The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-10

H. ~ - barbaric. OF this re-
Tnarlabe painting the catalogue gives brief
"Tbe Aztec Sacrifice. Adolphe Bertiiliorcs,
1s7-.The only work known 10 be extant by
the brush OF this artist. Presented to the So
ciety by H. Gascon Nalentin, Paris"
But there is a romance between the lines OF
this short description.
II was tlc evening OF the initial performance
OF Les Preciuses Rdicules" with the unri.
walled Coquelin-the evening Of the day OF
the opening Of the Salon 81 the Palace de In
dustrie The foyer Of the Theater trnncals
presented a brilliant aud moving scene. stand
ing ID groups about the salon, or sirohlu2 IN
twos and thrccs between the busts OF the Ia
NOUS French dTamatists that lined the sides ui
the gallery, the pleasure seekers OF farls
laughed Ed the situations Of the play or DIS
cussed the merits Of the chefs d'ouvrc that day
shown in the famous exhibition.
In that crowded lobby all save ono were In
their gayest humor. Al the end OF the salon,
near Houd0n's statue Of Notaire, stood Adolphe
Bertillieres aud GasCon AHlentln. III. Val
entin. lately returned from America, much 10
his delight had met NJ Bertilicrcs but a few
moments before They had now passed from
the light greeting and had drifted into serious
conversation.
The opening Of the Salon that day marked
the third successive year that nj. Berilleres
had faced disappointment Ten years previous
he had made lis first venture with the brush
Since that time he bad been building many AR
castles, which lac saw tumble 10 the ground
lie had not been enabled to crafty his ambi-
ti0n-to stand before some masterpiece hung on
the line ia the great gallery, surrounded by
C0nnoisseurs, and say eXultRntly TO himself
4" An, that is mine!"
The sturdy little NJ. Yalentiu, leaning upon
his cane, looked up cheerily into the sensitive
face OF his artist friend.
"Ah, well, my dear Adolphe," said he, with
your gifts and yet greater perseverance all must
come right. You must reach success at last"
Indeed, my good Nalentin, j have not
lacked the perseverance" replied the younger
man.
Just as ] know my son. Listen IL is the
prediction OF GascOn Nalentin that Nj Adophe
Bertillieres will yet stand in the front rank OF
modern painters. His 1ellow-artists will then
take him by the hand and soicitously inquire
after his health. The fine people whose car
Tiages roll down the Champs Eysees aud
through the Bots, who sean each other from
their boxes at the opera, who give tho grand
balls in their hotels, VIII flock 20 Mousieurs
atelier and Monsieur will put them Of with
u wave OF the hand or consent 10 do them a
study at an enormous consideration. Eh, mine
Adophe2 and the little man laughing heart u y,
patted his friend on the shoulder AZ which
his companion flushed and smile lit up his
pale face.
But. cnme,o NJ. Kalcntin ratified on, "lct us
leave NJ. Coqueiin to his triumph and seek the
quiet Of my apartments. There we can talk,
aud Pierre viii serve bottle OF J'okay and a
cigaret. Besides, ] have some rare things
that have just brought back from America.
Come"
Passing hs arm through that OF his friend,
be hurried him down the staircase and into the
Rue Richeiicu, past the long line Of waiting
carriages aud groups OF idicIs, by the Elittering
A 1 A. az " oil @
rooted arcade Of the Galerie d'Orleans they
found themselves IN the Rue de Riyoi, down
which they were soon being driven in facre
In few moments the vehicle pulled up Will
o jerk before a house in the Rue Castiglone, of
tie Place AendOme. The two friends entered
and resting ia nj EaleutiB's reception room
smoked their cgarets aud slipped their wine
Soft rugs welcomed their feet and the ruby
glow Of an oriental lantern sOOthed their eyes
after Tie glare OF the theater and the street.
That NJ. haentin was much OF a WANDERED
the room flied with curi0s aud Bouvcuiu
clearly testified. Adophe's eyes swept ovcl
the rich haugIuRs and the tasteful frcsc0iug
Adjoining the walls were two genuine pieces
from the brushes OF Rembrandt aud Titan
tic bead OF a woman, and q group of woodland
nymphs. The latest French PAINTERS, too wen
well represented TIE contents OF The apaIt
ment were scattered about with the fancy
the collector u Che bizarre aud rare, rathu
than with The taste Oi asa aesthetic.
From over q bookcase stuffed with OHt-Of-
date works aud old original manuscript an
African buiialo's bead looked down. Zull
shield, spear and some assegais hung unde
fhe heHd-d OF samoan warrior. on thi
white mantcl sqnatted a figure Of Buddha
with crossed legs aud tWirliHg thumbs ans
above ID were punched a number OF MalEl
creeses, yaiaghans aud Damascus blades
Venus. a piece Beauvais tapestry, an oh
Dutch clock aud iull suit Of Miauesa
Hrmor occupied the corners. Crowded on IA
shelves Of the several cabinets were little Chi
nese idols, Japanese dishes IN blue and COL
figuring, small stuffed iguana. some ancieu
pottery, mummy'E lO0i-On every side the ey
with curious and beautiful things, ancient am
modern, from every country, almost every capi
tal OF the globe.
Pray Tell me my good Yalentin." sal
Adolphc az the peaceful influence OF the plac
stole over him. why you are such rover"
Oh, mine Adolphe, j have the spirit 1
move, that ls all can say. j think 90 myse
This voyage shall be my last But mo-
love my Paris, yet canu0t stay long. VIII
even nov ] am thinking Of going back
America Mexico, which 4 was forced I
leave too soon.
The land q the Aztec" said hdolphe, =,
toctgelg. Pray, what have you brOugi
from that ancient country"
=" An many things. Let me show them
And rising H. Naientlu crossed the floor 20
g. be seated on Eu ottoman near.
See Something unique, that with muc
difficulty ] secured" de held in his hand
o miniature idol, sitting ON @ pedestal. i
finy fists were ccuChed before It's hide0us FAC
Think, mine Adolphe. think OF falif
down aud WOrshiping such a thing as tai
IL b. IetzcatlipuCa, the Aztec god Of hell"
The artist took the ugly thing in his bar
and examined ID closely. have read 90,
deal abUut the Aztec" be observed, and
their sacrifices before this monster aud "A
war god"
"Ob, yes lie was called Huitzilpoeh,
Here s q photograph Of the stone on while
many poor wretches were sacrificed 10 Il
sun Ia the name Of the gods The stone Is e
hibited DO the museum " the City Of Mcxi
to-day"
"Ah, Il must be a curiosity. indeed"
Would you believe IT, Adolphc2 traditi
has that 10000 people were sacrificed CA
year. Tho victims were made 90 fight wi
wooden swords against Aztec warriors fui
armed, When the poor devils had been oyC
powered their hearts were torn out aud offer
mp 10 the SUM-"
"What a horrible religion" said Adolpl
much impressed. " IL gives q chilI 20 TIM
of the fcudish acts done in its name W.
women ever sacri6ced2"
haye heard a story replied the travels
Hs he sank back again on bis divan. 3" 10 q
effect that a daughter OF M0Etczuma Ill u
sacrificed ou that very stone tho picture
which I Aayc just shown you. After