Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-12-05
The Mysterious hGSIeI.
sy William I.e Oueux.

7llii!illlilli IlH .F.i.i.i.ilisE
really cDyht ;.oi - relate this story
] suppose. hccs:.Sr tA,. person it chiefly
concerns f. >;ili living and is one Of the
best known in"u ia Europe. h,l ~ bi.
"@raphcrS have habit OF bctra ing
ron:idenceS tim. that i'm this n,oft.r
may he forgiven 4 auticipair them.
| was poor. my cloti., wc~c thread
bare and my stomach ,.as rfi"n pain.
fully empty.
Nhi." busy copying Durer's "Adora.
tion or tho Mayi" in the UGl-i In an al.
tempt TO grasp its marvellous technical
handling and fiuency Of coIurins three
bright faced English girls. probably
tourists. entered the Trihuna one OF
them passed bch.ud me 10 examine NV
work. then. probably taking me for an
Italian because OF my pegtop trousers
nnd soft hat. exclaimed quite audjbIv
In English 10 one OF her cumpanions:
Look, dear. What a frightful daub!
The poor fellow is student. | sup
pose But he'll never make an artist.
that's certain"
An hour later | was sitting i'm the at
tic. high UP above the noisy Via Con-
dotti, which served me as a studio and
living room. plunged I'm black despair
The door opened. and there advanced
timidly into the room strange. III
dressed, white haired old man. who re-
moving his shabby hat. greeted me af-
fably I'm italian. His face was thin and
wizened. his figure lean and shriVeled,
but his eyes were black and full OF a
fire that age had not dimmed Accom-
panying him was n young girl OF per
haps IL OF that rare type the fair hair
ed Florentne.
Il trust You will pardon my intru-
sion" croaked the queer old fellow In a
thin. squeaky voice. IL noticed YOU
copying In the Tribuna today. and IL
afterward occurred 10 me tha, you
might have some pictures for sale.
When | returned. however. you had
gone. Therefore asnertslned your
address and came here. Have ] your
pardon:
All" he added. you have something
there see
1T is Il failure" ! admitted sadly
He raised his eyes ia mine with an
| inquiring glance and then proceeded TO
critlcise my work I'm manner which
| showed him TO be no tyro In art
rhe young girl with The blue eyes sat
. gazing at the picture. but nIIering
- word fancled however, that she
| s!ghed.
'"You see my work. have no tai
ent." ! added deSpOndently. when In
answer 10 his inquiries | told him my
story.
"You mistake" hc answered kindly.
/ "fOu have some talent. but you lack
the dexterity which makes an artist.
That picture there. for instance" and
| he pointed to the easel. might be turn
eti into very creditable piece OF work
with but little effort, II youll allow
me, I'll give you an illustration Of
what l meau."
To this | made no objection, and a
| few moments later he was at work
with brush and palette painting away
with astounding rapidity. while
stood by wondering as the picture grew
beneath his hand by the addition OF
subtle touches here aud there he was
completely transforming the work.
showing the tinted and throbbug flesh
against the warm light ground with a
technical execution that bewildered
me. had never seen a man paint like
| that before,
! "Ah," ! exclaimed at last In profound
admiration. 'the signore is a painterH
~ have painted" he answered enig-
| matically. and his lips closed as though
be wished 10 say nothing OF himself II
DO not buy my own poor work. But
you are In need" he said. Tomorrow
take II to Ferroni In the Via Caizaloli"
10 Ferronir I exclaimed. But he
is the greatest and most critical of all
the dealers Surely he Will not care
! for my work2"
"Take IL to him and see,"
stood before the easel In the soft,
red light Of the italian afterglow and
marveled at the transformation that
had been effected.
Next day. with the canvas under my
arm. ] entered Ferronps. not, | must
confess. without some trepldation.
When the dealer saw 1t. he grunted:
TThe old man has done this 1t isn't
your own work he said bluntly. look
ing at me- The mystpyiope master
pas been at work again How did he
discover yon2.
| explained thc whole Of tbs ciso"m-
stances.
! "Ah. you arc mcky indredr' he re