The Penn's Grove record., 1894-09-21
conntAss 6n6frEN NM Whfredaehua

and boys punched each others heads,
on the same kpotty question which
was setting their husbands and
fathers by the ears In the tavern or
the market place; and moro than one
lyeuus lady, who sympathized very
strongly with lone party, sent her
lover about his business because he
had the iMpudeuee to side with the
other.
Atlas; the long-expected day ar
lrtyAi \ nall hour at least before
tnc time fixed for the trial, the mar.
ket Mace was crowded from size to
s,ds; and the very air seemed to
trcmelc with the shout that went up
-nttEred by Smithitcs and Holbein-
IileS alike-aS the Stalwart figure OF
the blacksmith was seen forcing its
way thwuyh the thnung, carrying in
his hands something closely wrapped
INA cloak. which must of course DO
the MASTERPIECE OF art which he wa
about TO exhibit 10 them.
Having at length reached the tiny
splcc in frout Of the tavern which
had been kept clear for himself and
his rival the smith, with a smile OF
ldisdainful confidence, which showed
that he already regarded the victory
as his own, turned round so as to face
the expectSnt multitude, and at the
same moment withdrew the cloak
from the object that he carried
which at the first glance appeared I'd
he nothing more remarkable than .
small black dog.
Bnt in another instant a cry Of
lamaEement and delight broke from
1.-The lips Of every nan In the crowd;
for the dog, though 1t looked and
even moved like a living animal, was
seen TO be made Of iron!
Nor was this all. When the smith
set II down and called out run,
DircE." the iron dog a round and
round the clear space, barking loudly
all the time.
laundering shouts Of applause
hurst from the blacksmlth's party,
while the Holbeinites stood SILENT
and looked very blank indeed.
What is there that can beat this?"
roared an eXultant Smithite. "Iron
has beaten canvas as our own eyes
have seen. Where is Hans Holbeip
,uow?' ii
Where was Hans Holbein, indeed2,
No voice answered TO the call, and
there was no sign of him In any part
of the crowd. 1t soon became evt.
wherever the painter might
be, he was nowhere in or nea the
market place.
Crimson with shame and rage at
the derisive laugh which the Smithites
set up, three or four OF Holbein's
special friends tore of in various d.
rections TO look for him; and n Of
them, by a lucky inspiration, went
straight TO a small tavern where the
painter was wont to have his lunch.
Here he found Master Hans sitting
down TO his bread and cheese and
beer as coollY as if the smith and his
challenge had never existed
"Hans-the blacksmith! the chal-
lenge!" gasped the messenger, burst
ing headlong into the room.
s'Ah, very true" said Holbein,
composedly. Faith. I had quite
forgotten that; and, in truth, 1 doubs
much If l have eve thought of IL
since the daY it happened"
Never thought Of it?" yelled TIT
other, who had lain a heavy wager on
Holbein's success 'Do you mean to
say you have got nothing ready At
all?"
The painter rose slowly 10 his feet.
and eyed his companion with a loos
which seemed to make the reproach.
full words go backward down the lat,
ter's throat. {
'Care thou not for that, said he .
coldly; 'this Dragging smith may lie
a clever fellow in his way. but he has
reckoned without his host IL he thinks
to beat Hans IIolbein. Come and ses,,",
When the great artists well-knowH
figure was seen coming round the
corner Of the crowded square, a dead
hush of expectation fell over the ex.
cited throng, in the midst Of which
EIolbein's voice was heard by all.
Worthy friends, it grIeyes me that
I should have forgotten this days !
business, and kept such q worshipful
company waiting thus. But good
Master Smith Yonder wishes to see
what I car do; let him look here!" /
And, taking a piece OF chalk from
his pocket, he drew a circle with a
single turn Of his hand on one Of the :
tables in front Of the tavern, inserted
a point for its center, and said
quietly I
Bring a pair Of compasscs, and
measure that"
1t was done and both circle and
point were found tc be as correct as
II drawn with the best mathematical
Instruments
There was momentary silence OF
blank amazonent, and then the air
rang with cheers Of the H~olbeinitcs,
while the sturdy blacksmith himself
stepped forward, and frankly holding
out his hand-the stong brown hand
mat had wrought SO many famous
works-to the man whom he had
challenged, said, with unfeinged
hcartiness--
"Mastcr HolbeIn, there is no gain.
sayln. lt-thou art the better man.
WIN pains and practice, thou
Mlght'st pcrchance make my iron
dog; butl, though l should labor on it
70 the end Of days, could never draw
this circle of thine"
Hans Holbein warmly graspcd the
offered hand, and the two rival artists
we're fast friends from that day forth.
! isobblnS n Prison.
1t Is perfectly natural that tbieyes
should be sent 70 prison for having
stolen, but it is somewhat of q low.
city that they should OF their own