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

care you really rot afraid of the
Zombi, Sebastian"
My father, that is superstition Of
our country. Father Eugenio has as
sured me that God does not permit su-
pernatural beings to appear on earth"
why, then, when the pupils asked
you who sketched the figures they find
here every morning did you say it was
the Zombi?"
ITO amuse myself, father, and to
make them laugh. That was ALL
"Then good night. my son., And.
having kissed the boy, the negro re
tired.
The moment Sebastian found himself
alone he uttered an exclamation of joy.
Then. suddenly checking himself. he
said:
twenty-five lashes tomorrow IL do
not tel who sketched these figures and
perhaps more if l do Oh, my God,
come to my aidr' And the little mulat-
to threw himself upon the mat which
served him for a bed, where he soon
fell fast asleep.
Sebastian awoke at daybreak. 1t
was only 3 O'Clock. Any other boy
would probably have gone to sleep
again. Not so Sebastian. who had but
three hours be could cal, his own.
Courage, courage, Sebastian he
exclaimed as he shook himself awake.
''Three hours are thine-only three
hours! Then profit by them. The rest
belong to thy master, slave. Let me
at least be my own master for three
short hours. To begin these figures
must be effaced." And seizipg brush
he approached the Virgin, which. view
ed by the soft light of the morning
dawn, appeared more beautiful than
ever.
"Efface thisr he exclaimed "Efface
this! No; will die first. Efface this!
They dare not. Neither dare l. NO
that head-she breathes-she speaks
| it seems as if her blood would flow il
should offer TO efface 1t and that 1
should be her murderer. No, no, no;
rather let me finish it,
Scarcely had he uttered these words
when, seizing palette, he seated him
self at the easel and was soon totally
absorbed at his occupation. Hour aft
| er hour passed unheeded by Sebastian,
who was too much engrossed by the
beautiful creation of his pencil, which
seemed bursting into life, to mark the
| flight of time.
another touchv' he exclaimed. "A
| soft shade here; now the mouth. Yes,
there. 1t opens those eyes. They
| pierce ME through. What forehead!
| What delicacy! Oh, my beautiful
And Sebastian forgot the hour, forgot
he was slave, forgot his dreaded pun
ishment-all, all was Obliterated from
the soul of the youthful artist, who
thought Of nothing, saw nothing, but
his beautiful picture.
But who can describe the horror and
CONSERVATION of the unhappy slave
when on suddenly turning round, h
beheld all the pupils. with his master
at their head, standing beside him. I.
Sebastian never once dreamed Of JUS
tifying himself, and. with his palette in
one hand and his brushes in the other,
he hung down his head. awaiting in 81
lence the punishment he believed he
justly merited. For some moments 8
dead silence prevailed. for If Sebastian
was confounded at being caught In the
commission of such fragrant crime
Murillo and his pupils were not less
astonished at the discovery they had
made.
Murilio. having with a gesture of the
hand imposed silence on his pupils, who
could hardly restrain themselves from
giving way to their admiration, ap
preached Sebastian and. concealing his
emotion. said in a cold and severe tone
while he looked alternately from thu
beautiful head of the Virgin to the ter
rified slave who stood like a statue be
fore him:
"Who is your master. Scbastian?"
"You." replied the boy II voice
scarcely audible.
81 mean your drawing masterS said
Murillo"
"You. senor." again replied the trem
bling slave.
LIT cannot be. Inever gave you les
sons" said the astonished painter.
But you gave them to others, and
listened to Them" rejoined the boy, EN-
boldened by the Kindness of his master
And You have done better than lis
ten. You have profited by them!' ex
claimed Murillo. unable longer to con
ceal his adWiratio "Gentlemen, doe
this boy merit punishment or reward ?
AT the word punishment" Sebas
tian's heart beat quick. The word IRE
ward" gave him little courage; but
fearing that his ears deceived him. b
looked with timid and imploring eye
: toward his master.
"a reward, senorw cried the pupils 4
breath.
''That is well. But what shall 1t be ?
Sebastian began to breathe.
'Ten ducats at least" said Mendez.
"Fifteenw cried Ferdinand.
: NO" said Gonzalo; "a beautiful new
dress for the next holiday"
Speak, Sebastian" said Murillo
looking at his slave, whom none o
these rewards seemed to move. "Ar
these things not to your taste? Tel
! me what you wish for. l am so mucl
pleased with your beautiful compost
tion that will grant any request yo
may make. Speak, then Do not b
+, afraid"
"Oh, master, If l dared And Sc
i, bastian, clasping his hands, fell at tn
i feet of his master.
1t was easy to read In the half open
ed lips of the boy and his sparklin
O eyes some devouring thought with
= which timidity prevented him from u
tering.
, With the view Of encouraging hiT
Ieoch oS Tho punils suggested some Il