Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-05-28

w nom Is II byE
Myself. l am pupil OF Albrecht
Durer
'Humph! That's no &C pmmenda-
tion- He is only an engraver" The
general opinion at that time was that
Durer WAS first-class engraver, but
no painter.
Indeed, sir, the great Rtpaael at
Rome thinks that DuIer las inaugu-
ratei new era in ne-man art, an
swerel Duhobret.
Well, perhaps so; l don't pretend to
pass an opinion myself. L only say what
| hear. But what do you call your
picture?'
1T represents tie Abbey of New
bourg and tie surrounding landscape ,
What do you expect for it?' asked
the man OF business.
w hatever it Is worth. Whatever 1t
will fetch replied Duhobret, his hopes
sinking very CIV at the cold, indiffer-
ent tones of the auctioneer, vino really
understood Very little about paintings.
Il don't suppose you will get more
than five thalers for IT, but l will sell it
for you. What's your name?
Duhobret told him and then retreated
into a corner to watch the sale, which
WAS about to commence Several oil
paintings were disposed of-that seemed
to the poor artist much better than his
own-iit such low pr ces that he almost
deSpaired of getting as much as had
been intimated to him. At last his
picture was announced.
Here is fine view of the Abbey of
Newbourg, by Duhobret, one of Durer S
pupils. What is bid for this? Who bids
live thalers? Who bids three?'
Let me look at that picture said a
tall man in black, and as he pu ID
forward, several others, whose curiosity
was aroused and WHO took an interest
IN the sale. pushed closer around the
picture. In truth, it was well execu-
ted. The loTing was brilliant, and
the perspective was much nearer the
present state of perie iectlOn than were
most pictures of those times; yet Duho-
bret WAS unconscious of where its eX-
cellence lay, or he would have expected
much more than the paltry five thaler
which Lad been Intimated as its value.
Twenty thalers.' cried one, and in a
moment more sky seventy,
eighty and ninety were outbid by
the offer of 'one hundred thalers!'
Poor Duhobret was astonished. He
clasped his hands with joy. and with
uplIfted eyes, softly murmured, '1hank
Heaven
Five hundred came from the man
in black.
a murmur OF surprise and admira-
ton followed this jump, and the COM
petit rs began TO thin out 30 that only
three were left.
'One thousand thalersl' came from a
well-Rnown picture dealer.
Five thousandl' vociferated the man
IN black, with a clear, sonorous voice.
Then came a pause, while the pict-
ure dealer calculated whether his funds
would allow him TO bid any more.
six thousand thalersl' came at last,
Just as the auctioneer was about to
knock it down to the man In black.
Then you can't have it whispered
the later. adding in low tone, Ten
Ihousandl' and folded his arms, while
d CLEAN or triumph shot from his eyes,
as he saw the crestfallen picture dealer
backing out OF the crowd that pressed
eagerly around.
And where was Duhobret? He had
climbed up on box and stood like one
petrified, with his hands Cliisped, and
his face beaming with pleasure, until
several OF the spectators saw him anu
raised n loud laugh at his grotesqIe
appearance. Then lie got down and
moved toward the door, where he re-
manned until the end of the sale.
Then he presented himself before the
tall stranger. and taking off his hat
made low obelsance.
The man in black put his hand TO his
purse, which hung at his side. and
threw him a small silver coin, waving
his hand 10 ind cate that he wanted no
thanks.
Duhobret stopped, picked it up, and.
handing it back, said:
IF you Please, your honor, 1 am the
painter of the picture you have just
bought.
The tall man cOnsulted with the auc-
tioneer, then drew out a wallet anu
wrote.
on my banker for your money. Upon
presenting It you Will he pIid.'
When Duhobret took it. lie found
that it was the Count DunKlesbach VINO
had bou- lit his picture. lie WAS one of
til" richest mobiles and most munificent
a p irons in Germany.
Oyerwhelm d with JOY at such sud
den and unexpected good foItune. he
mas ened home to acquarnt his friends
with his altered circumstances, and re-
pay them +. the dis:nteres ted frien =
ship they had evincel toward him.
When he entered the room he ran
toward the old dame and her crippled
daughter, and, seizing each by the
hand, commenced to shake them as if
at work at p -.mphandle, exclaiming:
Congratulate me, my friends. l am
rich! am hapDyI'
They were astonished, and thought
the poor fellow had surely gone mad.
We'll, neighbor,' said the old dame,
don't shake the life out of me-
Then he explained all, and they glad
dehel his heart with their kind wishes.
But there was something moro that
ID Ihobret wanted.
My dear madam said he, you may
know now what has been my wish for
some time past in fact since hrst Ber-
tina came and ministered to me wien
| WAS sick. would wed her. know
she Will make good wife, for she has
already been so good to me. L will try
and make her good husband. What
say you? And what does Bertha say?
Will you be mine, Bertha?'
The old dame broke the silence which
followed this request.
Dear me, nelghbor; first you took
my breath away with your good news
and the rough shaking had, and now
you want my daughter! That's almost
too much to expect from AN old woman
vino is a.one In the word.
Hold, .herel / don't want to take
her away. We can all live together, and
1 will be good son to you; 50, mother
dear-for you knr you were almost
like Q mother to me grant my wish
Wen, if you can make such an ar
all L can say is. If Bertha
Is willing, take her. and may Heaven
bless you so saying. she turned toward