Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-21
A GENUINE MURILLO.
uondon Tia-gi,s1

M DtthSteiht WHY otu ueaief III an
tqulties every morning was wont TO re-
pair at II precisely TO the oid-fashioned
bra"ette restaurant At that particular
time he wei! knew that business was
quiet-so qulet that to an outsider the
place would seem as II II were going 10
the dogs. but Instead, IL Was n flourish
ing concern. So, to the minute every
morning. he took his seat in the topmost
curtained box, ordered his soup end roll.
and read the paper until 49, when the
hrst stream Of clerks and others would
b gin to arrive. Then. having partaken
OF the cheapest repast he could get he
would again repair TO his establishment
IN the. Rue de Beranger
AS he sat reading his paper one bsauti-
ful May morning, and giving an Ccca-
sionai dip with his roll into the soup, his
attention was momentarily drawn to two
customers who entered, and came and
sat down In the adjoining box. He heard
them give the waiter an order. am then
went on reading his paper again. sud
denly he became alert, and began TO
listen eagerly TO the conversation.
Il can assure you. old fellow, said
one. In low but clear tone, II can assure
YOU that II II a masterpiece. = genuiIr.
Murillo, and a perfect gem"
Old Bernstein now began To listen in
tently. and kept very stu. Evidently
they did not know Of his near presence.
"A glorious work. continued the speak
err such a picture of gypsy children
which / have never seen, equalled, and
the coloring OF 1t e superb magnificent.
In fact, words fail me 20 express It's
beauties"
you astonish me-" was the reply.
But how came you TO discover II? such
finds are few and far between nowadays"
II will explain TO you exactly how II
was. Some two years ago we made a
very delicate piece Of machinery for an
English firm, and the workman who really
made and put 1t together left us six
months ago. Last week II was returned
for repairs, but, unfortunately, we have
no one now on the works who properly
understands 1t. So. yesterday ] was Or
dered TO go down TO Bernace to see "
Jules was with his father. old Claude
Revers, who lives on a small farm.
dare say you have noticed the old white
house near to the stationT'
81 have noticed IL many a time when
going through Bernace," was the reply.
But proceed"
However, when | arrived at the old fell
lows place, ] found on inquiry that his
son was away in England, so my bust
ness for the nonce was done. The old
fellow, knowing that | had an hour or
50 to wait for my train, invited me TO
stay and chat with him about his son,
and TO make matters more comfortable,
went below into his cellar to get a bottle
Of wine for our refreshing. Old Reyers
suffers badly from rheumatism so he
was some little time before he returned.
Meanwhile ! had been looking at coarse
daub OF the Madonna, which hung on the
opposite wall, when suddenly something
til f.lra nd 4
anime II closely TO my surprise, | saw
that the front OF the canvas Of the Ma
| donna had slipped slightly, revealing
another canvas behind il. had my
pincers with me, and had | had time
then | would have taken off the wooden
back and examined H. but just then j
heard the old fellow coming up the cellar
steps and | had perforce to put II on
the wall again. The wine was fairly
good, so between us we finished IT, and
then ! prompted the old man TO fetch
another bottle He was nothing loath,
especially when l laid franc on the
table. so down he went once again. car
rying the empty bottle with him. and
chuckling to himself. So, now was my
chance. and taking 1t down once again
| laid 1t fiat on the table and whipped
| out the nails which held the back in
position and brought the beauties Of the
hidden canvas, the Murillo. into the Hight
| Of day"
what splendid discovery am itch
ing to see and handle il. But go on. ! am
quite interested"
"My first thought was that ] might
take 1t away surrepttiously, as the old
fellow was not aware Of It's existence,
but II was rather too large TO smuggle
| away Then, on second thoughts, the ca
man aid not seem well on. and ] settled
in my mind to offer him 20 francs fer
| IT, | had Just time to refix the nails ana
put IT back on the wall when the oh man
opened the cellar door,"
You were only just in time, then,
laughed the other.
Just So But however, as soon as the
fresh bottle was opened ] told him
had taken great liking TO his picture
opposite. and. that | would buy II from
him. The old fellow laughted-l thought
somewhat contemptuousiy-inqu what
l would give.
Twenty francs and so saying. laid
that amount on the table. thinking he
would not resist the sight of the money,
and telling him that no one would give
him more for it.
Perhaps not. m'sieu,' was the curt
answer. but | have no desire 70 sell II.
IL would bring me bad luck. and l have
had quite sufficient of that, for my farm
and buildings here are burdened with a
debt Of 1000 francs But, putting that
ON one side. why should ! sell the Ma
donna, of which my dear old wife was
SO fond. for a few patry francs? Rahl
WHY should |? So. TO end the matter,
m'sieu. II you want my old picture. the
price is the debt on my farm, and neither
YOU nor anybody else would be fool
enough TO give me that. So, Sood-day,
m sieu. Your train will be here in ten
minutes. and the old man laughed i'm
moderately at his proposition.
"'Good DAY, Papa Revers. may come
and see you again some day, replied
as / left him. and so here l am, only
YOU and | knowing Of this matter
Il am glad you have been so discreet
Pierre. on that latter point. But what
do you propose TO do now?"
This: Advance me the 10000 francs,
with which | feel sure l can tempt old
Revers TO sell ii TO me. Then, supposing
II only realizes 5000 francs. we can d.
vide the $1,000 francs between us. VIVA;
say you? Are you agreedT'
II am so satisfied with your judgment
Pierre, that II you will come with me "a
my Office | will get you the money, and
then when can you start?'
mot before $780, / have 10 20 10 the
works yet to settle a few matters Of bust
ness"
Bernstein heard them walk out. and
not before then did he venture 10 assume
an erect position. Now was his chance
He would profit by the conversation he
had overheard, and 20 down 10 Bernac'
at once. There would be train before
$3.50 O'Clock
Here, Jacques" he called TO the
waiter. "a timetable. quick. How for
mnate, There is one al 1890. and | shall
be first after ALL" and his face assumed
an unwonted. happy expression. while
the waiter stared in amazement, for the
old man had given him a sou, the very
hrst-and the last, too. something won
derful has happened" the waiter thought
Old Bernstein did not lose any more
time, but was soon back at his establish
ment and seated at his desk.
"Ten thousand francs; suppose | take
1000. IL is best TO be on the safe side
one never knows--and a Murllo. Father