THE PAINTER OF SEVILLE.-SUSAN WILSON. Sebastian Gomez, better known by the name of the Mulatto of Murillo, was one of the most celebrated painters of Spain. There may yet be seen in the churches of Seville the celebrated picture which he was found painting, by his master, also St. Anne, and a holy Joseph, which are extremely beautiful, and others of the highest merit. The incident related occurred about the year 1630. "Twas morning in Seville; and brightly beamed The early sunlight in one chamber there; Showing, where'er its glowing radiance gleamed, Rich, varied beauty. "Twas the study where Murillo, the famed painter, came to share With young aspirants his long-cherished art, Who strives his unbought knowledge to impart,— It almost seemed that there were given Tints and expression warm from heaven. "Whose work is this?-speak, tell me!-he "Will yet be master of us all. Among ye all?" With half-breathed sigh, "How came it then?" impatiently Ere long into this mystery. Sebastian!" At the summons came A bright-eyed slave, Who trembled at the stern rebuke For, ordered in that room to sleep, "Thou answerest not," Murillo said; "List!" said his master. I would know To answer what I ask, The lash shall force you- do you hear? 'Twas midnight in Seville; and faintly shone From one small lamp, a dim uncertain ray Within Murillo's study-all were gone Who there, in pleasant tasks or converse gay, Passed cheerfully the morning hours away. 'Twas shadowy gloom, and breathless silence, save, That to sad thoughts and torturing fear a prey, One bright-eyed boy was there,-Murillo's little slave, Almost a child,-that boy had seen Not thrice five summers yet, But genius marked the lofty brow, O'er which his locks of jet Profusely curled; his cheek's dark hue To Africa and Spain allied. "Alas! what fate is mine!" he said. "The lash, if I refuse to tell Who sketched those figures; if I do, Perhaps e'en more,-the dungeon-cell!" He breathed a prayer to Heaven for aid; It came-for soon in slumber laid, He slept, until the dawning day Shed on his humble couch its ray. "I'll sleep no more!" he cried; “and now Three hours of freedom I may gain, Before my master comes; for then I shall be but a slave again. He seized a brush-the morning light He cried, "Shall I efface it? No! The terror of the humble slave Gave place to the o'erpowering flow He touched the brow, the lip-it seemed Of punishment still hanging o'er him; For, with each touch, new beauties met And mingled in the face before him. At length 'twas finished; rapturously The terror-stricken slave was mute; Mercy would be denied, E'en could he ask it, so he deemed, And the poor boy half lifeless seemed. Speechless, bewildered, for a space At length Murillo silence broke, "You, Senor," said the trembling slave. "Nay, who, I mean, instruction gave, Before that Virgin's head you drew?" Again he answered, "Only you." I gave you none," Murillo cried! "But I have heard," the boy replied, "What you to others said." "And more than heard," in kinder tone, The painter said; "'tis plainly shown That you have profited." "What (to his pupils) is his meed, Reward or punishment?" Reward, reward!" they warmly cried. To catch the sounds he scarce believed, But still unmoved Sebastian stood, "Speak!" said Murillo, kindly; "choose With strong emotion, shook his soul. "Sebastian, ask,-you have your choice, Ask for your freedom!"-At the word, "Him and thyself, my noble boy!” Murillo knew, e'en when the words As made his name the pride of Spain. GIVE ME THREE GRAINS OF CORN, MOTHER. MISS EDWARDS. Give me three grains of corn, mother, Only three grains of corn; It will keep the little life I have, Till the coming of the morn. I am dying of hunger and cold, mother, And half the agony of such a death It has gnawed like a wolf, at my heart, mother. All the livelong day, and the night beside, Gnawing for lack of food. I dreamed of bread in my sleep, mother, I awoke with an eager, famishing lip, How could I look to you, mother, How could I look to you, For bread to give to your starving boy, |