Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-04-15
BECOMING A PAINTER.
How Boy Secured a Wish Through th.
Exhibition of His Genius.

Exhibition of His Genius.
Two hundred and more years ago
there was, not far from Leyden, but
nearer still to Leyden dorp, little
hamlet of eight or ten cottages, each
one more beautiful, shiningly clean and
we'll kept than the others.
In one of them, on certain bright
morning, sat Nine. Teresa Herman,
preparing with her own dainty hands
the dinner for her husband and herself
and the child of the house, Greta, lit
tie maid of seven years.
''ls it not time for me to take the
bread and wine to Mother Wander Hey
den?" asked Greta, presently, for her
small, chubby fingers were tired hold
ing the knife with which she was help
ing her mother prepare the fruit and
vegetables.
'Now, my Gretchen" she said, talk
ing her hand, ''go not into any house
but that of old Mother Wander Heyden.
Thou knowest l would not have thee
run from neighbor to neighbor like n
beggar maid"
This seemed to be a very reasonable
charge; yet Greta looked troubled and
disappointed, and stood irresolute after
the mother had given her parting kiss.
MAY l cross old Gerretz's doorstep,
my mother?" she asked. presently.
"Oh, just for a brief visitl / will be
back in time to fill my fathers mug and
carry his platter"
"Why art thou so fond of going to
that house, my child? True, poor
Madam Gerretz carefully trained these
young people during her lifetime; but
she Is no more, and old Jacques Gerretz
is drinking more than ever. ] fear it is
no longer a fit place for thee to 60"
Yet the fond mother yielded to her
entreaty, and Greta went Off with
bounding steps. She came back in time,
as she had promised; but there was "A
restless look about her, as if she con-
stantly expected some one. This look
was explained when about dusk the
lad, Paul Gerretz, accompanied by his
sister Louise, came to Nine. Herman's
door.
The boy brought as a present for
Nine. Teresa a portrait of little
Gretchen, taken on the sly, when he
could coax the child into their house.
1t was her very chubby, little self. She
was really beautiful child, and the
young artist had given the delicately-
cut features a most natural expression.
Nine. Herman was charmed. Paul"
she cried, thou must be a painter"
"Alasp answered the boy, gloomily,
''what have to become n painter |
long to go to Leyden and learn under
Master jacques van Swanebulg, but
my father will not hear it. Not that
would listen to my father" continued
the boy, passionately, clinching his
fist; "for l aoiU be a painter, let him
me that, if / run away, he will punish
my sister every day till 1 return. My
good Louise, who has been mother to
us all-how could endure the thought
of her receiving my blowsl"
"And tell him." said the loving SIS
ter, 'that, while I would willingly
bear his blows. yet it would not be
right for him to disobey his parent;
and we must wait and hope for a bet
ter day"
paul Gerretz," she said to him one
day, "dost thou remember thy sainted
mothers face?"
"Ah, lady," he cried, show could
forget face SO dear?"
81 want you to paint me portrait of
her as you remember her." said Pauls
friend. And in a few days time she
supplied him with material from Ley
den, SO that his picture might be as
good as he could make it.
Paul now spent all his spare moments
in the little loft over the mill, which
was his studio; and Louise did many
task for him in order to give him more
time to paint IT was some months be-
fore the boy could take it to his friend
finished.
Madam Teresa was more than salts
fed-she was wonderstruck. take it
home, my children" she cried, 'and
place it where your father will see it as
soon as he enters the house, but say
nothing about it."
By happy and most unusual chance
Jacques GerretZ came home sober that
evening; and. when his eyes fell upon
PauPs painting, he was completely
overwhelmed. He burst into a flood of
tears while gazing on the tender, re-
proachful eyes. the care-worn brow,
and the sad mouth OF the wife he lad
once devotedly loved. From that mo-
ment his consent was gained to Paul's =
career as an artist; and thus, not by un-
ilial conduct, not be deserving his low
ing sister, but by the patient exhibition
of his genius, little Paul became the
famous painter called by his comrades
and known to all the world as Rem
brandt. Elizabeth P. Allen. in Young
Days.