The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-06-08
pREs1pENrIAI poRrRA1rs.
{ interesting Studies of DiaE, Barrlos ant
Gnardfa.

Speaking thus, friend and the writer |
passed the threshold of noted local
artist, whose small and unpretentious
studio is perched on the summit of the
city's fashionable hill. The object of |
the visit was to see the portraits OF some |
Hispano-American presidents.
81 will begin with the greatest OF all,
Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico"
said the smiling and co urteous artist, |
and he placed on the easel the portrait
of the distinguished soldier. 1t was
remark able likeness. There was some- |
thing martial in the bearing; the uni
form and scar on the face adding still
more firmness to the already rGsolute |
expression. The type revealed Indian
blood; yet the dimple in the chin, the
light in the eye, softened the sterner
traits.
"Did you not sketch some OF the sur
rounding views OF the capitol OF Mex
ico?n
81 did not; wished to 90 in the di-
rection of Buena Vista, just about three
miles from the city, but my friends
would not allow me to go there alone,
fearing that l might meet with some of
the gangs of highwaymen who infest
the suburbs of the city. Though the
government had 900 of them executed
in summary way during the same
year, they are unable to check them,
and 1t Is dangerous TO 70 out of the city
without being well protected"
"Here is the hero of the hour, Rufino
Barrios," remarked the artist, az he
placed another canvas on the easel"
"What a fendish fsceW exclaimed
the friend; "that man is going to
haunt me-"
The artist amiled at tho implied COM
pliment to his realistic power.
The impression made on the mind by
the striking portrait is not easily eflaced.
There il something Turing in it; some
thing partaking of the snake and the
tiger. The color, somewhat of q copper
tint, gives the face deathlike appear
ance; the heavy, broad chin indicates
his decision of character; his straight
nose rather adds character to his face;
his lips, extremely sensual, give credit
to the numerous stories afoat
about the tyrannical way in
which he satisfied his pas
sions; his pointed head Is strongly indi-
cative of Indian blood; his beard and
hair are coarse; his eyes have fearful,
heartless expressions; they are 30 pene-
trating even on the cloth that it seems
they can pierce through anything. 1t
is stern face, showing intellect, SUI
rene contempt for other people, In
spring dread, and fascinating at the
same time. You feel that you are in
til 10 presence of type, character;
you are attracted toward it as the bird
toward the snake that charms it into
9 mar. You see engraved on the face of
hat man an indomitable will, natu-
raj brutal instinct.
"Barrios," remarked the artist, che.
his good qualities. Sometimes he liked
to pose like another Solomon. For had
ample: a woman pawned her jewelry,
which was very fine, tor a small sum of
money. The jew, knowing how valu
able IL was, denied having it when she
called for it. In her aitllction she ad.
piled to Barrios for protection and JUS
tice. After hearing her story he told her
to sit down and wait. In the meantime
he sent an officer with few soldiers to
bring the Jew into his room. AS soon as
he entered he ordered him to sit down
at table and write TO his wife to remit
the .jewelry to the bearer. He then
rendered the note to the
aide-de-csmp in service, who re.
turned with the.contested jewelry in
short time. Barrios gave the jewelry
back to the woman, and then ordered
the usurer and mako him pay Sl0,0 900 to
the poor. The same man, who could
be so Just to poor woman, could
smoke his cigar quietly, sitting at his
own window, looking ut the execution
on the plaza of II poor fellows accused
of treason, and then have for two or
three days the kind-hearted ladies who
petitioned for the remittance OF the som
tence hanging up in hammocks III his
yard, exposed to the inclemencies ofthe
sun and night air."
"Dld he pay any regard to his per-
sonal appearanceW
"Not al all; he did not care for good
clothes. You saw him at his best dur
ing his trip to the United States, but
when he was at home he neglected
his appearance very much. He dressed
generally like the middle class; he
wore the short Jacket and Sandana with
silk fringesY,
about him."
eyes; he was most Just in money
matters; indeed, he was exceedingly
scrupulous. He would rather pay more
than he owed than defraud any one
When l sont him some pictures with
amozo to show them 70 MIN, he took
out OF his pocket So and handed II L
him, though the general price for such {
message there is only % cents, Indeed
i think he cared for money solely foi
the power 1t gave him.
"Had he large familyH
ayes, seven or eight children, be
sides Mrs Barrlos' little ones, for whom
he showed deep attachment. Undoubt
eddy there was true affection between
Barrios and his children, for hisIson An
tonic could scarcely restrain his emo
ton in conversation about the pictur
of his father
"Perhaps you would like to sec
handsome Guatemalian woman?
Saying so, tho artist took out the pict
ure offs lovely Guatemalian, with sue
life.liko expression as the visitor
never had seen before. They gaze
upon a dashing military man wit
sufficient African blood TO tell eve
IN picture. 10 was the late Pres
dent Guardia, of Costa Rica, or sue
unenviable iame-the Same who die
owing England millions for the famou
Costa Rica railroad; the same VIII
never paid even his own personal debt
whenever he could avoid IT,
"He was the little Napoleon of Cen
tral America" said tho artist. "H
made himself president. He was
bareiooted peon, who was picking cole
beans with his wife, Dona Amelia" ant
the artist put next TO Guardia'
portrait the likeness of q ine-lookin
lady, exceedingly white, but witt
sad expression. ale bt
came first soldier and then
president, through coup d'etat. II
gained the adhesion of II patriots, whC
having procured sufficient pistols an
machetee Qong knives), hired man 70
that purpose, who drove them in
wagon all covered up with zacste O
green grass. When they passed by th
Quartet or barracks the driver called th
sentinel and told him to ask the CON
mandant II he would not buy som
xacate; that he (the driven would sell |
at half-prlco on account of his havinl
10 ride far out into the country. Tn
sentinel having inquired of the com
mander, who replied In the affirmative
the gates OF the quartet were throw
open, tho mozO drove In, the mel
jumped out, and by killing the com
mauoaut and every one who Opposed
thom, they obtained possession OF TN
barracks, and Guardia proclaimed him
self president of Costa Rlca,"