
In an incredibly short space of time
1t underwent startling metamorpho-
sis. While carefully preserving the
likeness, he had altered the face by ex-
aggerating it's characteristics; giving
cunning leer to the deeply-set eyes, q
grimmer curve to the thin lips, and a
scowl to the heavy brows. A stubby
beard appeared on the chin, and the
attitude became dropping and decreplt.
Then the notary's accessories vanish
ed, the background becoming the wall
of a cell, with barred window; while
the table, with its litter of parchments,
was transformed into a rough bench
beneath which might be discerned a
pitcher and IL loaf.
When this was achieved to his sat
isfaction, the artist signed his work,
and gummed on the frame a conspicu-
ous'label, with the inscription, "lmpris'
oned for Debt"
Then he sent for fiacre and drove tt
Melchior's, the well-known picture
dealer in the Rue de la Madeline
: whose window offers such constant at
| traction to lovers of art.
II have something to show you,
began Wiertz II have just finished
this study, which think is fairly sue
Z cessful. Can you find room for it IL
| your window
} "Find room for it? l should thinl
sol" exclaimed the dealer enthusiastic
, ally. "My dear fellow, it is first rate
. l have seen nothing of yours NOR
= striking and original and that is say
ing much. What price do you pu
: upon it?'
r Il have not yet decided" replied tn
painter. "Give it a good place in tn
g window, and if a purchaser present
70 himself let me know"
: The picture was Immediately install
T. led in the place of honor, and soon at
tracted curious group. All ola
t. Melchior's window was surroundet
and next morning the papers notice
t. the wonderful picture, and sent fres
e. crowds to gaze at it.
at Among the rest was a friend
III Maitre van Spach, who could hard
r believe his eyes on recognizing II
worthy notary in this "questionab
,e shape" He hastened at once to infor
ID him of the liberty which had bee
is taken with his person; and not loI
10 afterward the old lawyer burst into Il
as shop, startling its proprietor, who
y once recognized the original of t
9l- famous picture.
e. "M Melchoir," began the intrud'
n 81 have been made the victim of
shameful practical joke, by one of 20
ry clients. It's my portrait sir, that han
RS in your window; it is l, sir-I, Matt
ed van Spach-who am held up to ridicu
as in that infamous daub- -pilloried for
lst the world to see as an imprison
in bankrupt! If the thing is not remove
In l shall apply to the police"
its At this threat the picture deal
'as merely smiled.
lily II must refer you to the artist, mo
ex- sieur," he returned, coolly. "The pi
,he ture belongs to him, and cannot l
move it without his permission"
i've To Wiertzs house went Maitre v
,ut Spach, in white heat of rage and
an dignation. On entering the studio,
to found the painter lounging in an ar
I -