Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-10-07
Ho,c Rubens Paid a Blu.


century Peter Paul Rubens, whose name
had not the same sound then as now, liv-
ed in Paris, at u modest inn near the
palace of his patroness, Maria de Medici.
Sometimes he had his pockets full of
money and lived like prince, but often
er he was without pfennig: at any rate
he paid his host very irregularly,or not at
all The host did not consider it an
honor to board this great painter, and as
he had supreme contempt for art, he
often cast insults at Rubens. One day
when the innkeeper was in an especially
bad humor he threatened to throw Ru-
bens out of the door like a tramp and
without further notice.
Rubens had just had an audience with
Louvre, but did not posses a heller
What should he do? The tavern keeper
would not reason, but wanted to see cash
under any circumstances money must be
procured.
The artist took small picture of his
own from the wall and asked in a note
written to one of his friends / 200 lire
for it. Half an hour later the messenger
returned, saying that the gentleman
would pay only 500 lire for it.
Rubens was furious, threw the picture
on the ground and stamped upon it, while
his host was still more furious, as his
hopes, through this "daub, to get money
were dispelled He wanted to put his
guest out on the pavement Immediately,
when Rubens gave his word of honor
that he would pay his debt within eight
days
With these words Rubens hurried up
stairs and locked the door. He left the
room very seldom and never without
taking the key with him. A week later
he appeared before his host with a little
hand trunk with these words;
81 have kept my promise. Upon the
table in my room you will find more
money than | owe you. Farewell, sir
hostw
Then he left the inhospiiable house
with the mien of a grand seigneur, who
had given rich aims.
The tavern keeper hurried up the
stairs to the artists room. The door
stood open and the mass Of money which
was spread upon the table met his gaze.
Fourfold Louis, double Louis, dollars
and half dollars lay there in gey confu-
sion. Naturally the good man thought
he must quickly put his money in safe
place, but what astonishment and fury
he showed when, upon touching gold
piece, he found that it was only painted
The miser, the tramp, had fooled him
But his anger lessened somewhat when
he saw on the walls the rich clothing
that had been left by the painter. From
the sale of this he could cover great
part of the debt. He reached for cher
ry colored velvet mantle-what disap-
pointment That, too, like the other gar
ments and the glittering gold, was only
painted
The unhappy host was pitied by all his
friends who heard it.
The story became further known and
the painters fame grew and spread. Dis
tinguished people streamed to the modest
tavern to hear Of Rubcns' gay trick from
the host himself and see the painted
cothing-the table had been put in the
garrett as the owner wanted it out of sight
and many dollar was spent in the
tavern for the purpose Of seeing these
things.
One day a rich Fnglishman who dotted
on art was accidentally tod Of the decep-
tive table by the tavern keeper. He
asked to see the table, admired il and Of
fered to give the host as much cash in
French gold and silver coins as was paint
ed on the table. Naturally the host ac-
cepted and was rid Of this "disagreeable"
piece Of furniiure.-Pdiladelphia TImes.