Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-27
Gales aud Sketehes.
LOST ART AND WEALTH.
By. W. WATSON.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. 10

BYLJ. w. WATSON.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. Ia
THE furniture of the cabin consisted OF
bunk, which served as bedstead, and
upon which was strewsd a number of bear
skins and several colored blankets, while q
single bench and permanent table stood
under the only opening intended as q
window. while fire burned in the center
of the floor, which was paved with small
stones.
sIn one corner a curtain of deer skins
bung so that whatever was behind it got
the light from the window hut was hidden
from any one who might enter the door or
was in the apartment. As far as deer
skins and bear skins could give the place
an air of warmth and comfort. they were
there. but there was little else except a
rifle and a shot gun standing in corner
and few articles of apparel upon the
walls.
II soon made the tenant of this abode
aware of my misfortune, and received
from him an unwillingly given invitation
to seat myself on the bench. while he did the
same upon the bunk. found him to be
of my own nationality, and we quickly
got into conversation and freely questioned
each other. OF course expressed my as
Punishment at the fact of finding any set
| tier in this wild and desolate region, and
asked the man how he came there.
81 am an artist he said, and came
here to be at rest and paint picture that
will astonish the world
81 looked at the man in blank astonish-
ment Was he insane? No; he spoke
without evidence of it. and vet as l gazed
into his wild, dark eyes. | saw there the
glare of the maniac.
'''Have you painted your picture? l
asked.
"'Yes have been here three years.
he said, and have just finished it. But |
have another object now in remaining
here
May ask where the picture is?"
responded, still looking at the man as a
lunatic.
"He pointed to the curtain of deer skins
"Will you allow me to see it?" asked,
hesitatingly.
without word he strobe toward the
curtain and threw it aside. Heavens! shall
| ever forget that moment? think that
know something about art. | was in
tended for that profession, and have writ
ten much. and been highly commended by
artists and the press for my published
criticisms, but until that moment | never
knew what art was. had no need to ask
the subject. l stood before the living,
breathing reality. 1t was no picture; it
was Christ before Pilate-nOt the material
Christ. man such as had seen before,
but the only realization of the spiritual
the only picture of our Saviour ever
painted.
"For minutes stood speeches. in the
very presence, and then, in very helpless
ness. fell upon my knees. How long | re-
manned so do not know. The last re-
member was seeing the picture - if
picture it was-fade away in misty light ::
the next. found myself lying on the bunk
with the painter standing over me, with
folded arms and grim smile. as though
enjoying the effect he had created. The
curtain was down and the picture hidden.
| Vainly pleaded for another view of the
sublime work; vainlv made pro misses ;
praised-it was beyond 'flattery-it was
useless. was only told sternly, in reply.
that must depart; that | could remain
there no longer. | endeavored to prolong
the time by conversation, and asked the
painters name and antecedents He re-
piled that he had no name, and that his
past was only this: He had loved madlv,
absorbingly, and had been rejected be-
cause of his poverty He had no source of
wealth but his profession. and to that he de-
termined to appeal; but some impulse for
which he could not account babe him seek
solitude for his work, and he had wan
4 Il A. Il, -
he had lost that incentive to art, he had
achieved wealth-fabulous weath-bv an
other source; and. in the summer he
would return to France and marry
Had he any objection to tell how he
had achieved that wealth? No, none
whatever He had discovered a gold
mine near his hut-not merely mine,
but almost boundless field OF nuggets
See, and he uncovered in q corner, al
most at his feet, pile of five bushels or
more of gold nuggets, none of which
could have weighed less than half a
pound.
81 gathered these in less than week, ,
he said carelessly, and there's millions
there waiting for me. Come, you must
60
My brain reeled Wealth untold
Marvellous art. Must | 90 and leave
them-go perhaps to die in the snow and
ice before reaching civilization, and re-
turning with aid to share these wondrous
treasures? No, Rather would | use vio-
lence. even unto death, to secure what
thought was my rightful share of this
treasure. | sprang to my feet, drew my
revolver, and shouted:
"tBase man, | admit y our great genius.
do not envy you your wondrous wealth,
but you would turn me out to die. will
kill YOU before will depart unsatsfed'
81 know you would he said calmly,
with sheer. and have provided for it,
Your revolver is unloaded as is your rife.
During your Inconsistencies did it. and
also took your ammunition. am fully
armed displaying his pistol. You must
Immediately depart Twill blindtold you
and lead you away from this place Do
not return as you value your life. Come
but without ammunition shall starve
to death on the route pleaded.
81 will give you food for ten days.
1t is in that knapsack. There is blanket
and here a bandage for your eyes. Come :,
II was forced to submit He lead me.
as neGr as can tell. about three miles
from the cabin. seated me on a rock, and
without a word departed. | tore the
bandage from my eyes. He was not with
in sight. In five days reached the fort