The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 30, 24 July 1902, Page 23

The Storyteller

THE BLACKSMITH OF ANTWERP.

(Concluded ) Genevieve Claes sat at her window looking at Gretchen walking down the street She had sent her on an errand which she would fam have performed herself. Since her letuin from church she had been watching for an opportunity to go and 1 inquire) after Quintin's health, but her fa then had kept her closely occupied in his studio preparing colors and cleaning his brushes, which was one of her habitual tasks, and now he had ordered her not to go abroad thati day, for he expected his friend, Master von Daxis, from Haanlem, and Genevieve must be at home to receive him and attend to all the duties of hospitality. Her heart sank within her, for she foresaw what this meant , but it was better not to let Quintin expect to see her that evening and disappoint him at last, so she despatched Gretchen to say she was detained at home, to ask how he did, and gne her lo\e to Madame Matsvs. The lamp was not jet lighted in the blacksmith's house His mother sat at the window as Genevieve had done , but not to look out into tho street, only to catch the last rays of light wherewith to imish mending, her son's stockings Now and then she turned towards him and noticed that his much-loved face was looking still paler and nioie wan than usual. except when the hectic flush of fever brought a fitful color into his thin cheeks. Park shadows were passing that evening o\er his countenance, even as the clouds were swiftly careering across the sky, which had suddenly became stormy 'Mother,' exclaimed Qumtm, raising himself from his couch after a long silence and leaning on his elbow, ' mother, just look out and sco if it is raining ' At that moment Gretchen knocked at the door He spiang to his feet, but fell back disappointed when ho saw that it was only Grelchen ' My mistress.' said the handmaid, ' sends her lo\e to you Madame Matsvs, and these preserves, which she bade me say ;u c of hei own making, and begs to know if v out son is less ailing than when she called on you last night She cannot leavu home this evening as my master is expecting company Company '' eiaculated Quintm, faintly 'Yes, company from Haarlem The worthy Master von l)axis H head of the school of painting m that city. Ho is bringing to Antwerp his famou^ picture of the laismg of Lazarus, which is to be exhibited in the. Town Hall , and to carry off the prize too, it is supposed What answer shall I take back to may mistress ° 1 am afraid you are not better, sir,' she added, as the young man leaned back on the couch with a face as pale as nshes and a quivering lip. 'Tell Genevieve to pray foi us,' said Madame Matsvs m a sorrowful \ oice. ■ What is the use of pun ing,' exclaimed her son, with bitterness and when the door was closed upon Gretchen ho broke forth into passionate lamentations ' 1 have pr.aved for days prayed through long. sleepless nights, prayed to be saved from starvation, beggary, disgrace . prayed that this poor, weak aim might be strengthened to work Look at it, mothei , how wasted it is— weaker than ever to-night I have never felt so ill as to day That is all the answer that my praj ens and yours and hers have received And vet 1 had so hoped, so trusted that for Genevieve's sake they would havo been heard ' If ever theto was a good little soul on earth '

'Of course she is,' chimed in his mother.. 'The best i realm c thai e\er breathed, and the pietliest into tho bargain. It is a shame and a sm that her father should loiujx'l her to marry the old, hideous Von Daxis, lust because the man can hold a painting brush belv een his iiii^uis ' Oh, mother, do not talk of that, you torture me — ,\ou dine me wild ' My head is burning and 1 lie here and think and think till mv brain seems on lire.' 'Nay, but that will ne\er do, my boy,' said a rough, good-humored voico at his elbow ' l>r Arnicn ' is tluil you ' ? Oh, sir, you can do nothing tot me, and tho Blessed Virgin will not help me ' And cannot jou do something to help yourself, inj boy 7 Wh.\ aie you lying thete idling away .your time ? ' ' Doctor, this is ci uel Cod and my mother \now th.it J would gi\e away half of ni\ life for the sttength to do a day's work ' 'Nobody wants half \ oui life, or any part of it eithei But there must bo an end ot this doing-noth-mg system , it is enough to give you a brain fever ' But when a man cannot so much as life a hammer "> ' ' And who wants 3011 to lift a hammer, you booby lias the Almighty made- nothing in this world but blacksmiths ajid hammers > Sit UP What, too weak to stand ' Not such a very weak pulse though — nothing but exhaustion fi om li ettmg, 1 suspect Come iiioilht prop him up with pillows <ukl bring that can/110 here. Now. what will .you, do' 3 Anything hut lie theie thinking '> ' ' >Ho has not. closed hi,s c\ es for several nights, s.uil Madame Matsv s* " J should not wondei at all Mote shame- for him A\hat have we got here — a picture ' "Ah ' When tli.it picture was put into mv hand this mommy 1 did hope ' ■ .Ne\er mind what \<>u hop 1 d this morning lleie is ,i sh< i i <>i papei and a |>enc il , uiju loi im 1 diiectU thoso figuiis ,nid that i|ii<ii little !>it of lan(K(,i|H' m the b.uUgioiind I h.l V c HP\ i 1 111 II 1\ 1 lie held .1 pencil , sir ' What iloi s ih.ii signilv ' l'o as 1 bid you I'rv A faint ■-mile passed o\t i Ihe v oung man s f.w e It t- a new soi i ot ph\ sii \ou aro ]>i esi 11 In ng foi mi si i *\ h 1 hei c ait llltil c lllfilu Hies in this woild mv bo\ , than .tie found in chemists shops oi than w isi>i hea<N than \oun- ha\e e\ei In. nil of 1 shall call tgam in two 01 thiee houi s and it \on h,i\e not tollowed in v pi esi ii pi ion F sh.t 1 1 ne\ i r imiii 1 him i you again So sa\ ing Ihe litt le (liutiii di p. i rted and Quinlin set about examining the piCtuie he was desned to copy It was a si ill and sonnwli.it angular production of the woi k oi some gieal m.istei 1 epi osented the figure of Om l.oid as lie stood at the dot)', (if St IVtei's house liealum all uiannei ot discasi<i p< t - sons (Jiniiiiii u.i/i'd upon it long and steadih am) lln n began his task 11 is iingt i s felt \ei \ si ill and awkward <n in si but giaduallv he grasped the p> ik il in a liinier manner and as he in (needed his whole soul was absoibid in his eniphnment r l he buinmg (lush on his < hecks subsided a calmer expiession stole o\ei his face When he had eomphiod tin principal (iguie and s.iw thai it was not unlike the original — that theie was o\on something moie noble and moi c casv in tho at tit inle ot the one he had drawn than in that of Iho wood-cut cngrav ing — a look of pleasiu c beamed

m his eyes He copied it over ajid over again, and when he sketched the face of a young girl just restored, to health and gazing on our Lord with enraptured gratitude, ho made tho featui.es like those of Genevieve, amd gave them her expression. Then a strange kind of joy rose in his heait mid quieted his brain. But he was \erv weak, and as the fever on his spnits subsided he grew sleopv , his head fell back on the pi'Jow and nhwi Iho doctor returned he was rving fast asleep,, with his pencil mi his- hand nnd his di awing before him As l)r Armen gave a glance at the paper a broad smile spread oven his good-natured face. 'Mum.,' he said to himself, 'I think I see my , way to a still more efhcacious medffeino for this- complicated case than even my prescription of to-nigiht has furnished. Twenty grams of bodily repose and as many of intellectual employment, mixed up with an ounce of happiness : if that recipe does not succeed, let me never be called again a good physician Let him sleep on as many hours as possible, good mother,' ho said, taking leave of Madame Matsvs, ' and when he wakes tell him the doctoi has .stolon away his drawing ' Gene\ie\o was presiding next morning at the substantial Flemish bieakfast, to which her father and Master von J\ixis were doing ample iwstice Though she answered very prettily when spoken to, she did not appear much inclined to comverse. Once only .she answered a question with considerable energy. Their guest inquired if she cared" for ingsNo, sir.' Uenevieve replied; 'I don t like them at all ! ' I hope, fair maiden,' he rejoined, th.it tins dislike does not extend toj pa intei s "> ' 'My father is a painter, sir,' sha lcplied, with a deep blush. Hut for, that circumstance you would, pei haps, have answered in the atlirmative,' exclaimed VonjDaxisi laughing It is strange how seldom talents and tastes are hereditary' "That is quite true, sir,' she eagei lv obseived 'I could never di aw at all ' "What a blessing for youn husband. Mistress Genev ie\<i ' His) clothes will then have a chance of being piopeilv mended and his din-ni-i pi opi il\ cooked ' Ceiu'vievc bit her lip, and for the lust time wished herself endowed "" li ' lie genius of an Elizabeth .Si i am In Aimui was at this moment announced He was a favor.ito both with Hans Claes and with his daughter. <\fter ho had seated himself at the breakfast table and been helped to Westphalia ham, ho drew fi om his pocket a thick roll of p.lpel Look at this, sirs,' he said, addiissing the two painters , 'you both well kjiow what talent is ; there. ai,e no two better nidges of design than Mast cm Claes and Master von Daxis- The sketches which you see hefoi c> you ai c the perfonmance of a man who never till yesterday had held a pencil m his hand or drawn a lino upon paper What say you, nood sus, i o the promise of genius such as a lust attempt holds forth ? What think you of it, my masters?' Mans Claes put on Ins spectacles, and his fi lend looked over his should'M On iheir gnm faces stole a Idok of wondei and then they tinned to each other and smiled. Can you give me your word of honor. Pi Aimcn.' said Hans Claes, that the person who made this copy had ne\ei befoie attempted to di aw '' 1 can take my oath on it, Master Claes ' Hut, hold ' ' exclaimed tho Haarlem painter 'tis not altogether a> copy, 1 suspect Look at the face, Mastei Claes Who is it like, should you say ° '

' Why, it strikes mo that it is a likeness, and a good one too, of my daughter ; the expression of the eyes has been hit off to the life. Dr. Armen, listen to me ! ' cried Hans Cl'aes, striking the tablo with his" fist. 'If you warrant me that the man who has made those sketches be an honest fellow, though he should be begging his bread— l will take him into my school ; 1 will teach him mysolf ; I will provide for his wants, and if in time he arrives at being what ho should bo with such a master — though I say it that should not — why. if he cares to have her, I will' give him that girl there for a wife. I beg your pardon Master von Daxis;, there was nothing agreed upon, you know, between us, and this man, whose first attempt- UL hold in my hand, will prove, please God, an, honor to tho good town of Antwerp and to his master, Hans Claes.' Genevie\o turned her eyes reproachfully on Pr Armen. Ho was looking so provokingly pleased, as if ho could hardly contain his joy. It was unkind of him, she thought, not to feel for a poor girl who was made tho sport and the victim of her father's fanatical passion for his art. ' Is that really a promise, Master Claes ? ' tho doctor said ; for, mind you, this incipient limner, who is as worthy a fellow as ever breathed, is, as it appears, a friend of mine, and as sure as my name is Armen, I will keep you to your word.' ' I give you my hand upon it, doctor. Master von Daxis, you know I made you no promise.' ' And if you had, good master, I would releaso you from it. Your daughter hates painting and painters, and it is a shame to force her inclinations. If I were you ■' 'If you were me, Master von Daxis, you would consult \ our child's best interests by bestowing hen hand on one who will sharo with her an honored name To be tho wifo of a great painter is more glorious by far than to wed a monarch. And now let m© know tho name of your friend, who will be tom.orro'w my pupi^, and, if ho wrap not his talent in a napkin, one day my son-in-law.' Dr. Armen smiled and played with his teaspoon. Without raising hH eyes ho said * Quint m Matsys, the blacksmith ' Hans Claes made an exclamation of surprise, Genevie\o clasped hen her hands together and looked at hen father with an imploring countenance. ' Tho world will one day hear of tho Blacksmith of Antwerp,' he exclaimed, with enthusiasm ' Fetch tho boy His mother, too — she nursed that child of mine for many a long year We ha\e neglected her too much. Ay, indeed, you may smile, Mistress Gene\ leve — you may kiss your old father find hang about his neck . Ivut mind, girl, if Quintm Matsys is e\er to be thy husband ho must bo also nn eminent painter And hark \e, one thing moro I ha\e to say : there must be no lovemaking in tho school — no cleaning of brushes or preparing of colors there to distract tho \outh from his studies ' Genevie^o looked very humble and Rubnnssne, and when Quintm Matsys entered the house from which he had been so long excluded, still walking feebly and leaning on the doctor's) arm," but with a look of leturning health on his face, she tried \ery hard not to smile or cry , but when she kissed his mother. try hard as she would, she did both. Later m tho day, too, when Master von Daxis maliciously reminded her that sho hated paintings «\nd painters, she laughed outright , but when Quintm Matsys whispered to her, 'I will never s.iv again "What i:< tho use of prating '' " ' then hen tears fell fast. Tho little Confnaternity pictures was framed and hung up in tho room of the Blacksmith of Antwerp when

ho married, and every year, with his wifo Genovieve, he went on the day of the procession to return thanks at Our Lady's Altar, where he had once thought he had prayed in vain — ' Catholic Standard.'