Charity bears interest (posted by Priya Deelchand)

Dining one day with Baron James Rothschild,
Eugene Delacroix, the famous French artist,
confessed that, during some time past, he had
vainly sought for a head to serve as a model
for that of a beggar in a picture which he
was painting;

and that, as he gazed at his host’s features,
the idea suddenly occurred to him that the
very head he desired was before him.

Rothschild, being a great lover of art,
readily consented to sit as the beggar.

The next day, at the studio, Delacroix
placed a tunic around the baron’s shoulders,
put a stout staff in his hand, and made him
pose as if he were resting on the steps
of an ancient Roman temple.

In this attitude he was found by one of
the artist’s favorite pupils, in a brief
absence of the master from the room.

The youth naturally concluded that the
beggar had just been brought in, and with
a sympathetic look quietly slipped a piece
of money into his hand.

Rothschild thanked him simply, pocketed
the money, and the student passed out.
Rothschild then inquired of the master,
and found that the young man had talent,
but very slender means.

Soon after, the youth received a letter
stating that charity bears interest, and
that the accumulated interest on the amount
he had given to one he supposed to be a
beggar was represented by the sum of
a hundred thousand francs, which was awaiting
his claim at the Rothschild office.

- Author unknown-
Shared by Priya Deelchand