The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-18
arm chair smoking his afternoon

cigar.
'Ah, it is you, Maitre,' was his
bland greeting. To what fortunate
circumstance am | indebted for this
visit? Pray take a seat. Do you
smoke? You will find those cigars
excellent
Monsieur, interrupted the notary,
cutting short these courtesies with
scant ceremonies, let US come to the
point There is at this moment in
Melchoir's window apicture-a carl
cature, which makes me the laughing
stock of the town. | insist on it be-
ing taken down at once-at once, do
you understand p
Not quite replied the other i'm
perturably. 1T is true there is a
picture of mine at Melchoir's, but |
really don't see how it makes you
ridiculous
You don't see! But that picture
is my portrait, sir, my portrait ?
cried the visitor, rapping his cane
upon the floor.
Your portrait?' echoed Wiertz
with look OF surprise.
OF course it is as any one can see
at a glance. YOU
But, excuse me, the painter inter
rupted, you said yesterday that it
did not resemble you in the least
See, here is your letter to that effect,
sir
Van Spach colored and bit his lip.
He felt that he was caught.
Such being the case continued
Wiertz, and the work being returned
on my hands, had a perfect right
to dispose of it to the very best ad-
vantage.
The notary took a turn across the
room. to recover his composure.
Come. he said at length, forcing
a smile, let US arrange this affair
amicably. | will give you the g.
600 francs at once, and take the hor-
rid thing out of the window
Stop a moment interrupted his
companion, as he hicked the ashes
from his cigar, and carelessly chang
ed his position. You must be
aware that the picture in It's present
shape is ten times more valuable
than a mere portrait. 1t is not a
work of Imagination and invention,
and | may own that | consider it
one of nv best canvases. | could
not think of parting with it for less
than 1900 francs.
The otary gasped.
Fifteen thousand francs, you are
joking
Not atall. That is my price; you
may take it or leave it.
There was a moments pause, then
the visitor turned on his heel.
i 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 be stop
peu dtJu ItIecleu.
SO long as that i'll omened canvas
remained on view in Melchoir's win /
dow he would not know q moments
peace. The story would be sure to I
get wind, and even his friends would I
join in the laugh against MIN. He
would hardly dare to show his face
abroad. At any sacrifice this scandal |
must be stopped. But fifteen thou /
sand francs He fairly groaned as
he reluctantly retraced his steps to-
ward the house.
Monsieur Wiertz,' he began, in n .
tone, i have reconsid- I
cred the matter. and-and | agree to /
your terms. | will take the picture
for the sum you named
Wiertz threw away his cigar and ,
rose.
Monsieur, you are very good. But 1
it happens that |, too, have been
considering, and brilliant idea has
occurred to me-
The notary shuddered. He dread
ed Wiertz' idea, and he had a pre-
sentiment that some fresh disaster
was in store for him.
What is it?' he asked very ner-
vously.
As nv picture seems to have
made a sensation. think shall ad-
vertise it to be ratified for at ) francs
a ticket. and. that all the town NAV
have a chance of seeing it, / shall
hire commissionaire to carry it
through the streets for a day or two.
Not a bad notion-eh?'
Maitre van Spach was speechless
with CONSERVATION.
'You-you he would not do that ?
he stammered.
Why not? l am confident the
plan would succeed-so confident
that / wouldn't give it up for 10000
down.
The unfortunate notary burst into
a cold perspiration, and wiped his
forehead with his handkerchief. To
see himself trotted around Brussels
on a porter's back, labeled Impris-
oned for Debt, was ike a horrible
Here he exclaimed, desperately,
taking out his pocket book. here is
a check for the amount. For heav-
ems sake let me have the picture,
and ! will say no more about it.
Half an hour afterward the detest-
able canvas was in his possession. but
it was not until he had cut it out of
the frame and burnt it to ashes that
he telt himself safe from some fresh
manifestation of the painters ven
geance.
Meantime, Wiertz cashed the
check. and after deducting the sum
of 10000 francs-the price he had /
first demanded-forwarded the rest
to the charitable fund of the town,
in the name of Maitre van Spach.
A rnora bnrrihla discovery has sol