The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-16

g knitted brow. -
% suddenly he stopped short. his ey,
~ sparkling with mischeivous satisfactio
90 at The idea which had suddenly oeeurre
TO him. He took up bis palette. and :
70 work upon the picture again. adroitl
altering and retouehing.
x In an inereditably short space of tin
It underwent a startling metamorph,
SIS. While carefully preserving IN
likeness, he had altered the face by axa,
gerating its characteristics; giving a eus
nIng leer to the deeply-set eyes. a glim
0 ner curve to the thin lips, and scoW
= 70 the heavy brows. A stubby bear
> appeared on the chin, and the attitud
!. became dropping and discrepit.
Then the notary's accessories vanished
E the background became the wall of a cell
e with barrel window; while the table
with its litter Of parchment, was tran
r formed into rough bench, beneath
which might be discerned a pitcher anc
q | loaf
When this was achieved to his salts
faction, the artist signed his work, and
p gummed on the frame a conspicuous
abel with the inscription: imprisoned
for debt"
Then he sent for fitcae, and drove
70 Melchior's, the well-known picture
lealer in the Rue de la Madeleine
whose windows offer such constant at
traction to lovers of art
Il have something to show you," be
gan Wiertz. 81 have just finished this
study which / think is fairly successful.
Can YOU find room for it in your win
down.
Find room for it? / should think
sOw exclaimed the dealer enthusiast
t;cally. "My dear fellow, it is first rate
| have seen nothing of yours more striA-
ing and original-and that is saying
much. What price do you put up )n
| itP'
81 have not yet decided, )" replied the
painter. Give it good place in the
window. and if a purchaser presents
himself let me know"
The picture was Immediately Installed
in the place of honor, and soon attracted
curious group. All day Melchi0r'r
window was surrounded; aud next day
he papers noticed the wonderful picture
md sent fresh crowds to gaze at it.
Among the rest was a friend of Maitre
'an SPach, who could hardly believe his
YES on recognizing the worthy notary
n this questionable shape" He has
tened at once TO inform him of the lib |
erty which had been taken with his per |
son; and not long afterwIrd the old law |
yer burst into the shop, startling the pro
orietor, who at once recognized the or
igiual of the famous picture.
an MelchiOr," began the intruder
81 have heep made the victim of !,
shameful, practical joke by one of your
clients It is nv portrait sir, that hangs
IN your window it is |, sir Maitre van
Spach-whO am held uprp ridicule in
that infamous. daub piIloried for all
the world tc see as an imprisoned bank
rupt! If the thing is not at once re-
moved, | shall apply to the police"
At this threat the picturedealer
merely smiled. 81 must refer you to
the artist monsieur" he returned, coolly.
"The picture belongs to him, and | can
not remove it without his permission"
To Wiertz's house went Maitre van
Spach. in white heat of rage and indig
nation On entering the studio he
found the painter Iounging in an arm
chair, smoking his afternoon cigar.
"Ah, it is you, MaitreT was his bland
greeting. "To what fortunate circum
stance am endebted for this visit!
Pray take seat. Do you smoke? You
will find those cigars excellent"
Monsieur" interrupted the notary
cutting short these courtesies with scant
ceremony "let us come to the point.
There is at this moment in Melchior's
window picture-a caricaturn which
makes me the laughing stock of the
town. insist on its being taken out at
once-at once do you understand
"Not quite" replied the other imper-
turbably. ut is true there is picture
of mine at MelchiOr's, but really don't
see how it makes you ridiculous"
'You don't see? But that picture is
nv portrait sir-my portrait cried the
visitor rapping his cane upon the floor. {
"Your portrait" echoed the other with
a 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 {
Van Spaeh colored and bit his lip. He {
felt that he was caught. Il
eSuch being the case," continued a
Weirtz "and the work being returned I
On my hands, have right to dispose 5
of it to the best advantage
The notary took turn across the
room to recover his composure. i
siCome," he said at length, forcing
mile "let us try to arrange this rid !;
eulous affair amicably | will give you !;
he three thousand frances at once, and ;
axe the horrible thing out of the win .
low" o
'.Stay a moment" interrupted his
.ompainion as he ficked the ashes from a
lis cigar, and carelessly changed his a
,osition "You must be aware that the
picture in its present shape is ten times
more valuable than mere portrait 1t 4
5 now a work of imagination and inven-
ion, and / may own that consider 1t
ne of nv most successful canvases.
ould not think of parting with it for
ess than fifteen thousand frances"
The notary gasped Fifteen thous t,
nd francesl You are jokingp b
"Not at all. That is my price; you A
aay take it or leave il" t.
There was a moments pause; then the q
isitor turned on his heel. oi
sIleave it thenl Go to the deuce with !. !.
our picturep he retorted. as he left :. :.
he room banging the door after him. :.
He had not gone many yards from the ;,
ouse, however, when he stopped short :
nd reflected. So long as that ill-omen 8
d canvass remained on view In Mel fr
hior's window he would not know 3
aoments peace. The story would be a.
are to get wind, and even his friends Il
lould Join in the laugh against him. He
rould hardly dare to show his face
broad. At any sacrifice this scandle A
lust be stopped But-ffteen thous-
nd frances. he fairly groaned as he re-
retraeed his steps toward the
ouse- la
Monsieur Wiertz,n be began, in e
onciliatory tone, have reconsidered q
he matter-and agree to your terms. .
will take the picture for the sum you
amed
Eeirfz threw away his cigar and rose. y
Monsieur, you are very kind, but it
appens that /, too have been reconsid-
ring. and brilliant idea has occurred =
D me.
ssThe notary shuddered He dreaded
Feitz's ssideas and he had a presentl-
lent that some fresh disaster was in store
0F him. s.
s.Nhat Is itgs be asked nervously. IS
= As my picture seems to have made kl
.nsation. think shall advertise i e e.
8 rallied for At i've francs ticket aad 4
hat all the town may have chance of n
seinc t. shall have ascommissionaire "
carry It through the streets for day p
I two. Not bad notion eh = e
Maitre van Spach was speechiese with II
ansteFnatien. 1ou-xon would not 3