The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-07-04
THE MIDAS TOUCH
IOriginal.]


setting the table for supper
us that your daughterT asked the
stranger Of the landlord.
yes, signor. Marina is my child,
given me the slightest trouble. Every
body loves her"
''She has q sad look"
"That is because she has come to the
manageable age and have no dot to
give her. She loves young man, Gull
emo Luigi, sheep tender, but lac is
very poor; besides, he is a dreamer, or
he fancies art, which is the same thing.
Instead of watching the sheep he
spends his time sketching them. Last
week he lost three sheep and was dis
charged on Saturday 1t IL this just
now that makes Marina sad"
''Is that one of his skctches-that
ram hanging on the waltz
Yes, signor."
The supper was brought In by the
little maid, who stood opposite the
stranger while he ate, waiting for his
orders with her hands demurely folded
and a faraway look in her eyes.
Shortly after supper Guiemo was
sent for. When the table was cleared
the young fellow came in. wondering, as
did Marina and the landlord, what was
wanted of him The stranger went to
the wall and took down the picture OF
the ram.
This ram" he said. "is out Of draw
ing The foreshortening IL bad, but of
course foreshortening IL very difficult
Let me show you how 1t should be
done"
Taking n pencil he roskctchcd the
animal on the back Of the paper, max
Ing the outline of elf before IT.
"Ah, slgnor It will step off the Clilf!
said Guliemo, delighted with the life
that had been infused into the drawing
Bring me your colors. Now you
and Marina stand off there. You,
Guiemo, fold your arms aud turn
away from her as II In anger. You,
Marina, drop to your knees. place one
hand on his, now try to think that lac
Is about 10 leave you. believing that
you have deceived him, while you are
innocent"
The lovers did ns the stranger had
bid them. For bali an hour he kept
them I'm the same position then let
them rest and posed them again,
When he had finished, he showed them
the picture. They both threw up their
hands with delight The little figure
of Guliemo had served rs a fine model
for an injured lover Marina for an In
jurcd innocence, their costumes enrich
Ing the sketch.
"Ah, slguor." said Gullcmo, III !
could but do that
"Nou may not do IL in figures, for
your talent lies in animals. You ar"
rather Landscer than Bougurrcau
Nevertheless you will one day he u
great painter"
How can that be when cannot hc
instructed
Genius finds n way. | think you
will break through the surrounding dis
advantages and rest upon It's proper
level"
The next morning the stranger took
his departure, and. before doing SO.
sent the picture, placing FIRST his name
on the corner, TO an art dealer in Paris
10 be sold.
Il 20 to Florence" he said 10 the
landlord "In few weeks | viii r.
turn this way and will stop with you
again Keep any mail that comes f.
me till then"
one morning month later the stran
ger reappeared at the inn and was re
celved 10y the landlord and Marina.
"A letter for you" said the landlord.
The stranger took the letter, opened
It, glanced at rectangular bit OF pa
per II contained and put II In his
pocket.
Where is GullemoW he asked.
"Ah, signor, since you We're here he
has not found another situation He
IL starving"
Send for him. want TO see him"
marina, whose interest In the stran
ger from the very moment lac reap.
pcared shone In her soft Italian eyes
ran Off for Gulicmo, while the land
lord went inside and returned with II
bottle OF wine which he set before his
guest Then Gulicmo and Marina
came. the youth looking hungrily at
the man who had told him lac was II
genius.
"Guliemo," said the stranger how
would you like 10 go witt me to Paris
to study artT
"Oh. signorr' exclaimed the youth,
catching his breath
Here" he said. opening the letter
and taking out the rectangular paper,
lis the means for your education
.'ue handed check to the boy, be
fore whose eyes danced the figures To-.
600 francs.
"lf you are steady fellow and do
not yield 10 the temptations of Paris,
If you wish TO return ard marry Ma
rina. | will make another sketch for
her dot"
A few moments passed before the
two young people could realize what II
all meant. Then with true native ltal-
ian simplicity they knelt before the
stranger. Marina's eyes were wet with
tears, and, taking the artists hand, she
kissed II.
who are you. siGnor who by the
touch OF your brush can turn paper in
10 goldg'
'My name is on the face OF the check
! must put II on the back that you may
draw the money"
All stared over the shoulder OF Guile