The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-08-23


He placed the rejected picture once
moro on the casCl, and regarded it long
and critically, only to become more con.
vlnccd OF It's merit. lie knew th.t art
Judges would pronounce it chcI
d@uvrc. His ann scmcnt began TO give
liacc 10 irritation, at the indignity to
Which hlS w"rk lad been subjected, ard
vague projects OF Vengeance rose before
nm as he paced thc floor, with bent head
and knitted brows.
Nuudcnly he stopped short, his eyes
sparkling with miychlcvous satisfaction
u an idea which had suddenly occurred
| 10 him. lie took mp his palette, and sc,
to work unon tn" picture again, adroitly
| altering and rCtOuching.
In an incredibly short space of time il
| Mndvrwcnt startling mctnmorphosis
| while carefully preserving the likeness,
nc had at"r"d thc face by cxaggerating
| It's characteristics; giving cunning lccl
! to the dc"ply-sat eyes, Grimmcr curve
to the thin lips. and scowl to the heavy
hrows. stubhy beard appeared on the
chin, and the attitude became droorinp
and dCcrrpit.
Then the lo!nry'I accessories vanished
the background becoming tho wall of n
cell, with barred window; whilc the
table, with its litter Of papers and parch-
rlcnts, was transformed into rough
bench, beneath which might be dis,
| ccrAcd a pitcher and n loaf.
When this was achieved to his satisfac-
tion, the artist signed his work, and
&1mmcd on the frame conspicuous
Label, with the inscription: "Imprisoncd
for Debt"
Then he sent for n ,facrc, and drove
to Mclchior's the wcll-known picture
dealer i'll the Rue de Ii Madeleine,
whose window offers such constant at
traction to lovers Of art.
s"l have something to show YOU" be-
can Wiertz. "I have just finished this
study, which I think is fairly successful.
Can you find room for it IN your win.
! dow?'
so !" exclaimed the dealer enthusiastic
ally. "AIy dear fellow, it is first rate
| have nothing of yours more striking
and original-and that is saying much
What price do YOU put upon it?'
81 have rot yet decided" replied the
! painter. "Givc it good place in the
window, and if purchaser presents him
self let nc !;Tow."
in the place of honor, and soon attract &C
curious group. All day ATclchior's
window was surrounded; md next morn
ing tho papers noticed the wonderful
picture, and sent fresh crowds to gazc
| at it,
Among the rest was n friend of Maitrt
van Spach, who could hardly believe his
eyes on recognizing tho worthy notar,
i'll this questionable shape" He hast
cncd at once to inform him of the librrt,
which had been taken with his person
aud not long Aftcrward the old LAWYER
burst into the shop, startling it's pro
| prictor, who ut once recognized the ori
ginal Of the famous picture
"M. Mcchior," began the intruder
"I have been made the victim of n shame
ful practical joke by one of Your clients
1t is my portrait, sir, that hangs in yom
window; it is ], sir-T, Nlaitrc van Spacl
who am held mp to riliculc in that in
famous daub-pilloricd for all the wolli
to sec as an imprisoned bankrupt! T
the thing is not Mt once removed I shal
| apply to the police"
At this threat the picture-dcalcr merely
smiled. 81 must refer You to the art st
monsieur" he returned coolly. "rh,
move it without his permission"
TO Wicrth's house went Maitro Val
| Spach, i'll n white heat of rage ard indig
nation. On entering the studio he founc
the painter l"unGing in an armchair
smoking his afternoon cigar.
ella, it i9 YOU, Maitrc 2" was his blan
| greeting. "ro what fortunate circnm
stance am I indebted for this visit Pra
take n scat. ID" You smoke? You wi
fiEd those cigars excellent"
Monsieur" interrupted the notary
cutting short these cOurtcsicS with scan
ceremony; "lct rs come to the point
There is at This moment in Mclchor
window q picturc-n cnriraturc-whic
makes me the laughing stock Of til
town. insist on its being taken ont
oncc-at once, DO you understand ?"
Not quite" replied TIC other impc
turbably. 1" It iS trnc there is a piciu,
of mine at Mclchior's, Int + really don
sec how it makes You ridiculous."
"You don't see? But that picture
my portrait, SHINY portrait p cried II
visitor, rappinG his cane upon the foo
"Yow portraitE" echoed the otht
with look of surprise.
"Of course it is, rs any one can sec {
glance. YOU"
But-rxcusc me-" the painter into
rupted, "you said yesterday that it di
not resemble you in the least. SCc--hci
is your letter to that effect"
! Van Spach colorcd and bit his lip. II
felt that he was caught.
"Such being III case" continue
Wicrtz, "and the work being rcturnc
On my hands, have perfect right
dispose of it to the best advantage"
The notary took turn across II
room, to recover his compoSmc.
"Comc," he said at length, forcing
smile. "lct us try TO arrange this rider
; lous affair annie Il5ly. ] will give you Il
three Thousand francs at once, and tai
tfc horrible thing out of thc window
; "Stay moment" Interrupted h
: companion, rs he lIiclicd the ashes fro
his cigar, and carccssly changed his p
sition. "You must be aware that 4!
picture in its present shape is ten time
more valuable than n mere portrait
is now Il work Of imagination and mvc
ton. ond / may own that / consider
one of rly most successful canvnscs.
; cn1Ill not think Gf PARTING with 1T for lC