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

| nagrant crime, Mur1Ilo and his pupIB wefe
| not less astonished at the discovery they
! had made
Murillo, having with gesture of the
hand imposed silence on his pupils. who
could hardly restrain themselves from Civ
! ing way to their admiration, approached
| Sebastian and, concealing his emotion,
| said in a cold and severe tone, while he
| looked alternately from the beautiful head
| of the Virgin to the terrified slave who
| stood like statue before him:
"Who is your master, Sebastians"
"You," replied the boy, in voice scarce
ly audible.
81 mean your drawing master'" said
Murillo."
"You, senor," again replied the trem-
bling slave.
ut cannot be: never gave you lessons"
said the astonished painter.
"But you gave them to others, and I
listened to them," rejoined the boy, en-
boldened by the kindness of his master.
"And you have done better than listen;
you have profted by themr' exclaimed
Murillo, unable longer to conceal his ad-
miration. Gentlemen, does this boy
merit punishment or rewards"
At the word punishment" Sebastian's
heart beat quick; the word reward" gave
him a little courage, but fearing that his
ears deceived him he looked with timid
and imploring eyes toward his master.
"a reward, senor!' cried the pupils in a
breath.
''That is well; but what shall it be?'
Sebastian began to breathe.
''Ten ducats, at least" said Mendez-
"FifteenI' cried Ferdinand
'No," said Gonzalo; "a beautiful new
dress for the next holiday"
Speak, Sebastian" said Murillo, look
ing at his slave, whom none Of these re-
wards seemed to move Are these things
not to your taste? Tell me what you wish
for am so much pleased with your beau
tiful composition that l will grant any re-
quest you may make Speak, then; do not
be afraid"
ooh. master, if I dared"- And Sebas-
tian, clasping his hands, fell at the feet of
his master.
It was easy to read in the half opened
lips of the boy and his sparkling eyes some
devouring thought within which timidity
prevented him from uttering.
With the view of encouraging him, each
of the pupils suggested some favor for him
to demand.
"Ask gold, Sebastian"
"Ask rich dresses, Sebastian
"Ask to be received as pupil, Sebastian"
A faint smile passed over the counte-
nance of the slave at the last words, but he
hung down his head and remained silent.
ASK for the best place in the studio"
said Gonzalo, who, from being the last
come pupil, had the worst light for his
easel
"Come, take courage" said Murillo,
gayly.
1.-THE master is so kind today" said Fer
dinand half aloud, Il would risk some
thing-ask your freedom, Sebastian"
At these words Sebastian uttered cry
of anguish and raising his eyes to his mas
ter he exclaimed, in a voice choked with
sobs:
'The freedom of my father-the freedom
of my father!"
"And thine, Also" said Murillo, who, no
longer able to conceal his emotion, threw
his arms around Sebastian and pressed
him to his breast.
Your pencil" be continued, "shows
that you have talent; your request proves
that you have heart; the artist is COM
plete. From this day consider yourself not
only as my pupil, but as my SON Happy
Murillo! 1 have done more than paint
have made painter"
Murillo kept his word, and Sebastian
Gomez, better known under the name of
the Mulatto of Murillo. became one of the
most celebrated painters in Spain There
may yet be seen in the churches Of Seville
the celebrated picture which he had been
found painting by his master; also ST.
Anne, admirably done; a holy Joseph,
which is extremely beautiful, and others of
the highest merit.-New York Ledger.