The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-08-30

profile of young girl or the figure of
an old man, but all admirable, as you
have s zen for yourself. senor."
This Is certainly q curious affair,
gentlemen" observed Murillo, ''but we
shall soon learn who is this nightly WIS.,
liant. Sebastian" he continued ad-
dressing little mulatto boy about IA
years old who appeared at his call, "did
l not desire you TO sleep here every
night?"
"Yes, MASTER" said the boy, with IT,
midity.
"And have you done So"
"YeS, master"
"Speak, then. Who was here last
night and this morning before these
gentlemen came? Speak, slave, or 1
shall make you acquainted with my
dungeon" said Murillo angrily to the
boy, who continued to twist the band
of his trousers without replying.
"Ah, you don't choose to answer"
said Murillo, pulling his ear.
mo one, master, no one," replied the
trembling Sebastian, with eagerness.
"That is falsev' exclaimed Murillo.
''No one but me, swear to you mas
ter" cried the mulatto, throwing him.
self on his knees In the middle Of the
studio and holding out his little hands
in supplication before his master.
Listen to me-" pursued Murillo. 81
wish to know who has sketched this
head of the Virgin and all the figures
| which my pupils find every morning
here on coming to the studio. This
| night in place Of going to bed you shall
keep watch, and if by tomorrow you
do not discover who the culprit is you
shall have % strokes from the lash.
You hear; have said it. Now go and
grind the colors, and, you, gentlemen,
| to work"
From the commencement till the
termination Of the hour Of instruction
Murillo was too much absorbed with
+, his pencil to allow word to be spoken
but what regarded their occupation,
but the moment he disappeared the
pupils made ample amends for this re-
straint, and as the unknown painter
occupied all their thoughts the conver-
sation naturally turned to that subject.
Beware, Sebastian. Of the lash,"
said Mendez, "and watch for the cul-
prit, but give me the Naples yellow"
"You do not need it, Senior Mendez.
You have made it yellow enough al
| ready. And as to the culprit, l have
already told yeu that it is the Zombi."
Are these negroes fools or asses
with their Zombi?' said Gonzalo,
laughing. "Pray. what is a Zombi?"
"Oh, an imaginary being, of course!
But take care, Senor Gonzalo," con-
tinued Sebastian, with mischievous
glance at his easel, ''for 1t must be the
Zombi who has stretched the left arm
Of your st. John to such q length that
| if the right resembles it he will be able
to unite his shoestrings without stoOp.
ing"
"Do you know, gentlemen" said Is
turitz as he glanced at the painting
that the remarks of Sebastian are ex.
tremely just and much to the point?"
"Oh, they say that negroes have the
face of an ape and the tongue of a par
rot" rejoined Gonzalo in a tone of in
difference.
with this distinction" observed
Ferdinand, that the parrot repeat.
by rote, while Sebastian has judgment
in his remarks"
Like the parrot, by chance" return
ed Gonzalo.
"Who knows" said Mendez, who had
not digested the Naples yellow. ''thai
from grinding the colors he may Ont
day astonishs us by showing he know.
one from another?"
ITO know one color from another
and to know how to use them are TIVE
very different things" replied Sebas
tian, whom the liberty Of the studio
allowed to join in the conversation O
the pupils. And the truth obliges u
to confess that his taste was so ex
quisite, his eye so correct. that man.
of them did not disdain to follow tn
advice he frequently gave them re
specting their paintings. Although the.
sometimes amused themselves by teas
ing the little mulatto, he was a grea
favorite with them all, and this even
ing on quitting the studio each. givin
him a friendly tap on the shoulder
counseled him to keep strict watcl
and catch the Zombi for fear Of tn
lash.
1t was night. and the studio of Mu
rillo. the most celebrated painter in Sc
ville-this studio. which during the da
was SO cheerful and animated-wa
now silent as the grave. A singl
lamp burned upon a marble table, an
a young boy, whose sable hue hal
! monized with the surrounding dark
moss hut whose ewes sDarkled like dis
, monds at midnight, leaned against a
easel Immovable and still. he was S
, deeply absorbed in his meditations tina
the door of the studio was opened b
one who several times called him b
name and who, on receiving no answer
approached and touched him. Seba:
tian raised his eyes, which rested o
tall and handsome negro.
WHY do you come here. father! p!
said he in melancholy tone.
ITO keep you company. Sebastian"
There is no need, father. l ca
watch alone"
But what If the Zombi shoul
Gomez
. 81 do not fear him." replied the bo.
with pensive smile.
. "He may carry you away. my sol
9 and then the poor negro Gomez wi
have no one to console him in his sla
cry"
II "Oh, how sad-how dreadful 1t Is
o be a slaver exclaimed the boy, vice.
ing bitterly.
" "It is the will of God" replied the N
L