Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-06-28

shameful practical joke by one of you
clients. 1t is my portrait, sir, tina
hangs in your window; it is /, sir-I
Maitre van Spach-who am held up u
ridicule in that infamous daub-pil
loried for all the world to see as al
imprisoned bankrupt Ii the thing i
not at once removed shall apply to TIL
police
At this threat the picture-deale
merely smiled II must refer you d
the artist, monsieur he returned cool
ly. ''The picture belongs to him, an,
can not remove it without his per
mission
To Wiertz' house went Maitre val
Spach, in white heat of rage and in
dignation. On entering the studio
he found the painter lounging in al
armchair smoking his afternoon cigar
''Ah, it is you, Maitre?'' was hi
bland greeting. ITO what fortunat,
circumstance am / indebted for thi
visit? Pray take seat. Do yoi
smoke? You will find those cigars ex
cellent.''
Monsieur, interrupted the notary
cutting short these courtesies witt
scant ceremony, slet us come to thu
point. There is at this moment il
Melchior's window picture-a carica-
ture-which makes me the laughing
stock of the town. / insist on its be
ing taken out at once-at once, do yol
understand"
Not quite replied the other inn
perturbably. sIt is true there is a pic
ture of mine at Melchior's, but real
ly don't see how it makes you ride
ulous.n
"You don't see? But that picture i
my portrait, sir-my Portrait" criet
his visitor, rapping his cane upon thu
floor.
"Your Portrait" echoed the othel
with look of surprise.
'.Of course it is, as anyone can see a
glance. You"
"But-excuse me-" the painter in
terrupted, "you said yesterday that il
did not resemble you in the least. See
here is your letter to that effect"
Van Spach colored and bit his lip
He felt that he was caught.
"Such being the case,n continued
Wiertz, "and the work being returned
on my hands, have perfect righ
to dispose of it the best advantage.
The notary took a turn across the
room to recover his composure.
Come he said at length, forcing q
smile, ''let us try to arrange this ride.
ulous affair amicably. / will give you
the 5000 francs at once, and take the
horrible thing out of the window"
''Stay a moment" interrupted his
companion, as he licked 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 not a work of Imagination
and invention, and / may own that /
consider it one of my most successful
canvases. / could not think of parting
with it for less than $1,000 francs.''
The notary gasped. Fifteen thous-
and francs! You are jokingr'
Not at all. That is nay price; you
may take it or leave it. -
There was a moments pause; then
the visitor turned on his heel.
81 leave it, then! Go to the deuce with
your picturer' he retorted, 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
lll-omened canvas remained on view in
window, he would not know
a moments peace. The story would be
sure to get wind, and even his
friends would join In the laugh against
him. He would hardly dare to show
his face abroad. At any sacrifice this
scandal must be stopped But fifteen
thousand francs! He fairly groaned as
he reluctantly retraced his steps toward
the house.
Monsieur Wiertz,n he began, IN q
conciliatory tone. 81 have reconsidered
the matter, and and-and / agree tc
your terms. | will take your picture
for the sum you named.
Wiertz threw away his cigar, and rose
monsieur, you are very good. But
it happens that /, too, have been consid.
ering, and brilliant idea has occurred
to me"
The notary shuddered. He dreaded
Wiertz' ''ideas," and he had u present
iment that some fresh disaster was in
store for him.
what is it?'' he asked nervously.'
"As my picture seems to have made
p sensation, / think | shall advertise i
to be rallied for at francs a ticket, and
that all the town may have a chance OF
seeing it, shall hire q commissioner tc
carry it through the streets for day OF
two. Not n bad notion-eh?''
Maitre Won Spach was speeches
with CONSERVATION. "You-you woult
not do that?" he stammered.
"Why not? / am confident the plai
would succeeds confident that
wouldn't give it up for less than 10000
down.
The unfortunate notary burst into .
cold perspiration, and wiped his fore
head with his handkerchief. To sc,
himself trotted around Brussels on :
porter's back, labeled Imprisoned TO
Debtr' 1t was horrible nightmare.
Here" he exclaimed desperately
taking out his pocket-book-. 'here's
check for that amount. For heaven
sake, let me have the picture, and Twill
say no more about il"
Half an hour afterwards the detesta
BILE canvas was in his possession; but
was not until he had cut it out of tn
frame and burnt 1t to ashes that he fel
safe from fresh manifestations of th
painters vengeance.
Meantime, Wiertz cashed the check
and after deducting the sum of 1000
francs-the price he had first demande
forwarded the rest to the charitabl
fund of the town in the name of Maitr
Van Spach. The Argosy.