The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-04
MURILLO'S SLAVE.

One beautiful summer morning, abou
the year 1880, several youths of Seville ap
preached the dwelling of the celebrated
painter Murillo, at which they arrived
nearly at the same time. After the usua
salutations they entered the studio Muril
10 was not yet there, and each of the pupil:
walked up quickly TO his easel to examine
If the paint had dried, or, perhaps, to ad
mire his work of the previous evening.
''Pray. gentlemen" exclaimed Isturitz
angrily, (which of you remained behind in
the studio last night2"
what an absurd question: replied Cor
dova. Don't you recollect that we all
came away together"
This is foolish jest, gentlemen" an
swered Isturitz. Last evening / cleaned
my palette with the greatest care, and now
it Is as dirty as if some one had used it all
night"
"Lookr' exclaimed Carlos. Here is q
small figure In the corner of my canvas,
and it is not badly done. / should like to
know who it is that amuses himself every
morning with sketching figures, some
times on my canvas, sometimes on the
walls. There was enc yesterday on your
easel, Ferdinand"
'It must be IsturitZ," said Ferdinand.
Gentlemen" replied Isturitz, 81 pro-
test"-
you need not protest." replied Carlos
awe all know you are not capable of
sketching such figure as that"
"At least" answered Isturitz II have
never made a sketch as bad as that of
yours; one would think you had done it in
t."
And my pencils are quite wet" said
Gonzalo, in his turn. Truly, strange
things go on here during the night"
"Do you not think, like the negro, Go
mez, that it is the Zombi who comes and
plays all these tricks?" said Isturitz
TRULY" said Mendez, who had not yet
spoken, being absorbed in admiration of
the various figures which were sketched
with the hand of a master in different
parts of the studio, ''if the Zombi of the
negroes draws in this manner he would
make beautiful head of the Virgin in my
Descent from the Cross"
With these words Mendez, with a care
less air, approached his easel, when an ex-
clamation of establishment escaped him,
and he gazed in mute surprise on his can
vas, Oh which was roughly sketched a
most beautiful head of the Virgin; but the
expression was so admirable, the lines so
clear, the contour SO graceful that, COM
pared with the figures by which it was en-
circled. it seemed as if some heavenly Wis
liant had descended among them.
"Ah, what is the matter?" said rough
voice. The pupils turned at the sound,
and all made a respectful obeisance to the
great master.
Look, Senior Murillo; lookr' exclaimed
the youths. as they pointed to the easel of
Mendez.
'Who has painted this; who has painted
this head, gentlemen" asked Murillo Gag
erly. Speak, tell me- He who has
sketched this Virgin will one day be the
master of us all Murillo wishes he had
done it. What touch What delicacyi
What skill Mendez, my dear pupil, was
it your"
dNo, senor," replied Mendez in a sorrow
full tone.
''was it you, then. Isturitz or Ferdinand
or Carlos'"
But they all gave the same reply as
Mendez.
1T could not, however, come here with
out hands," said Murillo impatiently.
81 think, SIR" said Cordova, the young
est of the pupils, that these strange pict-
ures are very alarming; indeed, this is not
the first unaccounuable event which has
happened in your studio To tell the
truth. such wonderful things have hap
pened here one scarcely knows what TO be-
lieve"
What are tbey?" asked Murillo still
lost in admiration of the head of the Virgin
by the unknown artist.
According to your orders, senor," an
swered Ferdinand, I'VE never leave the
studio without putting everything in order,
cleaning our palettes, washing our brushes
and arranging our easels; but when we
return in the morning, not only is every
thing in confusion, our brushes filled with
paint, palettes dirtied, but here and there
are sketches beautiful sketches, 10 be sure
they are)-sometimes of the head OF an
angel, sometimes of a demon, then again
the profile of young girl or the figure of
an old man; but all admirable, as you have
seen for yourself, senior"
This is certainly curious affair, gem
tlenen,n observed Murillo; "but we shall
soon learn who is this nightly visitant.
Sebastian" he continued, addressing
little mulatto boy about fourteen years old,
who appeared at his call, did not desire
YOU to sleep here every night?"
"Yes. master" said the boy with timid-
ity.
"And have you done 500"
Eyes, master"
Speak, then; who was he'e last night
and this morning before these gentlemen
cameo Speak. slave, - hall make you
----....4.CtL ', 4lu my dungeon, SAID Murir
10 angrily to the boy, who continued to
twist the band Of his trousers without re-
plying.
"Ah, you don't choose to answer" said |
Murillo, pulling his ear.
No one, master, no one" replied the |
trembling Sebastian, with eagerneSs-
THAT is false." exclaimed Murillo.
''No ono bat me, swear TO you, master,
sried the nulstto, throwing himself On bis /