Democratic messenger., 1894-02-10

distinguished him. the jew OWNED
that he had arrived at a propitious mo-
ment. In fact, the four friends found
themselves at that moment met in conn
Gil. and under the presid .ncy of a fero-
cious appetite they We're discussing the
grave question of bread and meat. 1t
was on Sunday. and the end of the
month. Fatal day and sinister datei
The entrance of Medicis was therefore
greeted with n joyous chorus, for they
knew that the jew was too miserly of
his time to spend it in visits of mere
politeness. Therefore his presence al
ways announced an affair of business.
NJ. Marcel. said Medicis. II have
come here solely to make your fortune.
That is to say. I've come to offer you n
superb chance to enter the artistic
world. Art. as you we'll know, NJ.
Marcel, is an arid road of which glory
is the oasis
''Pere Medicis, said Marcel. on the
of 80 per cent. you venerated patron
saint, he brief.'
''This is the affair" said Medicis.
"A wealthy lover nf paintings who is
making collection of pictures destined
to make the tour of Europe has order
ed me to procure for him a series of re-
markable works. have come to offer
you an entrance into that gallery of
art. In word. have come to buy
your Crossing of the Red Sea. =
CASH" said Marcel.
Cash" responded the jew. making
the orchestra in his breeches pocket
play lively tune.
"Go ON, Medicis." said Marcel, dis
playing his painting. Il wish to leave
to yourself the honor of fixing the price
of this work, which is beyond all
price,
The Jew placed on the table so
crowns IN beautiful new silver pieces.
Go on" said Marcel; that is only
the advance guard.
M Marcel" said Medicis. "you
well know shall add nothing. Reflect!
Fifty crowns. That makes $50 francs.
That's a sum, that isl"
a feeble sum-" replied the artist.
"Why, know that my first word is al
ways my last. merely in the robe of my
Pharaoh there are so crowns worth of
cobalt. Pay me at least the material.
Equallze those piles. round up the fig
ures. and will call you Leo N"
Here's my last word" said the
jew. IN not add a sou more, but l
offer dinner TO all of you, various
wines at your own discretion, and at
the dessert I'll pay IN gold"
Does any gentleman wish to make
any further bid?" yelled Colline. rap
ping three times with his fist on the
table. Going. going. gone!''
Agreed. said Marcel.
Il will send for the picture tomor-
row." said the jew. Now let ms
start. gentlemen; the table is laid"
The four friends descended the stairs,
singing the chorus from Les Hugue-
nots. "A table. tablet
Eight DAYS after that feast Marcel
learned in what gallery his picture had
taken its place. While walking through
the Faubourg Saint Honore he stopped
in the midst of a group that was gaz-
ing with curiosity at the hanging of
sign over a shop. That sign was none
other than Marcel's famous picture.
sold by Medicis to dealer in provi-
sions. Only, the Crossing of the Red
Sea" had once more suffered a modifi-
cation and bore new title. Some one
had added to it steamboat and had
called it. AT the Port of MarSeilles. "
A fattering ovation arose among the
louDgers when they discovered the
painting. So Marcel turned away, de-
lighted by this triumph, and murmur-
ed, The voice of the people is the voice
of Boston Transcript.