Chamberss Edinburgh Journal, No. 439 | Page 8

beer; 'for it has been already sold, and
partly paid for in advance. The picture is mine; and, though not very
anxious to dispose of it, yet, perhaps, we may come to some
understanding, and make a bargain.'
'Not so fast,' said the dauber; 'the sign belongs to me, and my
brother-artist was only kindly giving me a helping-hand. It is my lawful
property; and if this gentleman wants to buy it, he must deal with me
for it.'
'I tell you,' replied the tavern-keeper, 'that the "Break of Day" is my
property, as sure as it is now hanging in front of my house.'
The dispute was waxing louder and louder, when David broke in: 'And
am I to go for nothing in the matter? Methinks I might be allowed a
voice in it.'
'And a good right you have, brother,' said the sign-painter; 'and I am
sure you and I shall have no difference about it. But the open street is
no place for all this. We had better go into the house, and settle the
matter over a pot of beer.'
David, wishing to escape the continually increasing crowd, consented
to the adjournment, which, however, had no effect upon the disputants,
and the contest waged more fiercely than ever; nor did the
Englishman's reiterated offers to give for the picture its weight in gold
tend to allay it.
'But what will you say, if I won't let it be sold?' cried David, at length
losing all patience.
'Ah, good sir,' said the tavern-keeper, 'you would not deprive a poor,
struggling man like me of this opening for getting a little ready money
to enable me to lay in a stock of beer. As for that sign-painter, he is a
drunken sot, who has left himself without as much as a stiver to give
his daughter, who ought to have been married a year ago.'

'Do not believe him, sir,' cried David's brother-artist. 'Every one knows
there is not a fonder father in the whole town; and more shame to me if
I were not, for never was there such a good daughter as my dear, pretty
Lizette. I have no money to give her, to be sure, but she is betrothed to
an honest fellow, who is glad to get her, poor as she is. He is a young
Frenchman, a cabinet-maker, and no better workman in the whole city;
and they are to be married whenever he has anything saved.'
'A good child, and a good workman, and only waiting for wherewithal
to live! This alters the matter entirely,' said David; 'and the young
couple shall have the picture. We leave it to this gentleman's liberality
to name the price he is willing to give for it.'
'Illustrious artist,' said the Englishman, 'I rejoice in the decision you
have come to: Solomon himself could not have given a wiser one. As
for me, I have already offered a hundred guineas for the sign as it
stands; but I will give two hundred, if you will consent to inscribe on it
the two words "Pierre David."'
The name was no sooner pronounced, than a cry of astonishment and
delight burst from all present; and the poor sign-painter, with tears in
his eyes, implored pardon for all his rudeness and presumption, and
poured out grateful thanks for the Master's kind intentions in favour of
the young couple.
By this time the news had reached the crowd without, and was received
with repeated shouts, and cries of 'Long live David!' 'Long live the
prince of artists!' But the cheers became almost deafening, when the
pretty Lizette, having heard the wonderful story of a sign having been
painted that was to hasten her marriage, and give her a dowry of 200
guineas, made her appearance, and, without a moment's hesitation,
threw her arms about the neck of her benefactor, who returned her
caresses most cordially; declaring that, all things considered, he did not
know any one who had a better right to a kiss from the bride.
At this instant Talma, followed by Girodet and the collector, hurriedly
entered the tavern. Not finding David at his house, and being told of his
having left home very early, they became uneasy lest some accident

had befallen him, and set off in search of him.
'Thank Heaven, we have found him!' said Girodet.
'And very well employed, too, I declare,' cried Talma. 'If I could be
sure of meeting such a kind welcome from a pretty girl, I should not
mind getting up early myself!'
'Bravo, bravo, my old friend!' said Girodet, as, after a warm embrace
from him, he turned to examine the picture: 'I never expected to hear of
your changing your style, and turning Flemish sign-painter. But it is no
shame