Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-06-28
missed him, opeued the letter, and read
PC follows.

aS follows:
"Sir-I beg to return your extraordi-
nary production, which / cannot sup
pose is intended for my portrait, as it
| bears no resemblance - 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 atternoon'S s
work. As you do not consider me
worth the trouble of painting seriously,
| must decline any farther transactions
with You, and remain, sir,
Yours obediently,
PETER VAN SPACH."
When the artist recovered from his
aStonishment mt this remarkable epistle,
he burst into a fit of laughter which
made the studio ring.
His moneys worth-ha! ha! 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'Guyre. 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 brow5.
Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes
sparkling with mischievous satisfaction
at an idea which had suddenly occurred
to him. lie took up his palette, and
set to work upon the picture again,
adroitly altering and retouching.
In an incredibly short space of time
it underwent startling metamorpho-
sis. While carefully preserving the
likeness, he had altered the face by ex-
aggerating its characteristics; giving a
cunning leer to the deeply-set eyes, a
grimmer curve to the thin lips, and a
scoWl to the heavy brows. y stubby
beard appeared on the chin, and the
attitude became dropping and decrepit.
Then the notary's accessories vanish
ed, the background becoming the wall
of cell, with a barred window; while
the table, with its litter of parchments,
was Transformed into a rough bench,
beneath which might be discerned a
pitcher and loaf
When this was achieved to his sat-
isfaction, the artist signed his work,
and gummed on the frame a conspicu-
Gus label, with the inscription, "Impris-
oned for Debt"
Then he sent for fiacre and droveto
Melchior's, the well-known picture
dealer in the Rue de la Madeline,
whose window offers such constant at
traction to lovers of art.
Il have something to show you,"
began Wiertz. II have just finished
this study, which l think is fairly sue
cessful. Can you find room for it in
your window"
Find room for it? | should think
so." exclaimed the dealer, enthusiastic
ally. "OIy dear fellow, it is first ratel
l have seen nothing of yours more
striking and original and that is say
ing much. What price do you put
upon it?'
q have not yet decided" replied the
painter "Give it good place in the
window, and if a purchaser presents
himself let me know"
The picture was Immediately install
led in the place of honor, and soon at
tracted a curious group. All day
Melchior's window was surrounded;
and next morning the papers noticed
the wonderful picture, and sent fresh
crowds to gaze at it.
Among the rest was a friend OF
Maitre van Spach, who could hardly
believe his eyes on recognizing the
worthy notary in this questionable
shape" He ha5tened at once to inform
him of the liberty which had been
taken with his person.; and not long
afterward the old lawyer burst into the
shop, startling It's proprietor, who at
once recognized the original of the
famous picture.
an Melchoir," began the intruder.
81 have been made the victim of a
shameful practical joke, by one of your
clients. It's my portrait sir, that hangs
in your window; it is |, sir-,-I, Maitre
van Spach-whO am held up to ridicule
in that Infamous daub- -pilloried for all
the world to see as an imprisoned
bankrupt! If the thing is not removed,
l shall apply to the police"
At this threat the picture dealer
merely smiled.
81 must refer you to the artist, mon
sieur," he returned, coolly. "The pic
ture belongs to him, and / cannot re-