Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1891-12-03
HOW RyBENs PAID A BILL.
HB Painted Fortune for His Ungrate-
full Landlord, Who Didn't Like 1t.

| full Landlord, Who Didn't Like 1t.
In the beginning of the Seventeenth
century Peter Paul Rubens, whose
name had not the same sound then as
now, lived in Paris, at modest inn
near the palace of his patroness, Maria
de Medici. Sometimes he had his pock-
cts fill of money and lived like prince,
but oftener he was without a pfennig;
at any rate he paid his host very irregu-
larly, or not at all. The host did not
consider it an honor to board this great
painter, and as he had supreme con-
tempt for art, he often cast insults at
Rubens. One day when the innkeeper
was in an especially bad humor he
threatened to throw Rubens out of the
door like tramp and without further
notice.
Rubens had just had an audience
with Louvre, hut did not possess he'll
Ter. 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 a small picture Of his
| own from the wall and asked in 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 800 lire for it.
Rubens was furious, threw the picture
on the ground and stamped upon t,while
the 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 little
hand trunk with these words:
81 have kept my promise. Upon the
table in my room you will find more
money than l owe you. Farewell, sil
hostr'
Then he left the inhospitable house
with the nien of a grand seigneur, who
had given rich aims.
The tavern keeper hurried up the
stairs to the artists room. The door
Rnd the mass of money which
Vpon the table met his gaze.
puis, double Louis, dollars
pillars lay there in gay con.
fusion. Naturally the good man thought
he must quickly put his money in safe
place, but what astonishment and fury
ne 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
ne saw on the walls the rich clothing
that had been left by the painter. From
the sale of this he could cover a great
rart of the debt. He reached for cherry
colored velvet mantle-what disappoint-
mentl 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.
Distinguished people streamed to the
modest tavern to hear of Rubens' gay
trick from the host himself and see the
painted clothing-the table had been put
in the garnet 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 rich Englishman who dotted
on art was accidentally told of the de-
septive table by the tavern keeper. He
asked to see the table, admired it and
offered to give the host as much cash In
French gold and silver coins as wa
painted on the table. Naturally the
host accepted and was rid of this "dis
agreeable" piece Of furniture Pniladel
pnIa Times.
One wcman's 'Breaks."
Washington society, Ike every other
society, has its Mrs. Malaprop To the
40, &C s