Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-09-01
A Treasured Image
[Original.1

Carl, her husband was plunged in
deepest grief. 1t was weeks before the
obsequies were ended. Then the king set
about perpetuating his beloved wife's
image in his heart. He called together
the artists Of his kingdom and told
them whatsoever would paint portrait
Of his queen by which he could re-
member her as she was should be en-
nobled and an estate given him. Then
he ordered that all the likenesses the
queen had ever had painted be hung
in gallery, where competitors should
have free access to them.
More than hundred artists compel
ed, and when all were ready their pic
lures were hung In gallery by them
selves and the king went in to examine
them. He passed up on one side and
down the other, shaking his head at
the portraits
"They have painted her as an old
woman" he said. do they consider
that my beautiful wife was an octoge-
MARIAN? Take them away! I'll have
none of them"
Some of the artists who had pro-
duced the best pictures hearing the
kings criticism, asked for another trial,
which was granted. They softened the
lines in the queens face and made her
look ten years younger than she had
been at the time of her death. She
had died ut fifty and none of the pic
lures made her look over forty. The
king was still dissatisfied, declaring
that he would rather trust to his mem
DRY unaided than have it Influenced by
such likenesses. This discouraged the
artists, and not even for the chance Of
a title and fortune would any Of them
try again.
One day young man sought an in
terview with the king, declaring that
he had been sent from King Ohio,
neighboring monarch, to paint the dead
queens portrait. He claimed to be the
royal portrait painter and an artist Of
skill. He demanded, on behalf of King
Ohio, that if his portrait should be ac-
cepted the recompense should be the
hand Of King Carts daughter, the
Princess Ida, for King Othos son, the
Crown Prince Ralph. A proposition
with this marriage in view had been
made before, but King Carl, whose
kingdom was much more important
than that of King Ohio, had declined.
Now that all his own artists had fail
ed, and thinking that what he asked
was impossible, King Carl agreed to
the terms.
The artist asked that he might have
sittings Of the Princess Ida in order
to catch any expression of her mothers
she might have inherited. The request
was granted, and every day the prin-
cess went into the gallery where the
likenesses Of the dead queen were
hung. The artist copied from her fea-
lures all he cared to copy, but in order
to bring different expressions to her
face he chatted with her necessarily,
| and she was SO delighted with his con-
versation that every day she looked
forward expectantly to the time for her
sitting. Long before the picture was
completed she wished that the prize If
won might be given to the artist rather
than the crown prince.
Finally the artist announced that his
portrait was ready for the kings in
spection. Since this was an affair of
state King Carl summoned his min
listers to attend him, and with great
ceremony the royal party swept into
the apartment where the picture rested
on an easel. The moment the ministers
eyes rested on the portrait they looked
at each other in astOnishment. They
saw the queen not as woman of fifty
or Of forty, but at twenty. Some said
it was the Princess Ida and not the
| queen at all. Nevertheless all main
tanned silence till the king had spoken.
Hurrying forward he bent over it and
kissed the lips. For time he was
lost to all save the contemplation of
what seemed to delight him excessive
ly, then, turning, he said:
"My lords, there is my beloved wife
as clearly defined as If the image had
been painted from the one 1 carry in
my heart. To me the portrait is price
less, for having it constantly by me I
shall be able to keep my wife in my
memory as knew her in life. Let the
foreign minister announce to King
Ohio that the portrait is accepted, and
make arrangements for the wedding
between the Princess Ida and the
Crown Prince Ralph"
When the artist departed from the
kingdom the princess wept bitterly
that he had not won the prize for him
self instead Of for his sovereign. He
pressed her hand at parting and as
sured her that she would find the
prince loving husband.
When Prince Ralph came in state to
the nuptials he arrived In the night
and went at once with his suit to his
apartments. The next morning King
4 Carl and the princess awaited him in
the audience chamber with all the
court assembled to receive him. When
the door opened and he entered there
was hum of surprise. He was the
artist who had painted the winning
picture.
OF course the princess was happy and