Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-02
French ConnoiSseur Picks Up a
Masterpiece for a
Mere Song.
HIS DAY.DREAM SHATTERED.
TO His Surprise He Discovers That lie
Has Purchased u Badly Painted
Portrait OF GarlbaIdi.
snecinl Correanondence

Special Correspondence.
~ ARJS, April 2l-M. lie Roy IL
~ Irrenchnan of modest means,
and connoisseur OF pie
lures, has just been think
ing rather deeply OF tho old say
ing. "All is not gold that glitters"
AS a matter of fact. he has been think
ing some other thoughts also. but they
are not for publication. When you have
read this story of an experience of ais
you will understand why.
Recently this worthy Frenchman.
who-in strict coniidcnce-thinlSs rath
err highly of his ability as Il judge
of art. took a trip to Florence. Ii was
in the nature OF II fortnight's holiday,
but NJ. Leroy had determined TO COM
bine business with pleasure and bring
home something TO make his trip worth
while. For several days he made the
rounds of the picture dealers which
are all too numerous IN the Italian city,
without discovering any masters going
cheap Finally, however, his practised
and educated eye, fell upon a real III
tian. of course, the dealer had not tho
least idea that it was an example of
the great colorist, but then he, poor
man. was not connoisseur. Attempt
ing to hide his excitement as best no
could, NJ. Leroy inquired the price of
the picture and discovered to his in
tense joy that 1t could be had for q
very modest sum.
WOULD NOT TRUST HIM.
The dealer offered to send it, but
the Frenchman would not permit him
to. He paid spot cash and left the
store in hurry with his treasure un-
DER his arm. At every corner he
looked back to see If he was being fol-
lowed. He really expected to be called
back and told that most ridiculous
mistake had been made, But no such
thing happened and he reached his
hotel in safety,
Once inside his room Mr.. Leroy lock-
ed his door and uncovered his "find"
for another look. Yes. there was no
doubt that it was a Titan. 1t must
be wroth at least--he could not Off
hand put IL price on II, but surely IL
was enough to put him on Easy street
the rest of his life. He pictured his
new possession purchased by the
French government and placed in
position of aonor in the Louvre.
DoCToRED THE PICTURE.
AT this point he realized that all was
not plain sailing yet. There is q strict
law In Italy forDidding the expectation
of examples of the recognizsi masters
from the kingdom. But our French
" 10 Of f,,H IN
and he finally hit upon very clever
eNpedient Taking his paint box he
painted lightly over his Titan por
trait of the king of Italy in UNIFORM.
by this trick he figured that he would
surely be able TO get his treasure past
the yigilant custom officials.
And his judgment proved correct.
Arriving at the frontier the next day
he showed his picture and the officials
passed it SO quickly that IL offended
the pride OF the Frenchman who pos
Besses considerable pride In his art as
well as I'm his judgment As soon as
he arrived i'm his beloved Parfs no
went to his rooms ana started remoV-
Ing his picture of the king OF Italy
and restoring the Titan TO sight.
THE AWAKENING.
With n screw of wadding dipped in
alcohol he worked patiently and eN-
pectantly. Imagine. II you can, his
surprise and disgust when there slow
" appeared, not his priced master
piece but badly painted picture of a
man whom he recognized as Garibaldi
His precious Titan had disappeared
long with his hasty sketch Of the
italian monarch. What puzzled him,
lOwever was that "a portrait OF Carl
lnldi should appear under n painting
oy Titan, who lived so long before
ls soldier countryman. Inevitably
he was forcsd to &Sis conclusion that
the bitter had boes bit"
Which all goes to show that all the
suckers are not American.