The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-10
THE UNCLAIMED PORTRAIT.

We were at an art reception, my friend
and /. We had spent some two hours
wandering around the gallery, attracted
first TO this picture, then to that, but In
yariablv finding our way back to large
canvas called THE Unclaimed Portrait"
Opposite this picture, being weary, we
seated ourselves to rest and admire, and to
speculate as well over the singular name
it bore. 1t was certainly suggestive OF
romance, and we began INDUCING in varl-
Gus surmises as TO why the portrait was
never claimed. Surely the work could
not have been otherwise than satisfactory.
The two figures in the picture resembled
each other closely, and were evidently
mother and son. The same noble brow.
the same dark, full wide-open eyes, and
the features, neither insignifcantly small
and delicate nor coarse and large, were
full, mobile and sensitive, expressive OF
natures highly organized and emotional
A very peculiar feature OF the picture was
the exclusiveness of color. With the ex-
ception of the flesh tints, and
the creamy hue of the rich
lace around the lady's throat,
no shades were introduced except those
of greens and browns for even the eyes
and hair were of the latter color. Differ
ent shades of these two colOrs appeared IN
the draperies, and the upholstery OF the
chair on which the lady recline1, the lit
tie boy probably about four years OF age
being seated on hassock at her feet. And
these shades also formed the background
of the picture. The artistic arranging and
blending of the different shades of the
two colors produced an effect quiet, rich
and restful. The gallery held many
pictures higher in price and OF superior
artistic merit no doubt. OF the latter, l
myself am not competent judge.
know little of the laws which govern art,
yet in some pictures find an indefnable
something which attracts me like mag
net. feel the power and influence of the
picture, but can not give my reasons In
art dialect. Probably there is a soul in the
creation to which mine responds. Pictures
should have their souls-an animating
principle which underlies all artistic Ell
fects, all harmony of colors, all boldness
or power of execution, as should also
books. And probably, as in the world OF
our being natures or souls find their al
fnities, so in the world of art 90 We not
find responsive elements that thrill into
action the noblest and purest faculties Of
our nature? The soul of the picture, the
soul of the book, is that which gives it the
highest value, appealing to our souls with
al a Trrffr
We noticed that many visitors passed
the picture that had so attracted US without
manifesting any special admiration or
interest 1t was not brilliant, but to US
IL seemed a perfect symphony OF color,
as well. as full OF suggestion force. and
romance. which we We're Just about to
weave around it when we noticed
the approach of an elderly lady
and q fine looking gentleman OF
middle age. They were evidently
strangers to every one, as they
walked and talked In g manner
that indicated they were not expecting to
meet any one they knew. They were
chatting cheerily with each other, when
suddenly the lady grasped the arm of her
companion and with a pitiful moan or
half scream tainted. We at once hurried
to their assistance, and with the aid OF a
few others who were near by, brought
water and removed her to a small adj
joining room, where she Law UNCONSCIOUS
for some time. A physician was sum-
moned and late in the afternoon she was
taken in a carriage to their hotel. We
insisted on accompanying them, and feel
ing tender interest in the sweet-faced
old lady and also sympathy for her SON
his first exclamation of Mother, mother"
when she tainted indicating the relation
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the mother was at least out of danger.
Unless, of course, they had friends in the
city who had prior claims; if SO
it would be our pleasure to at once notify
them. Mr.. Edgar Hammerton, for this
was the name on the card handed us
seemed greatly alarmed at his mothers
condition and quite incompetent TO care
for her properly. He realized his help
lessness and in response to our offer of
assistance, replied: 1--WE have no ac-
quaintance5 in the city. And if it is not
accepting too great a favor from perfect
strangers, L shall be inexpressibly thank
full If you can remain with my poor
mother a few hours, l am completely
at a loss az 10 the cause OF
this sudden and violent attack (for his
mother on recovering from the fainting
spell had become deliriOus). "MOther was
IN her usual health and apparently enjoy
ing her trip with me. If you can con-
venientlv stay with her"
He could say no more, for the old lady
required our attention, and we decided to
remain by her bedside, sending word
home by messenger as to the cause oil
our absence. All night we watched be-
side the sufferer. who at times uttered
piercing shrieks and means, calling out:
"Did you say Horace had gone away?
Where did he go? Horace, Horace What
made you stay away so long? Did YOU
say he had come back? No? Oh, won
der why he never comes, he never comes.
But oh, know" This she would repeat
over and over again while her son. kneel-
Ing at her bedside, would gently smooth
the wrinkled brow and press the
thin hands, irving with gentlest
and tenderest tones TO soothe and
calm her. At times the effect would be
tranquilizing; at others she was entirely
unmindful of any such influence. During
the intervals between these violent a.
tacks of delirium she talked in a low, in
coherent way, her mind evidently wander
ing midst scenes of the bygone years.
But it was in such broken and discon-
nected sentences that nothing of her past
life was revealed. The physician who
had been summoned had administered
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