Gilpin observer., 1902-05-15

monument created by David Dangers
to the memory OF Marcos Botzaris,
and you know whether or not the
great sculptor was successful in his
determination that ne who fell at Mis-
solonghi should have monument
worthy of his heroism and patriotism
The story of that monument. sad
and pretty tale, is little known-too
little known. We iorget too easily.
There is no longer Botzaris; there Ia
no longer a Mavrocordato. Misso-
longhi itself is remembered but as
the place where Byron died, and even
then only when one says "Missolonghi
-1S24." And that is a long time ago.
The day David Dangers found the
inspiration he sought for his monu-
ment to Botzaris, he was walking
among the tombs of Pere-la- -Chaise.
He saw young girl lying on a grave
stone, at full length. tracing with
colored chalk the name Marcos Bot
zaris" on the headstone of the tomb
She had just finished the last one of
the letters on the otherwise blank
shaft of marble
my child" David called to her, as
he approached. why do you write
that name upon that tomb? That
tomb has nothing to do with Bot
zaris."
Il know it, Monsieur she replied.
'I simply came here for a walk, and |
was thinking of Marcos Botzaris. Be-
sides, the monument has nothing to
do with him because it is not half
good enough for him, beautiful as it
is in its simplicity"
why do you think it is not good
enough for him?" the sculptor asked
He was Greek, Monsieur!" she
said, simply.
She wept. David took note of her.
She was about foureeen, just budding
into womanhood. with the travail of
the transition expressed in her every
feature, every limb.
Here, he said to himself, was not
only the subject for his composition,
but the model for his art as well. His
statue took shape in his mind. This
girl. he thought to himself. would rep
resent, copied in stone, to the most
casual observer the struggle for free
dom. She would bend for him over
of that freedom from him and give
to the world in effigied marble the
story Botzaris fell too soon to finish.
Dawning life, the reincarnation of
liberty, would take up the work of the
dead. in its ever continuing effort to
fulfill its mission. 1t would be his
masterpiece.
Questioning the girl, he learned
nothing. She had nothing to tell, she
said. Her name? She would not give
it. Her residence? She shook her
head. She told him nothing beyond
that she happened to be in Pere-la-
Chaise for a walk.
David seated himself upon a nearby
monument He prefaced his remarks
with the question:
"You are Greek?"
"As Monsieur Sees" she said. proud
ly raising her head.
At trst she listened to him incredu-
lously. When ne spoke of her coua-
try's war for freedom. and his own
ideal of independence, a Ere kindled
in her eyes. and she dried her tears.
and listened, silently entranced. show
ing only by her heaving young breast
and the flashing of her eyes. the emo
tion his words occasioned her.
At length he reached the point of
his conversation. Would she pose for
him?
Il. Monsieur! I" she exclaimed. in
a paroxysm of eagerness and Joy as
she sprang to her feet.
YES" she said. He began to speak
Of paying her for the sittings she
should give him. but she would not
listen.
Il want no pay" she said. 1T is
for him!"
Come" she continued. "Is the
studio of Monsieur near? Let us
start"
He was puzzled. He did not know
what to make Of her. But to David
Dangers the words patriot" and
patriotism" meant something almost
sacred. She had in her. he saw. some
thing Of the spirit of Missolonghi. 1t
was better SO. Better for his work.
better for him, better for her.
so be it," he said. at length.
"Come."
He led her home with him at once.
and the first sitting was commenced.
Silent wrapped in her own thoughts.
with the exact expression upon her
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