Year: 1860

he become in his employment, and a
few days served to place the work be-
yond the possibility of proving a failure.
The artist was satisfied. The work
was nearly completed, one expression
upon the face alone was wanting. 1t
was the agony experienced by the Sa-
viour when the spear was thrust into his
sides, and the nails pierced his hands
upon the cross. The painter sat with
the beggar bound before him. 1t was
the last touch of the brush; he gazed
upon the uneasy body of the mendi-
can't, on whom he had drawn the cords
tighter than usual. The expression in
the countenance Of the artist was one
of strange and struggling passion; some
dark resolve was passing through his
brain. Suddenly he drew his dagger
and pinned the beggar to the cross!
The agony of death was on him, and as
he writhed beneath the pain of that
fatal blow, his face assumed the very
expression that the painter wanted.
It was the dying look-half reproach-
full, half forgiving, yet wrought with
agony of pain.


With an effort at calmness he seized
his brush, and catching that express
sion, placed it upon the picture with
faultless accuracy-it was perfect-the
painter trembled violently with the fear
full excitement of the moment, II was
done! The Pope's order was fulfilled,
the mendicant was corpse!


On the subsequent day came the all
powerful head Of the church to see how
his order had been executed. A dim
but faultless light had been arranged
so as to fall upon the painting, and as
the curtain was Withdrawn, and his
holiness beheld the perfect picture, saw
the wonderful accuracy of detail, the
marked excellence of even the most
triAing part of the painting; and finally
the almost miraculous expression of the
death agony IN the face, he exclaimed,


with amazement:


s'Hath Heaven inspired this mani!


and he fingered long and even anxious
ly by the wonderful picture, until, at
last, ordering its removal on the subse-
quent day, he returned to his palace
!; delighted at the successful result of his
order to the artist.


: No sooner had the Pope returned tc
his treasury than he ordered ten thou
sand piastres to be sent to the young
l artist, as the price Of his picture. This
: money was received, and the young


painter hurried forth with the two bag:
: that held the sum, and sought, in re
e tired part of the city, the residence o
+ the beggar's family. He found the sor
: rowing wife and weeping children, de
s posted the ten thousand piastres in he
r hands, saying that it was sent to her b.
IS the Pope, and then returned to hi
l. studio.


;e On the following morning file


the papal guard was heard approachin
"a the door, and the artist knew that hi


crime was discovered, and that thes
soldiers had come to arrest him. /
r moment only he hesitated, then seizin


brush, with one dip into a pot, and


dash upon that almost living picture, h
lie obliterated every line of beauty an


left it mere daub! The soldiers came


he was arrested and thrown into prison
~ With that abruptness characteristic {


the government and the times, he We


examined by an officer, and condemne
ou at once to die!


But there came message from I'll


Pope to his dungeon, when it was foun
'u that this wonderful picture was ruine


saving if he would restore the paintin
fe to it's original perfection, he should


pardoned. Asserting to this, the ar
ed ist demanded to be led back to h


studio, where guard was placed at h
re door. Being once again alone, he di


ped piece of canvass in preparatic
re known to himself, and in one nome


obliterated every sign of disfgureme
ed he had made upon the painting, al


calling for the officer entrusted with t
ast execution of the business, exhibited {
re most instantly, the restored picture!
ne 'sThis is miracle!!" exclaimed t
10, officer, in utter amazement.
al care you satisfed!''


en- 81 am; but how have you perform
LED such strange piece Of"
re- cit matters not; have I done as y
me required of me?''


he You have.''


10 'sThen you will release me!''
M M "My orders are to do so,' repli
If the officer, regarding the artist with
Ha lent amazement, as he handed him t
nat pardon already signed by the Pope.
hle bIs Taking possession of the paintir
,on m the officer superintended its removal
nd once to the cath hedral, when it was plac
ms in the spot it was destined to fill. I
ri; M artist followed, saw his work placed
the the niche prepared for it, beheld
on enhanced effect in its new and sacl
in position, then knelt before the altar
ct prayer.


ate Seeking one of the fathers, he OPP
cd ed the inmost secrets of his heart at
md confessional, was promised the forgi
hat ness that his religion vouched to