Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-06-29

my portrait, sir, that bangs in your window
it is !, sir-I, NIaitre Won Spnch-who am
held up to rdicule in that Infamous daub-
pillorod for all the world to see as an impris.
oned bankrupt! If the thing is not at once
removed, shall apply to the police"
At this threat the picture dealer merely
smiled. ~ must refer you to tho artist,
monsieur" he returned coolly. "lhe pic
ture belongs to him, aud / cannot remove it
without his permission
10 Wiertz's house went Maitro Won Spach
in a white heat Of rage and Indignation On
entering the studio be found the painter loung
ing in an armchair, smoking his afternoon
cigar
"Ah, is it you, maitre2' was his bland
greeting. ITO what fortunate circumstance
am indebted for this visit? Pray take a
seat DO you smoke ? You'll find these ci-
gars excellent"
Monsieur" interrupted the notary, cut
ting short these courtesies with scaut cere.
mony, ''let US come 10 the point. There is at
this moment in Melchior's window Il picture
"A caricature-which makes me the laughing
stock of the town. l insist on its being taken
out at once-dt once-do you understand
mot quite" returned the artist, impertur-
badly. 1T is true, there is picture Of mine
at Melchiors, but really don't see how it
makes y0u Ridiculous
lbA uOL btt l1uN thhb BlNAult - lAlg
portrait, sir-my portrait" cried his visitor,
rapping his cane on the floor.
Your portrait 2 echoed the artist with
look Of surprise.
"Of course it is, as any one can see at
glance. You"
"But-excuse NE" tho painter interrupt
Cd, you said yesterday that it did not resem.
ble you in the least See-here is your letter
to that effect
Won Spach colorcd and bit his lip. lie felt
that he was caught.
'Such being the case" continued Wiertz,
"and the work being returned on my hands,
have perfect right to dispose of it to tho
best advantage
The notary took a turn across the room to
recover his composure.
Come, he said at length, forcing n smile,
'let us try to arrange this ridiculous affair
amicably. l will give you the three thousand
francs at once, and take the horrible thing
out of the window"
"Wait a moment" interrupted his compan-
ion, as he hicked the ashes from his cigar and
carelessly changed his position "You must
be aware that the picture in its present shape
is ten times more valuable than a mere por-
trait. 1t is now a work of imagination and
invention, and l may own that l consider it
one Of my most successful canvasses. could
not think of parting with it for less than fif-
teen thousand francs"
The notary gasped.
Fifteen thousand francs! You are jok-
ing?"
mot at all That is my price you can
take it or leave it,
There was moments pause then the no
tary turned on his heel.
Il leave it, then. Go to the deuce with
your picture :" he exclaimed, as he left the
room, banging the door behind him.
He had not gone many yards from the
house, however when he stopped short and
reflected. So long as that ill-omened canvas
remained on exhibition in Melchior's window
he would not know q moments peace. The
story would be sure TO get wind and even his
friends would join in the laugh against him.
He would scarcely dare to show his face
abroad. At any sacrifice this scandal must be
stopped. But-ffteen thousand francs! He
fairly groaned as he reluctantly retraced his
steps toward the studio.
Monsieur Wiertz," he began, in a concil-
atory tone, 81 have reconsidered the matter,
and agree to your terms. l will take your
picture for the sum you named"
Wiertz tossed away his cigar and rose.
Monsieur, you are very kind but it hap
pens that l, too, have been reconsidering, and
a brilliant idea has occurred to me-"
The notary shuddered. He dreaded Wiertz's
ideas and had a presentiment that some
fresh disaster was in store for him.
"What is it 2" he asked, nervously.
"As my picture seems to have made a SEN
sation, think l shall advertise it to be rafilsd
for at five francs a ticket, and that all the town
may have a chance of seeing il shall have
commissionnaire to carry it about the streets
for day or two. Not bad notion -eh Z"
Maitre Won Spach was speechless with con-
sternation. "You-you would not do that 2
| he stammered.
why not? am confident the plan would
| succeed-so confident that l wouldn't give it
up for less than thirty thousand francs
money down"
The unfortunate notary burst into cold
| perspiration, and wiped his forehead with his
handkerchief To see himself trotted around
| Brussels on porters back, labeled "Impris-
oned for Debt 1t was like horrible night
mare.
Here, he exclaimed, desperately, taking
out his pocket-book, ''here is a check for the
amount. For heavens sake let me have the
picture and will say no moro about it."
Half au hour later the detestabe canvas
was in his possession but it was not until
he had cut it out of the frame and burnt it to
ashes that he felt himself safe from some
fresh manifestation of the painter vengeance.
Meantime Wiertz cashed the check, aud,
| after deducting the SUN of ten thousand francs
the price he had first demanded forwarded
the rest to the charitable fund of the town in
the name of Maitre Won Spach. Tile AygOsy
|