Not
that these men were entirely devoid of talent, but because they could
do nothing without their palette and their paint brushes. Now that
illustrious _maestro_, Mr. Jack Becker, has both genius and ingenuity,
for he has succeeded in dispensing with the aforementioned troublesome
auxiliaries of his art. His plan which has the advantage of not being
patented, consists in placing his subject before a mirror, where he is
permitted to stay till the portrait takes root in the glass. By this
novel method the original and the copy will be subject alike to the
ravages of time, so that no one, on seeing a portrait, will be liable
to mistake the grand-mother for the grand-daughter. Likenesses
guaranteed. Payments, under all circumstances, to be made in advance.
"Ah, well," said Becker, laughing, "it appears that the scapegrace has
not spared himself."
"I hope there is not a fourth proclamation," said Mrs. Wolston.
"There are no more trees on our route, at all events," replied
Becker.
"Glad to hear that; Jack must respect the avocation chosen by Frank,
since he sees nothing in it to ridicule."
As they drew near the Jackal River, in which the pinnace was moored,
Mary and Fritz were a little in advance of the party.
"Are you really determined to turn the world upside down, Master
Fritz?"
"At present, Miss Wolston, I am myself the sum and substance of my
army, in addition to which I have not yet quite made up my mind.
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