The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-07-07
A PAINTER VENGEANCE
Ai

s Arsolac N etrlz. was astonishing the ar- tlsie world by the poweriu. ba, eSuaVa- sani productions ah eh are exhibited ai Brussels, in the uaseum Wh.eh bears his name.
 Though his brush WAS generally oc- oupied with ciaSsIrai sublects or weird allegoneal desisus, .ach as the " Centest between Good and EeIl.a he occasionally consented to pam. portraits. 1his was . favor. however. winch he only accorded to those whose pi4yslognomy happened 10 interest him. l. may be added that his taste inclined rathe; to the gro,esque and eccentric than to the beautiful.
 One day he received visit from q cer- tam NJ. Van Spaeh. notary. who had been seized with the desire to have his features perpetuated by the celebrated irilst. Mature an Spaeha dry, wrlnk- led, keen-eyed old gentleman. with an expression of mingled shrewdness and sel;-inportance- was one af the wealth test men in Brussels. and IS avarioiols as he was rich characteristic which had procured hum the nickname of "Ma!tfe Harpagon.
 Nieru was aware of his visitors fail ing nevertheless, he acceded 10 his re- ques, without demur. The fact was. he had been conquered at hrsi sight by the serNener $ picturesque head. The head was perfect treasure to an artist, with is bald cranium, wrnkled forehead. shaggy brows overhanging the. small, piercing eyes, hooked nose, and thin lipped mouth. which shut like rap. Nier,z was fascinated. and. while his visitor WAS pompousy explaining his wishes, the arts, WIS taking mental notes of every line and feature.
 How nurh will the portrait ees,ss" wts the notary cautious inquiry.
 My terms arc loooo francs. mon slcur, was the reply.
 The lawyer started, stared nctedu- loasly. shrugge,t his shoulders. and took uf hls hal. :" In thu, case he answered dply, have oaly to wish yoa good morning.
 Alarmed a, the prospect of losing hi, promising subject. whom he had d. ready Tn imagination Transferred lo the canvas. Nietis hastened ,a add Those gre my usual terms but as your lace n. ,erests me. am wliiinS ,o make a re ducuon III your favor. Suppose we s.n 5000
 But N. m Spaoh s,lll ob)cl,cd, urging that such sum was exorbiant for :. :. strip oi painted canvas"
 Al length. after much bargaining and hesitation. he agreed to pay three thou sand francs for the portrait, frame ln- oluded; and, this being settled he arose io take his leave.
 When am l to give you the frs, si,;lng:' he inquired.
 There is no hurry" replied the ar- tist. who had hIs own intentions regard lnS th!s portrait. " am somewhat oc. oupled al present, but will let you know when have morning at liberty. Au revoiI
 The moment his visitor had letJ the studio Wier,z seized palette and brushes. placed a tiesh canvas on his easel. and dashed in the outlines otthe portrait from memory. He painted as II for a wager. while the summer daylight lasted: and thanks 10 hiS marvellous rapldiiy ct exc euuen. when evening came ihe picture was all but mashed
 lie had represented the old notary seated II tabse s,fewn with papers and iarehments. hIs tull face turned toward the spectator, The head was brough, On; n na>ierly relief ag3ns; shadowed Background, and painted in the artists best s;yle.; bold, free and aneenven- uonAi- showing no signs of its hurried eAec2tion. The likeness vas striking in IS 'ldel'iy and expression of the orisinal. 90 Ina; inc canvas seemed distinct with hfe.
 The foilo@ing morning Wlcr,z gave the finishing ,oaehes 10 hls work. pu, 1t IT frame. and dispatched Il to Van sFzch. lnslruci.ng the messenger 10 wait f9r ar answer.
 hefgboed his hands ~ith pleasure as he pic;afed Inc old genlieman's delight and ~sionsshfaen'. and anticipated the sensa- ;ioa which thss f04y ae fore would eTe~;e sn artistic circles.
 In due time the nesseng ger returned with .he picture n one hand and note in The other. Nlertz hastily dismissed hin, opened the letter and read as follows =
 >is;-l beg leave to return TOUT extra. ordinary production. shicA cannot sun pose s intended fof ray portrait. as Il bears 20 resemblance te me
 In art. as ia eseeihiag else. like 10 have fHs money s worth for rns money. and do s.<s -AsSOeN " P.ts foE Rtie sun or SlsI ff&UGs Tor one atieFrooz's 's ' oTk. Is you d. not eoaslaef nae sCrih she trouble of pasa,gns srrtogsiys must dechhe any farther trau' sautsoas Niih vea, and remain, sir. yours osrdieutle. pFrER NAS SpACH.a
 Shen the artist recovered from his asioniShment al this remarkable cpis,le he huss, into a ii, of laughter winch made the. studio ring.
 His moneys worth ha ha, Mai,re Harpagon has ovcueached himself tor once. lie could have sold i; for five tunes what l, cost him the benieh,ei old phiiiStine.n
 lie placed the rejected picture once more on the easel. and regarded Il long and critically. only to become snore con vinccd of his merit He knew that ar, judges would psonounee it a chei d'Uuvre. His amusement began 10 give