The Dickinson press., 1889-05-25
GRETA's ARTIST.
The First Important Work of Ono Of the
Most Famous of Painters.

GRETA'S ARTIST.
The First Important Work of Ono Of tile
Most Famous of Painters.
Two hundred and more years ago there
was not far from leyden, but nearer still to
Leydendorp. II little hamlet of eight or ten
cottages. each one more beautifully. shin
ingly clean and well kept than the others.
In one of them, on n certain bright morn,
ing. sat Nine. Teresa Herman, preparing with
her own dainty hands the dinner for her hlS-
band and herself and the only child of the
house, Greta, n little maid of seven years.
as it not time for me to take tho bread
and wine to Mother Wander Hydcnf" asked
Greta presently, for her small chubby fin
gers were tired holding the knife with which
she was helping her mother prepare the fruit
and vegetables.
The mother smiled, well she knew tho little
maid preferred tripping through the hamlet,
meeting perhaps u neighbours child for com
pnny to helping with tho household duties.
however light. But sho unfastcned Greta's
brown linen apron, tied on her small red cap,
and put the basket containing dainties for the
sick woman on her arm.
Nov, my Gretchen" she said, taking her
hand, "go not into any house but that of old
Mother Wander Elydcn. Thou knowest
would not have thee to run from ncighbor to
neighbor like a beggar maid"
This seemed a very reasonable charge; yet
Greta looked troubled and disappointed, and
stood irrcsolute after tho mother had given
her a parting kiss.
May l cross old Gerretz's doorstep, my
mot.erf' she asked presently. "Oh, just for
n brief visitl l will be back in timc to fill
my fathers mug and carry his platter"
why art thou so fond Of going to that
house, my childa True, poor Mime. Gerretz
carefully trained those young people during
her lifetime; but sho is no more, and old
Jacques Gcrretz is drinking more than ever.
fear it isno longera tit place for theo to go"
Yet the fond mother yielded to her en-
treaty, and Grcta went off with bounding
steps. She camo back in time, as sho had
promised; but there was n restless look about
her, as If sho constantly expected some one.
This look was explained, when about dusk,
tho lad Paul Gerrctz, accompanied by his
sister Louise, came to Nine. Herman's door.
Tho boy brought as a present for Mmc.
Teresa u portrait of little Gretchen, taken on
the SLY, when he could coax the child into
their house. 1t was her very chubby little
self. She was really n beautiful child. and
the young artist had given the delicately cut
features n most natural expression.
Nine. Herman was charmed. Paul" she
cried, thou must DO a painter"
"Alas!' answered ate boy gloomily, what
have | to become IL painter2 | long to go to
Leyden and learn under Master Jacques van
S~wanenberg, but my father will not hear it.
Not that ! would listen TO my father" con-
tinued the boy, ~passionatcly, clinching his
fist, FOR | will be n painter let him say
what he will. But he threatens ME that if
| run away he will punish my sister every
day till | return. My good Louise, who has
been IL mother to us all, how could | endure
tho thought of her receiving my hlowsa"
And | tell him." said tho loving sister,
that, while | would willingly bear tho blows,
yet it would not be right for him to disoboy
his parent; and we must wait and hope for a
better day"
Nine. Herman felt the deepest interest in
the young genius and his loving Louise, and
set her woman's wits to work to help them.
paul Garrett" she said to him one day,
''dost thou remember thy sainted mothers
facet"
"Ah, lady" he cried, chow could l forget
a face SO dear2"
II want you to paint me a portrait of her
as you remember her." said Paul's friend.
And, in a few days time, she supplied him
with materials from Legion, so that his pic
ture might be as good as he could mako it.
Paul now spent oil his spare moments in
the little loft over the mill which was his
studio, and Louise did many a task for him
in order to give him more time to paint. But
it was some months before tho boy could
take it to his friend finished.
Nine. Teresa was more than satisfied, she
was wonderstruck. Take it homo, my chill.
dren," she cried, and place it where your
father will sec it as soon as lie enters the
house, but say nothing about it,"
By a happy and most unusual chance
Jacques Gerretz came home sober that even
ing, and when his eyes fell upon Paul's paint
ing, he was completely overwhelmed. HI
burst into Il flood of tears while gazing on til,
tender, reproachful eyes, the careworn brow
and sad mouth of tho vito he had once de
votedly loved.
From that moment his consent was gaincl
to Paul's career as all artist; and thus, not b.
unflial conduct, not by deserving his loving
sister, but by the patient exhibition of hi
genius, little Paul became tho famous painter
called by his comrades and known to all tin
world MS Rembrandt.