The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-03-06
A LEGEND.

Mdny years ago, in the little town
of Dort, in Germany, were two
large, unpaipted, dreary looking
old bouses standing directly oppo-
site each plher. One was the home
OF the aged Hermann Desseldorf
and his gentle daughter, Bertha,
no was the pride OF the village,
and her fathers only solace, her
checlful pIeSence lighting up the
dark old house like ray OF sun
slime.
The npighboriRg dwelling was
occupied by one Jacques Lambert,
"A painter by profession. He was
an italian by birlb, very retiring
in his manner. making few friends
and seemingly caring for none.
His oUly companion was a poor,
half.witted lad, Paul Laroni, whom
he employed in the character OF a
servant.
The two had come into the place
together several years before and
Immediately taken NJ their resi-
dencc in the old house, hui no one
knew anything OF their previous
history, unless it might be Her
mann DeSSpldof mud his lovely
daughter. For, strange to SAY,
Bertha DpsseldOrl, the heile OF The
whole village. who bad seen rich
baronS ut her feet, loved he dark,
stern man better than al other
suitors, aud was his ailianced bride /;
while he ia turn worshipped her
with all the GercenesS OF his Italian
nature.
Many lines in The day did her
presence brighten his lonely studio
aud her light form linger beside
him, watching bis skillful fingers
as the beauleOus creations grew
beneath them, or gazed on the al.
most angelic beauty of the poor
natural as he sat at bis masters
feet.
About this time came news of
great exhibition 10 be held ut the
neighboringcity of Antwerp, where
he who produced the best repre-
sentalion of the "Death aud suffer
ines of our Savior" to be placed
in the cathedral, should receive
piize OF great value. Some OF the
best artists OF the day we're en-.
gagged in the contest, aud great
would DC the honor to the victor.
jacques Lambert determined to
win the prize. Closely he allied
himself TO the task late in the
night his lamp was seen burning
through the window of his studio,
and early in the morning he might
he found at his work.
But as day by day passed, each
one bringing nearer the exhibition,
he became almost deSpairing Tor
as yet he bad beeu unable TO create
on the canvass no cOuntenance be
deemed q worthy likeness to our
Savior. lie grew pale and haggard,
aud in vain poor Bertha strOve to
win him from the project. One
day as sue stood by his side lock-
ing 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
wom5nly sweetness aud perfect IN.
noceuce, sue Sutldeuly exclaimed
"Take Paul for a modelw "a
Quickly jacques glanced at the
face of the unfortunate. and wildly
exclaiming: 'Wby did not think
of that myself y be fell back in his
chair for a moment motionless. His
fierce looks quite terrified the mild
Bertha; bet soon recovering he
addressed her in his usual manner.
"And mnst send you away from
me, cara mid,' he muTnured, softly.
'sY0ur sweet eyes come between
me and my work, aud have so
much TO be dOue.7
She pressed her soft lips to his
forehead, and quietly stole away.
alter this he came in every day
for moment 10 see her, bat always
babe her not 10 conc 10 him until
his picture vas fuiShcd Tor moth.
ing must now disturb him FROM bis
work.