The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-17

an x, Banker" Such was the title
of number n42, in the Salon catalogue, rep
resenting the portrait of man, the first
upon which one could gaze without desire
to refer to the catalogue to know whom it
represented.
However, two admirers stood as though
rooted to the spot, going into ecstasies over
the magnificent head; the one was a mid
die aged man. the other a young girl to
whom he pointed out various details in the
work which absorbed their attention.
One visitor at the Salon, young man of
about twenty-five, surprised at the inter-
est which these two evinced in a painting
which everyone passed by with Indifference.
went nearer to have look at the faces of
the singular amateurs.
but no. papa" the young girl was say
ing, that is not a spot, it is the shadow
from the knot in your cravat."
"Ahv' thought the young man." it is the
father and daughter; that explains their
remaining before the portrait. the original
admires himself in the portrait which rep
resents him..
The older man noticed the presence of
the younger one.
look, Henrietta" said he in an under
tone, there is a gentleman looking at my
portrait"
He turned and faced the young man; he
even went so far as to carry out the pose
in the picture, SO that ne might compare
the original to the painting, which he did,
with the intention OF pleasing the young
lady.
1T is quite striking SIR said he, after
comparing them. The old man was radiant;
he bowed and Immediately entered into con-
versation, but Henrietta, embarrassed by
the young mans glances, took her fathers
arm and drew him away.
Ernestin Lagrive, (for such was the young
mans name), followed the fair girl with his
eyes, and remarked to himself that the
artist would have done much better to have
portrayed the features of the pretty blonde
than those of her father, and went on to
open the catalogue to the number of the
portrait and read the above mentioned title.
So, said he, 1.-The father of this charm
ing girl is banker, is he? She looks a bit
grisette, but is charming nevertheless. All,
the chap who marries her won't have to
worry himself, with a banker for father
1n-law. 1 won't be the one to have such
luck; IL is true, that in my position to ask
a banker for the hand of his daughter
AND In reality Lagrive could not for a
for If he had not got away with all his
1ather (who had been dead several years.
had left him, he had very nearly done so.
His mother, whom he adored, tried to
tear him away from the fast and idle habits
of the worldly life he led, and begged him
to marry into some good and, if possible,
well-to-do family
by Jove! This bankers daughter"
thought he, would fit me like a glove"
and, like persons who hope for that which
they desire, he made this reflection: II
know that there are some rich fathers who
look to nothing but the happiness of their
daughters, and would not stop for the for
tunes OF their sons-in-law; I would make
his daughter happy, very happy. He had a
good face, our banker, at least as well as
1 could judge at a glance"
He examined the portrait with attention,
and sought to deduce from the faithfully
portrayed features what might be the char
acter, the good qualities and the faults; the
man had kindly smile, a happy face, all
Yes; but was not that his face in pose?
once away from the studio would he not
regain his natural expression?"
Had he only known that the original of
the copy he was carefully studying was
a simple concierge he would probably not
have had recourse to the science Of gall and
lavater to Judge his character. But why
the title, IN. x, Banker?" Only the little
trick of an unknown artist, who wanted to
make believe he had rich patrons; he said
to himself that his concierge, dressed by a
good tailor, would mata. in picture,
in ne pE saen b and that is how
There is portrait said Lagrive at last,
that can fatter myself / have examined
better than any one else, and if ! ever en-
years hence, it would take age or illness to
change him SO that I would fail to recog-
niZe him. -
But he was not to wait SO long, for he
found him with his daughter at the entrance
door, waiting for an unforeseen shower to
Have a carriage?" called a. small boy
Lagrive FASTENED as to accept the offer.
banker; 1--WE. will take the other.
Yes, SIR replied the boy and started
out into the rain as fast as his legs could
oh! papa" murmured the girl, "a car
riage is very expensive"
Her father, however remarked that he
could not tell how soon the rain would
cease, and called her attention to the black
ness of the sky; as for the tramways, they
would have to look out for them on the
avenue, and they had no umbrella.
Shortly afterwards carriage drove up
and stopped in. front of Legrive. The ur-
chin hoped out.
Here's your carriage, SIR said he; "get
And ours?" asked the concierge.
II only found one, but if you want to
wait, I'll try again."
Father and daughter lamented their fate.
The boy would be sure not to find one.
They were in a hurry to get home; the
mother was anXiously awaiting them to
prepare dinner. Lagrive, who guessed their
trouble, seized the opportunity which pre-
sented itself to make the acquaintance of
the banker and his pretty daughter. He APP
preached them.
IF you and your daughter will accept
seats in my carriage" said he Il will be
pleased to be of that assistance to you"
Father and daughter overwhelmed him
with thanks THAT is the gentleman who
complimented me on my portrait" whs-
pered the father.
Lagrive offered a second time they hest
tated, saying they might not live in the
same quarter of town; they lived at "a Eau
bourg PoiSSonniere.
IT pass directly by there" answered the
young man, not willing to lose this oppor-
tUnity, as he might never have such
other.
And, without waiting for a second objec-
tfon he told the driver where to go, assist
ed his new friends into the carriage, got in
after them and off they started.
All this exertion and kindness for a con-
cierge and his daughter! But that was only
the beginning. What enthusiasm, what de-
light, what thanks did he call forth, when,
during the course of the drive he learned
the young lady's love for the theater, tell
ing them that he had several friends who