The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-12-02
STATIONS PICTURE.
A TIME WHEN THE GREAT WAR SEC
RETARY GREW FEARFULLY ANGRY.

A TIME WHEN THE GREAT WAR SEC
RETARY GREW FEARFuLLY ANGRY.
An Artist Portrayed Him in a Lilac
Colored Coat and Aroused His Ire
Painting the Death of President Lin
coin.
During the winter of 1867 New York
artist who had executed fine painting
representing the death of President Lin
coin brought it to Washington and placed
it in one of the committee rooms of the
Capitol, his object being to obtain life sit
ings from some of the parties whose por-
traits were included in the group sur
rounding the deathbed of the dying presi-
dent, the portraits having been painted
from photographs. One of the most con-
spicuous portraits in the group was that
of Edwin NJ. Stanton, secretary of war,
who was represented as standing few
feet from the head of the bed, towards
which his head was TUNED, q full profile
view of his face being visible His left
arm was thrown behind him, and in his
hand he held paper supposed to be q
SSAtthSC IIltSy BUELL.. t1lS
artist had represented him in a lilac coat
and drab pantaloons, of fashionable
cut and az unlike the loosely fitting gar.
mcnts Of dark cloth which he usually
wore as it would seem possible to make
them. So confident were those who saw
the picture that Mr.. Stanton would DO
very angry when he saw himself por-
traycd in such ridiculous costume, that
the artist was urged to repaint it before
he shonld visit the room; but this advice
was unleeded.
PAINFULLY sIGNIFIGANF
Mr., Stanton finally called at the roeHa
to give the artist the desired citing,
Taking a seat In q largo armchair, he
looked earnestly at tho picture, which
was then rapidly approaching compile
ton. Fer a moment the deep silence
which pcrvaded the room was painfully
significant, It was finally broken by Mr..
Stanton, who uttered o most emphatic
and indignant protest against being repre-
scented in q fashionable and fancy cos
tune, SO totally different from that in
which he was usually attired. Sand
whoever heard" said he, "of a cabinet
minister wearing lilac coat and irab
pantaloons?' These were his precise
words, AS he proceeded he grew fear
fully angry, and hnaliy rose 70 his feet.
His face was almost purple, and his burly
frame auivered with rage. His wratf,
was truly volcanic; For several minutes
he held undisputed monopoly Of the situa:
ton, for no one present had the temerity
to interrupt him.
The artist seemed paralyZed with aston
ishment, not unmingled with fear, and
leaned against the marble mantel for sup
port. His left hand gEagped his palette
and brushes, and his arm hung poHerless
by his side, while his face was of an ashy
paleness, After Mr.. Stanton had given
full expression to his feelings, and his
anger had, consequently, become some
what Modified, friend of the artist,
who fortunately happened to be present,
took seat by his side and entered into
conversation with him, but found it i'm
possible to convince him that he had not
been grossly insuited. what would
you thinks said he, eff old Mr. Wclles,
who sits by the bedside, was represented
in knee brooches and with buckles ON
his sboessn II should think, y was the
reply, s:that the artist had committed an
objectionable anachronisIn, which he has
not done in your case; for though he has
taken q teense ia the dEaping Of your
portrait, he has strictly adhered to the
costume of the day, while knee brooches
and shoe buckles belong to a bygone
period "
II A BETTER HUMoR.
Hs tasda 40 FepEy Pnt remained silent
for several minutes. Finally, turning to
the artist, he said: ::That, sir is your
painting, and you can do whatever you
please, with 1t; but will never indnrse
its accuracy or give you sitting until
you repaint the drapcry Of my portrait. {"
After making this emphatic declaration
he was again silent for some minutes,
wheH the artist, who bad recovered his
possession, fentured to speak to him
and state why he had thought It advis-
able to drape his portrait in colors 80
Offensive to him, assuring him that his
sole object in doing 30 was to avoid the
UNPLEASANT monotony inseparable from a
group of male portraits clad i'm the I'M
picturesque costume of our time. He
also assured him that if he would give
hin4 auother sitting ne yauid repaint the
drapery of HIS figure III any style and
color he might suggest.
With this assurance Mr.. Stanton
seemed perfectly satisfied, and immedi-
ately took chair, where he sat patiently
and quietly for an hour while the last
touches were added to the face of his por-
trait. During this sitting he conversed
very pleasantly, and was as gentle and as
aniable ~ p little child. At times his
rugged features would Delighted up by a
happy smile, which seemed like glcam
of sunshine after a terrific storm. On
the day following the events above mar
rated Mr.. Stanton visited Brady's gallery
by appointment, where he was met by
the artist who had so unintentionally
offended him, aud stood for a photograph
from which his figure was entirely re-
painted, to the great satisfaction Of him
self and his family:-Ben: Perley Poore in
Boston Budget.