Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-24


,vbnn 4 frst stood Ia his presence. was |
NOT AZ all surprised that Others were |
,,,nveS IN n like manner. His were fnce !
and form that stood out. like those OF |
some heroic statue in the throng OF COM
mon mortals. - a. n,
The proving and recording OK tue VIII
was left entirely In the hands OF q ropu- |
fable LAWYER, who said that these formaii-
lies would not detain rs longer than |
week. .-,....
In New York before going 10 England.
since reaching America my time had been
ouite tiled with work until my entrance
upon the utter ISOLATION OF ny uncies
home. IL was my earnest desire 10 see
somethinr of the big metropolis on the
western Atlantic. Moreover, DIR. Earl had |
Advised me in his letters TO give haye, . |
chance 10 Know more OF life IN ms own |
country before bringing him TO England;
When at last the faithful old mute had
gone 10 his new home and we bad turned
our backs upon the s,,sn 20 nut Hitter tears
The thought OF its loneliness, now that ITS
master was dead and we were leaying ~ I
nerhaps forever, brorght sad feelings TO
nv heart. How calmly the ola pines
whispered together as we walked down the
road that morning shall not soon forget.
We reached the American me.topons
frst arrival there from England: rented
comfortable apartments on Fifth avenue
near Madison Square. As soon as hayel
had recovered from the fatigue and excite
ment of the trip we set about unpacklng
his uictures and getting them framed. Our
liqhtest room was reserved Tor o STUDIO. ana
the paintings were hung under hayeis
direction -,
home when we received an unexpected call
from q newspaper reporter. lie had
learned from an art dealer that we had
some remarkable old paintings. and hum
blv begged the privilege of looking at
them. We made him welcome, OF course,
but explained TO him that the collection
was wholly the work OF my cousin; VINO
was not vet old himself. In answer TO his
questions / assured him that the paintings
would not be exhibited in the National
| Academy, and that my cousins work had
| mayer appeared in any art exhibition what
| ever. AZ which he seemed greatly surprised.
Rayel was still shy of strangers, ana, as ne
was evidently little annoyed az the pres
epce of our visitor, shielded him from
| the need of taking any part In our con-
| versatlon.
The next morning an article appeared in
| one of the leading dailies which subjected
us TO glare of publicity not at all TO our
| taste.
IL went on to say that Signor Lanlon, a
young Spanish artist, had Just arrived IN
| New York and had taken apartments at No.
Fifth avenue. Lanion was the name
which appeared on our bill for picture
| framing, the clerk who had waited on US
| having taken il down incorrectly. n
| fortunately" the article continued. Sig
nor Lanion does not speak English and Tor
that reason the reporter was unable 10 IN
teryiew him."
The paper described Rayeps personal
charms at much length, and claimed the
credit of having discovered genius who,
although still youth, had done WORK
worthy of any acknowledged master.
We had deep respect for the influence OF
that newspaper before another week end
ed. Art managers, tailors, advertising
agents, auctioneers, and numerous men
and women, prompted by no mouVe put
idle curiosity, besieged IA until l bolted
our doors in dismay against all corners.
The mail, too, brought US missives OF vary
| ing import from persons who had read the
article. one OF which was polite letter
from Francis Paddington, Wall-street
broker whose name l had heard frequent
" during my American travels.
1T was not stated" said he, referring to
the newspaper article, whether or not
any of Signor Lannon's paintings are for
sale. II they are, would be glad to look
at them with a view TO making some pur-
chases for my art collection
The letter suggested an idea worth con-
siderlng. Rayel worked rapidly and had
already painted more pictures than we
could hang to advantage in any but the
| most liberal quarters. He was at a loss to
understand Just what was meant by selling
the pictures, but he was willing "a. sell
them il they were not to be destroyed-at
least some Of them. Accordingly ! wrote
| Mr.. Paddington, appointing an hour when
we would be glad to see him or his repre-
sentative at our rooms. The gentleman
himself did US the honor TO call. After
| looking Mt the paintings he ex-
pressed his willingness to buy the en-
| tire collection. / told him, however, that
we would not part with more than ten can
| vases, and he seemed glad TO buy even
that number at price which was so far IN
excess of our expectations that was loath
to accept it, Our beloved Woman ~
that was the title we had given RayePs
strangely conception-was among
Paddington. Rayel thought he could re-
produce it, and for days after 1t was gone
be made Intellectual efforts TO paint an
| other woman after the ideal of our hearts.
But, alas try as he would, that face never
came back TO his canvas. Many beautiful
faces were conjured by his masterful
touch but they were other faces and none
|
Rayel unhappy, and tears came to his eyes
when the Woman" was referred to- as If
he were mourning the loss of dear friend.
Our patron had conceived great liking
| for us and we were soon invited to visit
his house land meet few Of his friends
at dinner" 1t would give US an opportu-
nifty to see the Woman "-perhaps to buy
her back again-and we were strongly in
clined to take advantage of it. Our pa
tron's residence was one of the largest
and most elegant on Fifth avenue. 1t
was matter of common fame that
| his entertainments were the cause OF
more envy and heartburning in the fashion
! able sisterhood than any other events OF
the season. had some doubt about the
propriety of taking Rayel to such place,
! unaccustomed as he was TO the refnements
and conventionalities of fashionable life.
However, he had set his heart upon
going-he was 80 eager to see his beloved
pIcture-and / did not oppose his wish.
/ In writing our acceptance of the invitation
| / corrected Mr.. Paddington's error re-
| parding our name and explained the re-
| Christening we had received in the public
| prints.