Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-02-07

A stranger sight could not be found,
From side to side the province round.
Palmer Cor, IN 50. Nicholas.
"a MYSTERIOUS COMMISSION"
1t was almost dusk, on wintry after
noon, when was sitting in my studio
wondering if, after all, / had not been 9
fool in believing | was ever destined &c
make living as an artist. My dear old
father-a small manufacturer of silks al
Lyons-had spared all that was possible
from his savings to give me an art edu-
cation in Paris. had entered myself as
pupil at the Academic and had been q
most diligent student at the life classes.
There the rapidity with which | worked,
and the general correctness of drawing,
and truth of color in my sketches, earned
for me much praise. When my funds
were almost exhausted-and knew that
except under the most urgent necessity
must not ask for more from home-I
sought to fill my pockets by selling pict-
ures to the minor dealers. They gave
me but little encouragement; all that the
most favorable was willing to do was TO
put picture in his window and try to
dispose Of tin which case was to re-
ceive three-fourths of the purchase
money. Day after day called to in
quire if keen discerner of unrecognized
genius had found out the merit of my
work. The same statement was always
made to me-"a gentleman had looked
att and promised to call again" But the
mysterious pronlisers never did return.
While l was meditating on my gloomy
prospects | heard low knock at the
door. | rose and opened it. The gen
tleman who stood outside was tall and
thin and dressed in black or very dark
clothes-in the dim light l could not
tell which.
IN. Paul Godin?" he inquired.
Eyes, monsieur. Will you not do me
the favor to enter?'
He bowed and passed in.
81 must apologize for asking you into
dark room," said, as moved toward
the table on which stood q lamp. II
had almost fallen asleep in the twi-
light"
pray do not light the lamp; my eyes
are weak, and what l have to say to you
/ can say better as we are"
My curiosity was thoroughly aroused.
My visitor was evidently a gentleman;
his manner and accent proclaimed that.
In his voice there was a sadness which
at once evoked sympathy.
''As YOU will, monsieur. To whom
have the honor of speakingP"
81 do not wish TO give my name; am
here on business that can be transacted
without disclosing it. must ask you to
excuse the customary formality."
l bowed and pointed to chair. My
visitor took it, paused a moment as if
thinking how he should begin, then
spoke quickly, almost abruptly, as if he
was anxious TO lose rs little time as pos
sible:
IN. Godin l have been told by some
one who knows you well-no matter who
that you can paint from life with great
quickness and accuracy. want a fig
ure painted tonight"
"To-nightr' l exclaimed.
Eyes, by candlelight, and it must be
done before daylight tomorrow morn
ing; that is, in the rough; you can finish
it here afterward. The subject is q
strange one, and the conditions on which
l shall give the commissions are: that
you submit to be taken to and brought
from my house blindfolded; that you
shall rot ask any questions; that you
shall never tell any one what you may
see there; that you shall never show any
one the picture you paint or reveal its
subject; and that if you should ever meet
me after tonight you shall make no sign
of recognition. | know that these are
startling conditions, but am willing to
pay literally. l will pay you one thou
sand francs now and another thousand
when send for the finished picture. Do
you acceptP'
For the moment was stunned. Here
was what seemed to be a fortune placed
suddenly within my grasp. The condi-
tons were certainly "startling," but /
was young, had no fear and the mys-
terry piqued me. 1t seemed as if l had
suddenly been transported back to the
days of the Tour de Nesle, to which
Marguerite de Valois summoned her
lovers, who arrived blindfolded and were
borne away dead by the silent waters.
If some such tragedy was in store for me
l was poorenough and desperate enough
to take all the chances.
"Well," said he somewhat inpatient
ly, "do you acceptP'
Eyes, monsieur"
Good Here are one thousand
francs"
Il will give you areceipt."
at is not necessary. Now gather
your materials and select the largest can
vas you have here"
got together what was needed.
Il am ready, monsieur
"Then you must allow me to blind
fold you. Give me your handkerchief.
There! Does that hurt youp"
mo"
My hat was fortunately soft one. He
turned the brim down so as to conceal
the fact that my eyes were covered.
"Now follow me to the carriage, and
remember, M. Godin, 1 trust TO your
honor as gentleman to fulfill all the con-
ditions imposed"
IL was with no little difficulty that /
managed TO descend the stairs with my
load. AT the landings the stranger toe k
hold of an elbow and gently guided me.
AS we passed into the street my com
panion spoke in q whisper to some one
who was evidently waiting for him.
/ was then put into q carriage and
driven rapidly away, but so many turns
were made that could not determine In
what direction we were going. Some
one was sitting by my side. Ipresumed
IL was my visitor, but he did not seem
inclined to speak, and I had plenty TO
occupy my thoughts. Where was l
being taken, and for what purposeP The
more Ipondered the more uneasy be-
came. My only comfort lay in the GER
tainty that had thousand francs in
my pocket