Theodosia Burr--historic Portrait

Dming tlie senatorial torm of Aaron Burr - 1791 and 17Í17 - he was one day driving along a lonely country road in Ulster county.Tíew York, when his horso cast a shoo, and hc stopped at a black - süiith shop to havo it replaced. "Whilo waiting the completion of tho operation, hc happelied to (ihmce at the door.of the rude building, and saw there a vigorous and truthiul drawing of his vehicle and team done in charcoal, which must have been executed in a very few minutes. He inquired for the artist, and a half-growh boy dressed in coarse garments, stepped forwárd and said : "I did it, sir." Burr entered into conversation with the lad, and soon ascertained that, though wholly naednoated) ho was yet unusually bright and intelligent ; that he was born and rcared in the npighborhood, and had hired himself to the blacksmith for six months. AV riting a fow lincs on a slip of paper, Burr handcd it to him, and remarked : "My boy, yon are too smart a fcllow to stay here all your lite. If you ever want to change your employment and sec someit-'-rj -iFj.l._ „. - IJ. . a i ' your pocket, go to New York, and come straight U that address." His innumerable schmnes, and duties of political hfe soon drove the incident from the senator's mind, and he was Burprised one morning some months later, while sitting at breakfast at his residence at Kichmond Hill, when a servant entered and delivered him a small bundie which had besn brought by a boy who was waiting outside. Opening the package he found within a clnmsy made clean shirt. Thinking there must be a mistake, ho ordered the boy shown up, and in a moment therc ent!rod the blacksmith's apprentice, with she slip of paper given him as a guide and introcluction. Burr gave him a hearty welcome, took him into his famtly, direëted his education, procured him instruction in the primary principies of drawing and eoloring, and finally assistcd him to go to Europe, whcre ho spent uve ycars. A lien niisfortune and misdeeds had diiven the patrón a friendle, penniless exile across the se, the protege was exhibiting his picturus at the Louvre, and gaining compliinents and a gold raedal from Ñapolean. He did all he could to aid his benefactor when they mat in Paris bUt tholigh Vanderlyn had won famo, moncy was almost as scarce with him as with Burr. He came back to America, pninted the "Landine of Columbus," now in the rotunda of the Capítol at Washington; tlio portrait of Jackmn in the City Hall New York.jand several öther well known Works, and died not long since near tho spot where he recetad his firat oticcmragrment to study the art his achiovoments had adornod. Provious to his tour abroad Vanderlyn paintcd the portraits of Burr and his daiightor, -vehich have been made familiar to all through the lives of tho former, written by Matthcw L. Davis and James Parton. This portrait of Theodosia, next to the idolized original, Burr prized more than all else the world contained, It hung in his drawing room at Itichmond Hill, and whenerer Theodosia's birthflay carne round, aftcr hrr marriagn to Goy. Alston and removal to South Carolina, it was always brought out for the admiration and tOaMs of the assembled gicst. When he went to Europe hc carncd ït with him, and whether visiting the house of distinguished guests in fchglahd or lading away in Parisian gnrret, theswoet face looking out from the dumb canvas, was ever nigh to brighten and to Mess. He brought it back to New York, and it was at his bodside whon he died. From the cl.'.ath-chamber the portrait was transfetred to the keepiag bf Mis Theadoeia Prevost, daughtct1 of J. B. Prevost, Burrs step-sou. Tliere it remained for gome time, and was then caiTiod to South Am. rica by another mombor of the family. K turning from thence it found temporary lolgmeiit in the, household of Kev. Dr. Wm. L. BrookirtTidge, of Tleasant Hill, Missouri, whose wife was also the daughtet of John B. Prevost. A few wcoks since it passed into the possession of Mrs. Lucv Breckinridge of Alt-on, nois, and is now in the studio of Mr. J. R. Staart, ootner ot' Fiftb and Olive streets, St, Louis. The historie picture is on canvas, rather undor the ordinary size for half length, and still has the same wooden frame, painted black and varnislied, which it probably wort) seveuty years ago. lt shows evidence of age and travel, but the accurate drawing and careful coloring for whirh Vandeiïyn was notcd, are yet plainly perceptible, and the soit brown hair, liazcl eyos, olear out nose and lips, cheeks blushing witli the palcst tint of the rose, and exquisitply moulded neck and bust, ro-call in lifc-like rc;ility, the f ano and form of heroviir whose unknown KTMre tli'' ocean rolls, nd whoso story is ono of the saddest and the noblest recordod in American annalB. A Rood oíd Quakor ludy, after littening to an extravagant yarn of a shopkeeperas long oa her patimoe would illow, said to him : "Friond, what a pity it is a sin to lie; it Booms so necossary to thy happi111%S." Mftny livo pon the promises (licy taeki Tbcy nevcr cxpect to keep tboir word, bu i to be kopt by it.