Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-05-30
JACQUES LAMBERT
The Legana Of Gernan Palater.

AkaGly years ago. I'D u llttsS L1Wa G
bort, in Germany, were two large
imprinted, dreary looking, old house
standing directly opposite each other
One was the house OF the aged Her
mann Desselflorf and his gentl
. daughter, Bertha, who was the pridl
of the village and her fathers onl,
solace, her cheerful presence iightin,
up the dark old house like ray o
/ sunshine
The neighboring dwelling was oc
cnpied by one Jaqnes Lambert, pain
ter by profession. He was an Italian
by birth, very retiring in his mannel
: making few friends and seemingl,
caring for none. His only companion
was employed in the character of /
servant.
II The two had come into the place
, together several years before and i'm
medlately taken up their residence in
the old house, but no one knew any
thing of their previous history, unless
|. il might be Hermann Desselorf and
his lovely daughter. For strange to
say, Bertha Desselorf, the belle of the
whole village, who had seen rich bar
ons at her feet, loved the dark stern
man better than all her other suitors
and was his affianced bride-while he
in turn worshipped her with all the
tierceness of his Italian nature.
Many times in the day did her pres
ence brighten his lonely studio and her
| light form linger beside him watching
his skilled fingers as the beautious
creations grew beneath them, or gazed
on the almost angelic beauty CT the
poor natural as he sat at his masters
feet.
/ About this time came news of a
great exhibition to be held at the
neighboring city of Antwerp, where
he who produced the best representa-
ton of the sDeath and Sufferings of
Our Savior to be placed in the cathe
dral, should receive prize of great
value. Some OF the best artists of the
day were engaged in the contest and
great would be the honor to the victor.
Jacques Lambert determined to win
the prize. Closely he applied himself
to the task. Late in the night his
lamp was seen burning through the
the window of his studio, and early in
the morning he might be found at his
work. But as day by day passed, each
one bringing nearer the exhibition,
he became almost despairing; for us
yet he had been able to create ON the
| canvass no eounten;lnce he deemed
worthy likeness TO our savior. lie
grew pale and llaggard, and in vain
poor Bertha strove TO win him from
the project. One day as she stood by
his side looking down at Paul, as he
sat gazing up into her face with his
beautiful eyes, his long golden curls
falling on each side OF a face of almost
wotnanly sweetness and perfect inno-
cence, she suddenly exclaimed, Take
Paul for models"
Quickly Jacques glanced at the face
of the unfortunate, and wildly exclaim-
ing @Why did not think of that N.Y.
self 2" he fell back i'll his chair for a
moment motionless. His fierce looks
quite terrified the mild Bertha; but
soon recovering ne addressed her in
his usual manner.
"And must send you away from
me, Cara mia" he murmured softly
"Your sweet eyes come between me
and my work, and | have so much to
be DONE"
She pressed her soft lips to his fore
head and quietly stole away.
After this he came in every day for
moment to see her but always babe
her not to come to him until his pict- |
ure was finished, for nothing must
now disturb him from his work.
He daily grew pale and thin, and
his wild, dark eyes burned with a |
strange fire. His altered appearance |
WAS noticed by the villagers; and, |
fn1 Ii, ,s.fr 1o.l
them, with their usual superstitious
fears, to the belief that he held COM |
munication, with evil spirits. All
avoided him as much as possible; and
one more bolder than the rest further |
confirmed their suspicious by alleging
that one night-crouching under the /
window, led. by curiosity-he heard |
cries and groans issue from within. |
Terrified almost out of his senses, he |
buried away as fast It's his trembling
limbs could carry him, and after that
on no consideration would near the
place again.
Poor Paul LarOni was missing too
and Jacques, fearing he might have
wandered away in the forest and lost
his path, offered liberal reward. to
any one who would bring him back |
He himself could not lose ithe time
rom his picture to join i'll the search;
but party, headed by Iiermana Des.
seldorf, secured the adjacent forest and
even dragged the river, but found no
trace save one of the boys silk hand
kerchiefs, which they found near the
river bank Public opinion was that
the boy had been drowned, and the
body borne away with the current to-
ward the sea.
Bertha, in her anxiety for her lover,
watched his studio window hour by
hour, hoping to catch, now and then, a
glimpse of him at his work; but to no
avail. Finally one day he omitted his
usual visit to her; the light burned in
his window the whole night through,
and, fearing that he might be ill, she
ventured to disobey his command
and, entering the house softly, she
crept to his studio door. She heard
him moving about within, and thus,
being assured OF his safety, she sat
down by the door to wait until he
should come out.
Suddenly a low wall, full of human
agony, smote her ear, and struck with
terror, she remained for moment
then Immediately follow
ing it she heard wild laugh and the
voice of Jacques exclaiming: f.
The very expression Oh! few
more such and my work will be com
plete?
Cautiously she lifted herself to her
knees and peered through the key-hole
A moment thus, then, with Il piercing
shrek, she fell back insensible.
Jacques came hastily out, terror
ON his countenance, and,
locking the door behind HIM, bore her
home and laid her on her couch. Ten
1erly he watched over her until she
opened her eyes, but never again was
she conscious.
In her wild delirium she raved of !
.he days of her childhood-of beauti-
iul flowers and FLASHING rivulets; but
aught of Jacques mingled not with
murmurings.
On the tenth day she died; and the I
same night camethe news OF Jacques Z
Lambert's S triumph. Truly, it was a !
picture, and filed all who
Deheld it with awe and admiration c
1t was the Savior on the Cross"
Blood was streaming from His side
His hands and feet we're fearfully lac :
Grated by the cruel nails, and His eyes
we're turned toward heaven with such
/ look of patient suffering and agon-