The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-03-03
AN OLD MANS DECEIT

Among the several pictures hanging
upon the walls of my little sltting-room
there is a bedaubed piece of canvas |
value above them all. Although J
thoroughly understand and appreciate
and venerate art, | love to sit opposite
1t In my arm chair the whole day long.
brought this home from the National
Gallery two summers ago, when the heat
was very great, and l first began to feel
that | was losing mystrength and power,
and that old age was gaming only too
rapidly upon me.
Regularly for many years / had at
tended the public picture galleries.
Having the reputation of being II good
copyist, | had always great many COM
missions to execute.
Towards the latter end of this sum-
mer it happened, however, that upon
finishing my last order l found it difi-
cult, because of an unusual dullness at
fecting general trade, to procure an
other.
In consequence of this [ resolved to
make copy of Claude's Embarkation
OF the Queen of Sheba," feeling sure [
sho I'D easily dispose OF it, as the pic
ture | knew TO be general favorIte; and
accordingly at once set to work.
For some time / was the only person
IN the gallery engaged in copying this
painting; but one morning, when Just
about to commence my labor, was ac-
costed by young girl-very slight and
fraglle-looklng- afolding easel,
a piece of canvas partially done up 10
brown paper, and large paint-box.
beg your pardon, " she said, flush
ing, :" but could you make room for
me ?"
Indeed, yes" l answered promptly,
looking at her sweet, plaintive face with
great interest. "You can have this
place; | will move. The light here is
excellent.
"Oh, no, do not wish to take your
place p she replied, nervouslessly. g
can see anywhere-here will do very
we'll"
&c You are not taking my place, an
swered; "a little lower down will do
equally well for me. Let me help you, :"
| added, removing my easel, and pro-
ceeding, 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 raiing which protected the pic
lures. = have come all the way from
Camden Town, and [ feel rather tired. .
The heat IS so great, too" [ an
swered, q am afraid you will find 1t
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 1t upon the
easel. = am afraid you will laugh at
this poor attempt of mine. l began it
SIX years ago, when | was almost child,
when poor papa was alive, and L have
brought 1t to finish, because she hest
tated-" because | want to sell it. F"
| glanced at the canvas. [ had seen
a great many absurd and ridiculous at
tempts at art in my life, but [ had never
looked upon a cruder or more lamenta
bic performance than this. 1t was, III
fact, nothing but an absolute daub 1t
was altogether out of drawing; the color
of the sky was deep PrussIan blue, the
clouds inky black, the sun represented
by mixture "a dirty yellow and red
indeed such a strange appearance it
presented that it would have provoked a
smile from me had [ not been too con
Gus young girl by my side.
" Do You think | shall ever sell it .
she asked, her large, wlstful eyes fixed
upon me.
There was something so ineffably
touching and sadin the tone of her voice
that | felt | could not tell her the truth.
g Possibly, you may" | answered, a
little falterlngly. " It's not very far
advanced; perhaps may be able to give
you some slight assistance. Tam au old
man, and have mad a great deal OF ex-
periepee."
She locked at meearnestly.
g If, indeed, you would only help me, -
she exclaimed, impulsively, ''just a 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 l thought if
| could only finish this, [ could take IT
70 q shop and sell II"
Poor girl | saw the tears IN her
eyes as she spoke, and | wondered what
sad story hers might be. But [ did not
wish her to think me curious, so l fore
bore asking any questions, while she
opened her paint box and proceeded to
set her palette with every imaginable
color possible.
Il must have forgotten how to paint,
Il is SO long ago, she said, advancing to
easel, the brushes trembling III her
In, delicate hand.
YOU like me to do little for
-St?' | suggested gently.
ike to ask you to do
her face brighten
very kind, be-
ted. ?"
thing
FER