Rubbed Out.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1813, 18 July 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

Rubbed Out.

Daring the Kusso-Turkish war, while Mr. Irving Montagu was iv Turkey as war artist of the Illustrated London News, he was one day attracted by the strikingly characteristic features of one of bis guards. Having his note-book in his hand he jotted down a sketch of the face. Before it was finished the man looked up and saw what was going on. At once such a look of horror and revenge passed over his countenance that Mr. Montagu was, as he tells us, thrilled by it. The fellow's mannarbecame rapidly sullen and morose; nay, more, utterly wretched, If he supposed me possessed of the evil eye, surely he was possessed of two of the most malignant oibs which ever protruded from human cranium. Things went on in this mysterious way till I asked my comrade if he could throw any light upon the matter ; he explained that in that superstitious country, to have one's features reproduced in any way was a sign of impending death; The whole thing was explained in a moment. Death, of whom I was the agenfc, had to all intents and purposes set his seal on my unfortunate follower ; a condition ot' affairs truly terrible to contemplate. Melancholy bad marked him for her own. However, there was no help for it ; the thing was done, though his settled gloom affeoted us all not a little, and no explanation seemed likely to break the spell which hung over him. The man's moroseness was becoming almost insufferable, when Mr. Montagu war. snddenly inspired with a bright idea. He called the fellow and explained to him that he had a magic antidote to the lines of the fateful pencil. With it the man himself could break the fatal spell. The effect was marvellous ; the man's face was instantly lighted up with inexpressible delight. At' first he took bold of the India rubber with the tips of his fingers in tine tendere'St possible manner, but on realising ite miraculous qualities he rubbed literally for dear life. Born ard bred in. a remote part of Anatolia, Sulieman had never evec heard of India rubber. The picture Was rnbbed out. He smiled again, anchio-did we.