The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1891-10-05
HOW RUBEN6 PAID A BILL.
lie Painted "a Fortune for Ills Unsrat.

century Peter Paul Rubens, whose
name had not the same sound her as
now. lived in Paris, at a modest inn
near the palace of his patroness, Maria
de Medici. Sometimes he had his pock-
cts full Of money and lived like a prince,
but oftener he was without a pfennig;
t any rate ne paid his host very irregu-
..-..,. or not at all. The host did not
consider it IN honor to board this great
painter, and as he had a 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 a tramp and without further
notice.
Rubens had just had an audience
with Louvre, but did not possess a 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 a note
written to one of his friends 1900 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 it,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 a little
hand trunk with these words:
81 have kept my promise. Upon the
table in my you will find more
money than | owe you. Farewell, sir
host"
Then he left the inhospitable 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 gay con-
fusion. Naturally the good man thought
he must quickly put his money in a safe
place, but what establishment and fury
he showed when, upon touching p 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 a great
part of the debt. He reached for q cherry
colored velvet mantle-what disappoint-
ment! 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 a dollar was spent
in the tavern for the purpose Of seeing
these things.
One day a rich Englishman who dotted
on art was accidentally told of the de-
ceptiye 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 was
painted on the table. Naturally the
host accepted and was rid of this dds
agreeable" piece of furniture.-Philadel-
phia Times.