Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-04-28

| do with his future lite and happiness,
| if not with the bliss of the Graf de
Eglentier.
| One day the beautiful, gifted and
wealthy Anne Breughel. daughter of
the noted painter, Velvet Breughel,
was in the ducal gallery accompanied
| by Cornille Schut and Van Balen, who
with Rubens had been appointed by
Breughel as the guardians of his
| daughter and her great fortune. Ten
iers was standing near his picture
when Annie Breughel approached to
view it. Van Balen presented the
| painter to his ward. The young
| couple stood, according to Schut. ION
this side of the slippery and perilous
step"
Annie glancing at Hymen, Teniers
said:
Lady, would it please you to pass
with my aid this step?"
"Oh, certainly" replied Anne, unre-
fiectingly.
Il take you at your word, said Ten
iers, CALAMITY extending his hand
The maiden blushingly refused the
proffered aid.
@But Anne, my child" spoke Schut,
"why will you not pass this step?"
why should l." answered the maid
en-, "since on the other side the lovely
picture loses all its charms?"
Teniers, already struck by Cupid's
darts, with throbbing heart exclaimed;
ut may indeed change to others: but
for you and me, lady, never!" And
having thus boldly spoken. he grace
| fully saluted Annie and left the gallery.
| Cupid with unerring skill had hit the
maiden's heart.
Teniers went home and thought all
| through the night of Annie's beauty
and accomplishments, to find himself
at last making a resolve to win her for
his own.
Entering the next morning the an
tique study of Schut, he found the old
man at work
master Cornille," said Teniers, tell
me how lady'S love may be most
readily won."
| "By verses-sweet verses-in which
| you will tell your love and your de-
spair and then the maiden will pity
you" replied the old man.
"Ah, Master Cornille," said Teniers
"would that | might write verses like
yours! Then should hope to win the
love Of Anne Breughel."
"Ah, you are seeking her?" spoke
Schut, Il do not oppose your suit, but
she has yet two other guardians. Still
l warn you, young friend, that nul
united wills can never bend the stately
girl. She will have her own way
| though it rains thOrnS"
Teniers then went to Rubens and
| asked:
MY friend and master, how may one
win q maiden's loVe?"
"By painting a portrait setting forth
her charms and hiding her defects,
replied the master.
"Ah, would that I had your skilln'
sighed Teniers. "But what skill can
add.to Anne Breughel's charms?"
ooh, hO!" laughed Reubens. "Blows
the wind in that quarter? Well, we'll
a good wife is the best of goods as
our Flemish proverb says, and of al,
good wives Anne Breughel will make
the best. But 90 and see Van Balen
and he may, with his Platonicwisdom
help you"
Seeking Van Balen the Jealous lover
asked:
How may man best win the love OF
! Woman?"
The best way" replied the ole
painter, lis to love her again with al
your heart and soul, and deem those
| foolish who say that he who loves truly
| loves at a disadvantage"
Then" exclaimed Teniers, canine
| Breughel should love me, for | love
her; yet fear that my hast. words in
the ducal gallery have injured me in
| her esteem"
THE lovers anger but enkindles
love, " rejoined the philosophic artist
II will see Anne and think the matter
over and help, if possible, to q true de-
cisiOn."
The guardians deliberated while
Teniers and Anne spent the days il
wooing. The two were married anC
dwelt in the ducal palace but Anne and
he never crossed the slippery stair.
| Hymen was never beautiful in form
and. seen this side the "perilous step
with all his charms. rightly represent
ed the happy married life of David
Teniers and his wife Anne.
Young man ands woman, may you
never step beyond the slippery stair,
and thus Hymen shall always appear
| beautiful.
| And reader mine, whateer betide,
wish the same to thee.
| IVOypyJ9U lTYn0zjg1p