Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-05-01

genuine artist, with name and fame
who, having come hither for his
health, allowed it to be understood that
he would condescend to the light recrea-
tion of painting few portraits of the
aristocrAcy; and the aristocracy, for the
most part eager to secure this proof of
their being such, hastened at once to Sc
cure his services.
Among the first to call upon Mr.. Blen-
der was Miss Stratton.
To be sure, his charges were enormous
quite ruinous, indeed-but. then, as
Mrs Goldsby, the former jewelers. wife,
superciliously remarked, there was athe
same difference in high and low art as in
real and imitation di'monds; ifone would
have the genuine, one must expect to pay
accordingly; and everybody knew what
incredible prices were paid for oil paint
ings nowadays!"
And Mrs oldborough, who had no dia-
monds, but boasted of pedigree, observed
that "of course it was necessary for every
old family 10 keep up its family portrait
galleryw So she meant to have her own
likeness taken, and hung beside that Of
her grandfather, the judge.
1t required long time for Miss STRAIT
fon to consider in what style she would
have her portrait taken. Finally she de-
cided upon full-length figure in the
midst of garden, the face shaded and
softened by pink parasol, and herhands
full of roses.
This would serve to display her height
and the dignity Of her carriage, and also
allow of considerable picturesqueness in
her dress. with the train falling grace
fully about her.
She gave the artist several sittings, and
being then assured that he could com
plete the portrait with the assistance of a
photograph left with him for the purpose,
she waited in pleased anticipation Of the
result.
On the day appointed by Mr.. BENDER
Miss stratton repaired to the studio. and
the completed portrait was unveiled be-
fore her eyes.
She surveyed it for some moments in
silence.
'sYou don't call this likeness ~ she
at length demanded, very abruptly.
can excellent likeness, madaml" re-
turned Mr.. Blender, composedly.
'But- utn-surveying it first from
one side and then another-t'it looks ten
years old than it should do. And it's
too thin-and sallow. And the smile is
not at all like mel I'm sure the corners
of my mouth don't turn up like that
Why, it's a positive smirkl No one
would ever imagine that it was intended
for me!n
81 beg your pardon, madam, but I
have faithfully represented both the fea-
lures and expression, and consider the
coloring unusually good and true to ma
turer said Mr.. Blender, politely, but
firmly.
'Gt's perfect fright" said Miss STRAIT
ton.
Mr.. Blender shrugged his shoulders in
deprecating manner, and the lady's face
became very red.
''You promised me good likeness,
STRIP she said, ''for which Iagreed to pay
you one hundred dollarsl''
Mr.. Blender bowed.
sI do not consider this likeness at
all 1t must be alteredp
s'To alter it would be to destroy the
likeness"
s'You decline to make any change,
Such as I might suggest 2"
Mr. Blender replied that he was not
accustomed to paint portraits after the
suggestions of the sitter, but according
to his own judgment; that he allowed
none but perfect likenesses to go forth
from his hand and under his name.
though he made point Of adding what
ever softening touches could be judi
ciously introduced. He had done SO in
this instance.
Miss Stratton glared at him indig-
nantly. Here was insult added to in
jury.
can that have to say is, that I do
not consider the picture likeness, and
must decline to take it." she said, reso-
lutely.
'Do you mean, madam, that you de-
cline to pay for it 2"
Certainly, sirl Icannot be expected
to throw away hundred dollars on a
caricature such as this, she replied, in
pignantly.
Mr.. Blender then proposed to refer the
question of the likeness to any persons
whom she might select; and Miss STRAIT
ton Immediately sent across the street for
the grocer and his wife, with whom she
had dealt for score of years.
''Now, Mr.. Green" said she, as soon
as they entered, "just look at this pic
tue, and tell me if you could ever have
imagined that it was intended for me 2"
Mr.. Green smiled with recognizing
smile, but receiving an admonitory nudge
from his wife, looked solemn and doubt
ful, and shook his head.
"Lorln said Mrs. Green. "Why, you
don't lnean to say, Miss. stratton, as it
was ever intended for YOUR
'sAIr. Blender calls it likeness" said
Miss 5tratton, with sarcastic bitterness,
"and expects me to pay one hundred
dollars for it as such. ] call it carica-
| ture. Look at the smirk. and the head