Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-02-28
AN OLD MANS DECEIT.


AN OLD MANS DECEIT.
Among the several pictures hanging
upon the walls Of my little sitting room
there is bedaubed piece of canvas
value above them all. Although l
thoroughly understand and appreciate
and veuerate art, I love to sit opposite
1t in my arm chair the whole day long.
l brought this home from the National
Gallery two summers ago. when the heat
was very great, and first began to feel
that was Using my strength and power,
and that Old age Was gaming only too
rapidly upon me.
Regularly tor many years I had at
tended the public picture galleries.
Having the reputation of being a good
copylst, had always great many CON-
missions to execute.
Towards the latter end of this sum-
ner 1t happened, however, that upon
flushing my last order found it ditfi-
cult, because Of an unusual dizziness at.
fectlnS general trade, to procure an
other.
In consequence Of this I resolved to
make copy Of Claude's Embarkation
OF the Queen OF Sheba,' feeling sure I
sho I'D easily dispose of it, as the pic
ture knew to be general favorlte; and
accordingly l at once set to work.
For some time l was the only person
in the gallery engaged in copying this
painting; but one morning, when just
about to commence my labor, I was &C.
costel by a young girl-very slight and
1raglle-looklng- carrying folding easel,
a piece OF canvas partially done up in
brown paper, and large paint-box.
beg your PARDON she said, flush
ing, "out could you make room for
me?"
8" Indeed, yes" answered promptly,
looking ut her sweet, plaintive face with
great interest. "You can have this
place; will move. The light here is
excellent"
"Oh, no, I do not wish to take your
place y she replied, nervouslessly. 81
can see anywhere-here will do very
WE'LL"
'You are not taking my place." I an
swered; ga little lower down will do
equally we'll for me. Let me help you."
l added, removing my easel, and pro-
ceedlng, without receiving any further
resistance from her, to install hers in
the position mine had occupied.
" am sure you are very kind to do
this for me-" she said, leaning against
the IRON raining which protected the pic
lures. " l have come all the way from
Carndr n Town, and 1 feel rather tired"
The heat is so great, too," an
swered, {" am afraid you will find it
very trying here
"Oh [ don't mind that" she re-
piled, taking the brown paper off the
canvas, which was about the same size
as my own, and placing it upon the
easel. 81 am afraid you will laugh at
this poor attempt of mine. began it
SIX years ago, when was almost child,
when poor papa was alive, and have
brought it to finish, because ''-she hest
tated- -" because / want to sell it."
l glanced at the canvas. I had seen
great many absurd and ridiculous at
tempts at art in my life, but had never
looked upon cruder or more lamenta.
BILE performance than this. 1t was, in
fact, nothing but an absolute daub. 1t
was altogether out Of drawing; the color
OF the sky was deep Pruss1an blue, the
clouds lnky black, the sun represented
by, q mixture o. dirty yellow and red
Indeed, such strange appearance it
presented that it would have provoked a
smile from me had [ not been too con-
scions OF the presence of the pale, anx-
Gus young girl by my side.
"Do you think shall ever sell it ?"
she asked, her large, w1stful eyes fixed
upon me.
There was something so ineffably
touching and sad N the tone of her voice
that felt could not tell her the truth.
Pos >ibIy, you may" answered, a
little falterlnglS. Its not very far
advanced; perhaps I may be able to give
you some slight assistance. am az old
man, and have had. a great deal of ex-
perieI &C.. ,"
She |, oked at me earnestly.
4 "lt, indeed, you would only help me-"
she exclaimed, impulsively, ''just very
little, just to make it look more like
yours. It's everso long since painted,
but people always like to buy pictures
rich people; mean; and thought if
could only finish this, could take it
to shop and sell 1t. -
Poor girl! I saw the tears in her
eyes us she spoke, and I wondered what
Sad story hers might be. But I did not
wish her to think me curious, so / FORE
bore asking any questions, while she
opened her paint box and proceeded to
set her palette with every imaginable
,color possible.
-: 81 must have forgotten how to paint,
it is so long ago." she said, advancing to
her easel, the brushes trembling in her
long, thin, delicate hand.
Would you like me to do q little for
you, just at first?' | suggested gently.
" should not like to ask you to do
: that" she answered, her face brighten.
ing; "but it would be very kind, be-
cause it is 50 long since painted"
l knew could do absolutely nothing
to redeem the work as it stood, but after
few necessary preliminaries, set the
colors straight and advised her to pro-
ceed with them, when at last returned
the brush and palette to her hand.
She seemed very grateful. Her eyes
sparkled with hope.
Il am indeed fortunate to meet with
80 kind friend !" she exclaimed, seat
ing herself in front of the easel. II
hope shall soon finish it." she added
with sigh, "for it is difficult to leave
my little ones alOne.". ~ RAID 3 81 y q
I looked at her in astonishment. Her
little ones! Could it be possible that
she was married T glanced at her left
hand involuntarity, and then for the first
time observed that she wore wedding
ring. [ did not like to make any remark.
felt afraid Of saying something that