The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-10-15

the ia n re, bt
all tl0~~
. "\} hai-l ;ieur?'
said the .5a. only in
terested
"What : 9aN We 100
guinea for jh3e answer
ed the young FL getting
off his horse.
= "That picture i not to be sold, .
said the sign pain er, wi,n an air
of as much pride as if it had been
his own work.
"No," quoth mine host, "for it is
already sold and even partly paid
for in advance. However, if mon
sieur wishes to come to an arrange
ment about it it is with me that he
must treat"
"Not at all, not at ALL" returned
the Flemish painter of signs. ct
belongs to me. My fellow artist
here gave me a little help out of
friendship, but the picture is my
lawful property, and | am at liberty
to sell it to any one | please"
"What roguery| exclaimed the
innkeeper. "'My Rising Sum is
my property. Fastened on the wall
of my house, how can it belong to
anybody else? Isn't it painted on
my boards? No one but myself has
the smallest right to it"
'1'll summon you before the mag
istrate!" cried he who had not
painted the sign.
'G'll prosecute you for breach of
covenant" retorted the innkeeper,
who had half paid for it.
Zone moment" interposed anoth-
er energetic voice, that of the inter
loper. 'Tt seems to me that I ought
to have some little voice in this
business"
'Quite right, BROTHER" answered
the painter. ''Instead of disputing
on the public road, let us 60 into
Master Martzen's house and arrange
the matter amicably over bottle of
wine"
To this all parties agreed, but /
am sorry to say they agreed in moth
ing else, for within doors the dis
pute was carried on with deafening
confusion and energy. The Elem
ing contended for the possession of
the painting, and the Englishman
repeated his offer to cover it with
gold.
'tBut suppose that I don't choose
to have it sold?" said its real au-
thor.
ooh, my dear monsieur" said the
innkeeper, 81 am certain you would
not wish to deprive an honest, poor
man, who can scarcely make both
ends meet, of this windfall. Why,
it would just enable me to lay in
good stock of wine and beer"
Don't believe him, brother"
cried the painter. ''He is an old
miser. / am the father of family,
and, being a painter, you ought to
help a brother artist and give me
the preference. Besides, I am ready
to share the money with you"
"Hew said Master Martzen.
"Why, he's an old spendthrift who
has no money left to give his daugh-
ter as marriage portion because
he spends all he gets on himself"
E'No such thing. My Susette is
betrothed to an honest young
French cabinet maker, who, poor as
she is, will marry her next Septem-
ber."
GA daughter to portionp' ex-
claimed the stranger artist. "That
quite alters the case. | am content
that the picture should be sold for
marriage portion. l leave it to
our English friends generosity to
fix the sum-"
81 have already offered" replied
the best bidder, 900 guineas for
the sketch just as it is. will glad
ly give 200 for it if the painter will
consent to sign it in the corner with
one word"
"What word ?" exclaimed all the
disputants at once.
The Englishman replied:
"Meissonier.
The whole party were quiet
enough now, for they were struck
dumb with astonishment. The sign
painter held his breath, glared with
his eyes, frantically clasped his
hands together and fell down on
his knees before the great French
painter.
Forgive me!" he exclaimed.
Forgive me for my audacious ig-
norance."
MISSIONER laughed heartily and,
taking his hand, shook it with fra
ternal cordiality.
At that moment the friends whom
he was expecting arrived. They
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