The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-22
WEAVING Fo2 a KING.
Romance En;wined in a Famous Piece of
Tapestry.

(From the Christian Observer
sit was several centuries ago that a
new art was introduced into France by
some Flemish artists. From the first,
this fascinating accomplishment caught
the eye of that beauty-loving nation. 1T
was also an industry that arrested the at
tention Of the King, as we'll as his SUBJ
iects. 1t was called tapestry weaving,
and was most wonderful improvement
even upon those webs cut from the looms
of the year 1900 by those skillful weavers,
the Saracens. For the invention had
taken on new features since it was res
ued from the ancient house of Gobelin.
Fresh patterns were devised with which
to add to its beauty and brighter colors
Wed with the faglike Gobelin scarlet,
SO much talked of in the reign Of Francis
l.
'tAnd now some of the most famous
artists of the day were Kept busy fur.
nishing new models for the lovely lengths
turned out of the great looms, while the
wbir-whir of the rapid wheels, the click
clack of the flying shuttles, were heard in
every city of the realm. These costly webs
were purchased to enrich grand palaces,
the luxurious homes OF the monarch and
his court. And so every effort was made
to furnish the market with new and
striking designs.
son certain day-so this old story
runs-an order came to the great looms Of
Beauvals for a piece of this tapestry rare
and beautiful enough to form the back
ground Of Il young Queens throne. There
was a good deal OF rivalry among the
weavers now as to whose skill should be
able to satisfy her taste and SO furnish
the web to the royal customer. The
looms were buster than ever before. The
al tisans woye with unusual are and
skill, each hoping that his own workman
ship would please bestt he imperial taste.
"Among the Flemish workmen was u
young apprentice, q mere lad, accustomed
to being ordered here and there, perfect
tasI, drudge, indeed, to his hard task
master. He was silent, sad-looking
boy, who seemed to have no friends and
to be quite alone in tho world. But he
had an eye for beauty, q taste for blend
ing colors and certain delicate skill in
inventing patterns for tapestry. Many a
time he was scolded and punished for his
experiments, yet was not cured one whit
OF MAKING Uu6Il. uty dppOhlCN w NC
the one pleasure of his solitary life.
Zone day when he was cleaning up in
the great loom room over which his mas
ter ruled, 1t occurred to him TO gather up
those bright threads out off and thrown
away by the weayers. He noticed the
floor was almost covered with them.
Evening after evening he gathered the
fragments until he had n store. lie sorted
and arranged the coiors with care and
taste And now the thought suddenly
flashed into his mind that he would make
piece of tapestry himself
'.At first the boy had no ether motive
than Just to while away some lonely
hours and to test his skill in weaving.
But as the inspiration of his work grew
upon him, as the interest in his task deep
ened, he began to toll in pride and hope,
and to take delight in his own power to
create thing of beauty. He had to work
in secret, however, at night. while the
rest slept. His stern master might for
bid the task, telling him harshly to leave
such things to his betters.' He could
scarcely have borne to give up now. He
made it sort of friend and confidant,
poor, lonely lad, and wove into the lovely
harmopies of his creation his own young
hopes and dreams. The tapestry became
at asst reflection of his finer fancies, his
fairsst thoughts and most patient powers.
1t was indeed a beautiful web, and he
grew to feel an intense JOY in it's possess
ion.
sit was finished ere long, and SO when
the King, with his attendants, came to
examine the costly store the poor appren-
tice-not without much inward treIn bling
placed among these his own work, so
that il might be seen and compared with
the rest. Would it be noticed? he won
dered. Would its unique beauty catch
the eye of any member of the imperial
partyp Would the King But he could
only wait and see what would happen.
and taking the glowing length in his
trembling hands he began to prepare it
for his Majesty's inspection.
"The boy took special pains with the
arrangement of the toldsaz he hlsng his