Sketches New and Old


google search for Sketches New and Old

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
370 371 372 373 374

Quick Jump
1 101 201 302 402

"A life on the ocean wave,  
And a home on the rolling deep!  
"
There was a good deal of honest snickering turned on this time, and  
considerable groaning, and one or two old deacons got up and went out.  
The showman grated his teeth, and cursed the piano man to himself; but  
the fellow sat there like a knot on a log, and seemed to think he was  
doing first-rate.  
"After things got quiet the showman thought he would make one more  
stagger at it, anyway, though his confidence was beginning to get mighty  
shaky. The supes started the panorama grinding along again, and he says:  
"'Ladies and gentlemen, this exquisite painting represents the raising of  
Lazarus from the dead by our Saviour. The subject has been handled with  
marvelous skill by the artist, and such touching sweetness and tenderness  
of expression has he thrown into it that I have known peculiarly  
sensitive persons to be even affected to tears by looking at it. Observe  
the half-confused, half-inquiring look upon the countenance of the  
awakened Lazarus. Observe, also, the attitude and expression of the  
Saviour, who takes him gently by the sleeve of his shroud with one hand,  
while He points with the other toward the distant city.'  
"Before anybody could get off an opinion in the case the innocent old ass  
at the piano struck up:  
"Come rise up, William Ri-i-ley,  
372  


Page
370 371 372 373 374

Quick Jump
1 101 201 302 402