Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-12-04
lawyer IN language which win not Dea1

lawyer IN language which viii not pear
repeating.
But he soon recovered his composure
and became convinced that the work
which the lawyer disdained would be
enthusiastically praised by connoisseurs
To his boisterous anger succeeded quiet
wrath and desire to be revenged on
his insulter.
Suddenly he started, as q brilliant
idea entered his head. The thought was
us droll as it was brilliant. With smile
ON his lips he replaced the picture on
the easel and began to paint as feverish-
ly as before. In next to no time ocn-
siderable change was noticeable. The
face remained untouched, full Of life,
but the attitude became little less
stiff. The eyes lost somewhat Of their
defiant pride, the lips closed still tight
er, the nose grew little more hooked
and the chin little more distinctly
pointed. Then the background was
changed to resemble prison wall with
grated cell window. The books, papers
and pens disappeared, as we'll as the Ia
BILE. They were replaced by wretched
wooden trestle, on which were crust
Of moldy bread and bottle Of dirty wa
ter. The rest Of the furniture consisted
of dirty mattress.
The artist entitled this "In Prison
For Debt" and signed his name in
large, staring characters III a corner Of
the canvas.
Then he hired a carriage, put in the
picture and drove off to find Signor
Melchior, the we'll known picture dealer
of Rue de la Madeleine, whose window
was always surrounded by admiring
crowds of the people of Brussels.
II have got something here for you,
which I think is pretty good. 1t is a
study Of shylock head. Will you put
1t In your Window"
Certainly" replied the dealer, de-
lighted at the idea Of having real
Wiertz to exhibit in his window, "when
shall send for it?''
IT have it with me- Come and look
at it,"
Melchior was extravagantly delighted.
It was superb. There would be scram-
BILE for such picture. What was to be
the price? "I don't know yet" said
Wiertz, who had an idea which he
wanted to work out "Place it we'll,
and we'll see II any one inquiries about
it, who seems really anxious to buy it,
let me know"
The picture was Immediately placed
in post of honor in the window and
the crowd soon began to gather. The
next morning all the papers were full of
the new picture which was to be seen
at Melchior's.
Now 1t happened that friend Of Van
Speck's, in passing the window, cast an
eye on the picture. "Great goodnessP'
be exclaimed, and within five minutes
had informed Van Speck of what be had
seen. That worthy at once hastened
posthaste to the window to convince
himself of what his friend told him.
Yes, 1t was he Exactly. I'm Prison
For DEBIT He, the most respected and
respectable lawyer in Brussels. Was it
possible that such thing could be per-
mittedf Pilloried by beggarly artist
in one Of the most public places Of the
city. No; that was too much for flesh
and blood. It must be put a stop to i'm
mediately. First Of all, the artist must
be compelled to withdraw his picture.
Then they would see who would laugh
last.
And the lawyer went of in fury to
see the artist.
Wiertz was idly lolling about in his
easy chair, smoking an exquisite cigar,
when Van Speck entered, furious, like
an avenging whirlwind. "How d'you
do, sir?" said the artist to the angry in
truder. "To what do I owe the favor of
your visit? Do you smoke? These are
capital cigars"
'Sir," replied the lawyer, without
deigning to notice the artists attempts
at civility, "let us get our affair settled
promptly, please. At this moment there
is exhibited in Melchior' s window pic
ture which attracts the attention Of ev-
cry passerby and which is making me
the laughing stock of the town. want
that stupid nonsense to cease immedi-
ately - Immediately, sir, repeat
You'll have the kindness, therefore, to
order the picture to be removed from
the window and brought back here to
your house. Then / shall know what
steps to take. Do you understand me?"
"Why, not perfectly, must confess.
I don't quite follow. There certainly
is picture of mine in Melchior's win
dow, but cannot see what harm or an
noyance that can cause you-in fact, I
fail to understand how it can affect you
in any way. You say it is making you
the laughing stock Of the town, but
them
Hoy dare you try to fool me thus?
That picture, sir, is my portrait!'
"Your portrait?''
eyes, my portrait Completely and
absolutely mine"
II beg your pardon. Let us get at the
facts. You came to me and asked me to
paint your portrait, which ! at last
agreed to do for the sum Of 5000 francs,
after considerable haggling on your
part. Wishing to do you pleasure, I
painted you from memory, and thought
I had succeeded pretty we'll. But you
soon disabused my mind Of that idea
You sent the picture back to me with
the announcement-in writing, if you
please-that there was nothing in COM
mon between your own honorable person
and the picture which had painted. Is
that so, or is it not?" Master Van
Speck, seeing that there was no loop
hole, remained silent.
"With that" continued Wiertz. "of
course, didn't consider that had any
obligations toward you, and, Of course,
wanted to get the best possible price
could for my picture. ! was at liberty
to do that, hope
Van Speck took two or three turns
about the room, and then said:
''Look here. don't like scandal OF
any kind, and I should like to arrange
this matter amicably. I'll pay you the
5000 francs and will withdraw the hor-
Tor from the window"
Zone moment" replied Wiertz, as he
nonchalantly stretched out his feet and
knocked the ash from the end Of his
cigar. "You must know that the i'm
provements which have been made to