The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-28

right had he to interfere? There was no end
| to the impudence of these foreigners.
AS, however, they watched ana grumbed
| the grumbling gradually ceased and was
turned in to q muTmur of approbatIon when
| the design became apparent. The owner
| of the inn was the first to cry, "Bravo!
and even Gerard DOuw's cousin nine times
| removed felt his fury calming down into
admiration.
"OhP' he exclaimed. "you belong to the
craft, honest man. and there's no use deny
ing ii. Yes, yes" he continued, laughing
as be turned toward his nelghhors, this i:
a French sign-painter, who wishes TO have
a jest with me. Well, 1 must frankly say
he knows what he is about"
The old man was about 10 descend from
the ladder when a gentleman, riding 8
beautiful English horse, made his way
through the crowd.
That painting is minep' he exclaimed
in French. but with a foreign accent. 81
will give 100 guineas for itP
Another madmanw exclaimed the native
genus. Hang me, but all these foreigners
are madr'
"What do you mean. monsieur" said the
innkeeper, uncommoniy int rested.
what | say-l Will give 100 guineas for
that painting" answered the young Eng
lishman. getting off his horse.
That picture is not TO be Sold" said the
sign painter with an air OF as much pride as
if it had been his own work.
NO" quoth mine host, for it is already
sold, and even partly paid for IN advance.
However, II monsieur wishes 10 come TO an
arrangement about it it is with me that lie
must treat"
Not at all, not at all" returned the FIem-
ish painter OF signs, sit belongs TO me. NV
fellow artist here gave me little help out
of friendship, but the picture is my lawful
property. and l ain atliberty to sell it to any
one | please"
"What rogueryl' exclaimed the innkeep-
ar cirrr NM 10 nv,
ened on the wall of my house how can it be-
long to anybody else? Isn't it painted on
my boards? No one but myself las the
smallest right to It,"
''Pll summon you before the magistrate"
cried lie who had not painted the sign.
an prosecute you for breach of cove
nant." retorted the innkeeper who had half
paid for it,
lone moment" interrosed another ener-
getic voice, that of the interloper. at seems
to me that ] ought 10 have some little voice
in this business"
Quite right" answered the sgn-panter.
''Instead Of disputing on the public road
let us 20 into Master Martens house and
arrange the matter amicably over q bottle of
wine"
To this all parties agreed. but am sorry
to say they agreed to nothing else for within
doors the dispute was carried on with
deafenlng confusion and energy. The Flem-
ing contended for the possession of the
painting and the Englishman repeated his
offer to cover il with gold.
But suppose that don't choose to have
it sOld?" said its real author.
"Ob, my dear monsleurp said the inn
keeper, Il am certain you would not wish
to deprive an honest poor man, who can
scarcely make both ends meet, of this wind
fall. Why, it would just enable me to lay in
a good stock of wine and beer"
Don't believe him, brother" cried the
painter; 'he is an old miser. am the father
of a family, and, being painter, you ought
to help brother artist and give me the
preference. Besides, l am ready to share
the money with YOU"
"HeW said Master MartZen, "why, he's
an old spendthrift who has no money left
TO give his daughter as a marriage por-
ton. because lie spends all he gets on him
self"
mo such thing; nv Susette is betrothed
to an honest young French cabinet-maker,
who, poor as she is, will marry her next
September"
"a daughter to portionP' exclaimed the
stranger artist. That quite alters the case.
l am content that the picture should be sold
for marriage portion. l leave 1t to our
English friends generosity to fix the sum-"
81 have already offered" replied the best
bidder, 100 guineas for the sketch just as
it is. l will gladly give you 200 for it If the
painter will consent to sign it in the corner
with one word"
what word?" exclaimed all the. dispu-
tants at once.
The Englishman replied:
'Meissoner."
The whole party were quiet enough now.
for they were struck dumb with astonish-
ment. The sign-panter held his breath,
glared with his eyes. frantically clasped his
hands together and fell down ON his knees
before the great French painter.
Forgive mel' he exclaimed, forgive me
for my audacious ignorance"
Meissonier laughed heartily, and, taking
his hand, shook it with fraterDal cordiaity
at that moment the friends whom he
was expecting arrived They were NJ. Les
see, theatrical manager. and the great
1alma.-London Graphic.