The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-08-22

Hlorc on VIC cAscl, ana regarded II long |
and critically only TO become more con.
yinccd o! its merit He knew th.t art
Judges would pronounce it chcl
dwnvrc. His amusement began to give
place 10 irritation, at the indignity to
which his work had been subjected, and
vague projects OF vengeance rose before
him as he paced the floor, with bent head |
and knitted brows
Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes |
sparkling with mschlevons satisfaction |
1t an idea which had Suddenly occurred
to him. He took up his palette, and sci
TO work upon the picture again, adroitly
altering and retouching.
In an incredibly short space of time il
underwent n startling metamorpnosis.
While carefully preserving the likeness,
he had altered thc face by cxagRcrating
Its characteristics; giving n cunning lecl
! 10 the deep ly-sct eyes, grimmcr curve
to The thin lips and n scowl to the heavy
hrows A stubhy beard appeared ON the
chin, aud the attitude became dropping
and dccrcpit.
Then the rotary accessories vanished,
the background becoming the wall of n
cell, with Il barred window; while the
table, with lis litter of papers and parch-
mcnts, was transformed into n rough
hcnch, beneath which might be dis.
cerard pitcher and n loaf.
When this was achieved to his satisfac.
ton, the artist signed his work. and
pummed on the frame Il conspicuous
label, with the inscription: imprisoned
for Debt"
Then he sent for .facrc, and drove
to Mclchior's, the welI.known picture.
dealer in the Rue de Ia Madeleine,
whose window offers such constant at.
traction to lovers Of art.
II have something 10 show you," be-
Gan Wicrtz 81 have Just finished this
study, which think is fairly successful.
: Can you find room for 1t IN your win
dowg'
50 !" exclaimed the dealer enthusiastic
| ally. "My dear fellow, it is first rate
lave nothing of yours more striking
and original-and that is saying much
What price do you put upon it?
f 81 have not yet decided" replied the
painter Give it good place in tho
. window, and if purchaser presents him
self let me know"
! The picture was Immediately installc'
/ in the place Of honor, and soon attractc'
! curious group. All day Mclchior'
/, window was surrounded; and next morn
ing the papers noticed the wondcrll
i picture, and sent fresh crowds to ga2
!. ut it.
Among the rest was friend of Maitr
s van Spach, who could hardly believe h,
( ewes on recognizing the worthy notar
- in this questionable shape" He hast
cned at once to inform him Of the libcrt
- which had been taken with his pcrsol
aud not long aftcrward the old lawyc
i burst into the shop, startling its pr
prictor, who at once recognized the or
!. ginal of the famous picture,
X IN. Mclchor," began the intrndc
Il 81 have been made the victim of sham,
ii full practical joke by one of your client
1t is my portrait, sir, that hangs in yo'
is window; it is |, sir-I, Maitrc van Spac
i. who am held ny to ridicule in that i
n. famous dnub--pilloricd for all the wor
re to see as nm imprisoned honkrupt!
p. the thing is not Mt once removed | sh'
c. apply TO the police" "
ve At this threat the picturc-dcalcrmrrc
smiled. 81 must refer you to the artii
-. monsieur" he returned coolly. "T
~ picture belongs to him. and cannot !
move il without his permission"
nj To Wiertz's house went Maitre VI
II. Spach, in white heat of rage and indi
n nation. Oncntcring the studio hefou'
sc the painter lounging in an arm-cha
smoking his afternoon cigar.
it. ola, it is You, Moitrc o. was his hla
greeting. "To what fortunate circm
'r- stance AMI Indebted forthis visit Pr
d. take scat Do You smoke? Iou "
,c' find those cigars excellent"
NV Monsieur" interrupted the noto,
iu cutting short these courtcsies with sea
ceremony; "lct us come to the poi
he There is at this moment in Melchio
cs, window picturc--a caricaturc-whl
nd makes me the laughing stock OF
ait town. insist ON its being taken ont
!, n | ,,,,o % ourn 1n Won understand p
ol. o''o'-t' a,;,o ", - rnol;cI tho otLcr INN
oi .,.,aIH,, NNI 9"..I Il 10 trnc thcrc is pict
,H,"%"ay, '';,n =, ,,oIcL;or,s hnt T really d,
PIC o' n,"u =. 'oI.ns "o', ,,' ,,,, - r;1;cn,ons
''1 W." WV, 5omt .ocp Bnt flat pictur,
ary ,'a,,,";, io. "u' ,;r ~ INV m"rtrnit ~ cried
ana my por'r"'' r"''n;ma hi. & cane unon the fl,
ON, "Yor portrait?" echoed the OF
wed WIZ "a iooN . o' a'' a,' ns a,v ono con 50
lists vi co".Se w. II ~ 40 any '''N O'' ~
nal, n glance lou" ,,..;
ecu. " But-cXcusc me, tlie pa,I'eI ~
its ruptcd, "you sad Yesterday tn''l @ IL
but not resemble you III thc iea,,' occ-
rig is your letter to 'iat eherS' ,,.r.
inct Van Spach coIorea anu pl' niS ip'
felt that he was can8ht' , oont;,
tho Such belhg the c"Se, coi.a, .',
in % n Wiertz,, land the work pcing g. lG'I ',;1
!" " On my hands, ! nave perlcct rlEi