Author: Mark Twain
? Translator: Zhang Yousong
1892 During March, I visited Mendogni on the Riviera. In this quiet place, you can
Enjoy all the benefits that Monte Carlo and Nice (2), thousands of miles away, can enjoy with everyone. That is to say,
There are bright sunshine, fresh air and shining blue sea, but there is no noise and interference that spoil the fun.
Busy, fancy clothes and flashy show-off. Mendogni is a quiet, simple, leisurely place, and does not pay attention to ostentation and extravagance.
Party; Rich people and flashy people don't go there. I mean, generally speaking, rich people don't go there.
Occasionally, rich people come, and I soon got to know one of them. I'll just call him Smith
More or less means keeping a secret for him. One day, in an English hotel, we had a second breakfast.
Suddenly, he shouted:
The Riviera is located in the southeast of France and the northwest of Italy, and it is a rest and sightseeing area along the Mediterranean coast. Mendo
Nie is one of the tourist attractions there.
(2) Monte Carlo is a famous casino in Monaco on the Mediterranean coast in southeastern France; Nice is the Riviera
Another resort.
"hurry up! Pay attention to the man who walks out at the door. Look at him carefully. "
"Why?"
"Do you know who he is?"
"yes. He had lived here for several days before you came. I heard that he is a very extensive silk merchant in Lyon.
The boss of the silk and satin factory is old, so he can quit now. I think he is just lonely because he always looks so depressed.
Look, listless, never talking to anyone. His name is Theophile Ma Genan. "
I think Smith will go on now and put what he said to this Mr. Ma Genan into practice.
Tell you why it's interesting. But he didn't say anything, but turned to meditation. After a few minutes,
Obviously, I and everything else have been completely forgotten. Sometimes he reaches out to scratch his soft white hair,
Help him clear his mind and make his breakfast cold. Then he said:
"Oh, I forgot. I don't remember anything. "
"I don't remember anything?"
"I'm talking about a wonderful little story written by Andersen. But I forgot. Part of this story is big.
The reason is this: there is a child with a bird in his cage. He likes it very much, but he doesn't know what to do.
The heart is calling it. The bird sang a song, but no one listened and no one paid attention; Later, this little trick was also
Hungry and thirsty, its song became bleak and weak, and finally stopped-the bird died.
When the child came to see it, he was heartbroken and regretted it. He had to sigh with sad tears.
Calling his friends, everyone held a grand funeral for the bird with deep sorrow, but
These little guys don't know that it's not just children who starve poets to death and then spend a lot of money on their funerals.
Set up a monument. If the money is spent before they die, it will be enough to feed them and make them comfortable.
A few days. So ... "
But then our conversation was interrupted. At about ten o'clock that night, I met Smith again. male
Invited me upstairs to smoke and drink hot scotch with him in his reception room. That room is very comfortable.
Italy, with comfortable chairs, flashing lights and friendly flames in the fireplace,
Burning hard olive wood. Coupled with the murmur of the waves outside, everything has reached a happy level.
Realm. After we drank the second glass of whisky and talked a lot of light and pleasant gossip, Smith said:
"Now we've had enough fun-I just took this opportunity to tell a strange story while you were listening to me.
This matter is a secret that has been kept for many years-this secret is only known to me and three other people; Now I'm going to open it
Wearing this peep show. Are you in a good mood now? "
"Very well. Go ahead. "
The following is the story he told me:
"Many years ago, I was a young painter-really a very young painter-and I was in France.
Wandering around the countryside and sketching everywhere, I soon got together with two lovely French youths, and they joined me.
The same thing. Our happiness is like that poverty, or that poverty.
Just like happiness-say whatever you like. Claude Fowler and Carl Boland.
Rier-these are the names of two boys; What lovely two boys, so cute, always happy.
Passion is just a joke on poverty. Regardless of wind, frost, rain and snow, life is always strange and full of vitality.
"Later, we were in a village in Brittany, and we were completely desperate. It happened that one of them was with us.
The poor painter took us in, which really saved our lives-Fran? ois Miller.
①——"
Fran? ois Miller (18 14- 1875), a famous French painter, is good at depicting rural life.
"Why! Is it the great Fran? ois Miller? "
"Great? At that time, he was not necessarily greater than us. Even in his own village.
He is not famous. He is so poor that he has nothing to give us except carrots.
Eat, even the radish sometimes breathes. The four of us became loyal and loving friends.
It's just inseparable. We worked hard to draw and draw together, piling up works, not bad.
It's hard to sell one. We all had a good time; However, it is really pitiful! we
Sometimes living is a sin!
"So we spent more than two years. Finally one day, Claude said:
"'Guys, we're at the end of our tether. You got it? -completely at the end of their tether.
Nobody gives up (2)- it's just because everyone is united and gives us a hard time. I ran all over the village,
The result is what I said. They don't give us credit at all, and they insist that we pay it off first.
Old accounts are not allowed. "
(2) The original "strike" means "strike" or "strike", which means that no one will accept credit.
"This really makes us depressed. Everyone's face is white and messy. Now we know.
Tao's situation is really terrible. Everyone was silent for a long time. Finally Miller said with a sigh:
I can't think of any idea-I can't do anything. Guys, do something. "
"There is no answer, unless sad silence can also be called the answer. Carl stood up and walked back and forth nervously.
Go for a while, and then said:
"'What a pity! Look at these paintings: piles and piles, all good paintings, comparable to any one in Europe.
A man's job-whoever he is. Yes, and many strangers who wander around say so-anyway.
It always means such a thing. "
""But I just don't believe it, "Miller said."
"'that doesn't matter, anyway, that's what they said; It's true. Look at your painting Evening Prayer.
All right! Someone will say to me ... "
Evening Prayer is one of Miller's famous paintings.
"'Hum, Carl-my evening prayers! Someone offered five francs for it. "
"'When?' "
"'Who paid the price?' "
"'Where is he?' "
"'Why don't you promise him?' "
"'Come on, don't talk together like this. I thought he would have extra money-I think it's already a lot.
I am sure-seeing his air will be extra-so I will bargain for eight francs. "
"'Well-then what happened?' "
"'He said he would come to me again.' "
"'that's terrible! Ah, francoise Wa-'"
"'Oh, I know-I know! I shouldn't have done that. I'm such a fool. Guys, I did it on purpose.
Good, you will admit it, I ... "
"'Oh, of course, we also know that God bless you, a kind person; But next time you
Stop being so stupid. "
"'me? "I hope someone can bring us a Chinese cabbage-you will understand!" "
"'Chinese cabbage! Oh, don't mention it. It makes my mouth water. Say something else that's not called that.
Something that makes people uncomfortable. "
"'Guys,' Carl said,' are these paintings worthless? Tell me. "
"'Who says it's worthless!' "
"'Isn't it valuable? Go ahead. "
"'yes.' "
"'the value is really big, very high, if you can give them a famous author, then
I believe I can get a good price. Is that what happened? "
"'of course. No one will doubt your statement. "
"'But-I'm not kidding-am I right?' "
"Well, that's good-we're not kidding. But so what? then
How's it going? What does this have to do with us? "
"'I want to do this, guys-we will put the name of a famous painter on these paintings.
Word! "
"Active conversation stopped. Everyone turned to look at Carl suspiciously. What the hell is he selling in the gourd?
What about the medicine? Where can I borrow a famous name? Who should I borrow it from "
Carl sat down and said:
"'Now I want to propose a serious method. I think if we don't want to go to the homeless shelter,
This is the only way, and I believe this is a very sure way. My point of view is based on the human calendar.
Various facts in history have long been recognized as the basis. I believe my plan will definitely make me
We are all rich. "
"'get rich! "You are crazy." "
"'No, I'm not crazy.' "
"'Hum, also said no! -You're obviously crazy. "How do you call it getting rich?" "
"'One hundred thousand francs each.' "
"'He's really crazy, I knew it long ago.' "
"'Yes, he is a mental derangement. Carl, poverty is hard, so ... "
"'Carl, you should take a pill and go to bed at once.' "
"'Tie him up with a bandage first-tie his head, and then ...'"
"'No, just tie his heel; In recent weeks, his brain has been falling at his feet, thinking.
Absenteeism-I've seen it. "
"'Shut up!' Miller pretended to be serious and said, "Let the child finish." . that
Okay, okay.-Carl, tell me your plan. What's the smart plan? "
"Well, then, let me make an opening remark. Please pay attention to a fact in human history: that is
There are many artists whose talents are not appreciated until they starve to death. This kind of thing happens all the time.
Too many times, I dare to create a rule based on it. This law is: every nameless,
A neglected artist will be appreciated forever after his death. He must wait until after his death, when his
Paintings are a hundred times more expensive. My plan is this: we must draw lots-one of several people will die.
Let's go. "
"His words were careless and completely unexpected, and we almost forgot to jump up. Then,
Everyone cried again, and put forward a way-a cure-to help Carl cure his brain; But he has resistance.
Carefully waiting for everyone to calm down this poor happiness, and then continue to say his plan:
"'yes, we have to die anyway, in order to save the rest of the people-and save himself. we
You can draw lots. One of them will become famous and all of us will become rich. Listen carefully, hey-
Listen carefully; Don't interrupt-I dare say I'm not talking nonsense. My idea is this:
In the next three months, people who choose to die will paint hard and try to accumulate drawings-not straight lines.
Type of painting, no! Just sketch and do some exercises. Just draw it if you haven't finished.
Tick off a few exercises and draw a few times on each one with a colored pen-of course it doesn't make sense, anyway.
He painted it with the author's name engraved on it; Draw fifty pictures for it every day, and let it have some features on each picture.
Or style, it is easy to see that this is his work ... as we all know, these things are the most profitable. exist
After the death of this great painter, people will pay incredible prices for museums all over the world.
Search these masterpieces; We will prepare many such works-many! In the meantime, we
The rest of us will be busy preaching to dying painters, and next time we will be in Paris and those businessmen.
Kung fu-you know, this is to prepare for the future; When everything is arranged,
In the heat of the day, we suddenly announced the death of the painter to them and held a lively funeral.
Do you understand this idea? "
"'not a big understand; "At least not very ..." "
"'don't quite understand? Don't you get it? That man doesn't really want to die; All he has to do is change his name and surname and sell it.
Just disappeared; Let's find a dummy to bury it. Let's pretend to cry and let people all over the world cry with us.
I ... "
"But you didn't let him finish. Everyone broke into cheers and even claimed to be wonderful; big
Everyone jumped up and jumped around the room, hugging each other and expressing gratitude and happiness with joy. I
The children talked about this great plan for hours and they hardly felt hungry. Finally, everything
When the detailed methods were arranged satisfactorily, we drew lots and finally chose Miller-selected him.
Death, as we say. So we all put those little things that we can't bear to take out at the last minute.
As souvenirs, decorations, etc. Together, only one person can be helpless.
When, just willing to take it as a bet, in an attempt to make a fortune. We pawned them and got barely enough money.
Enough for us to scrimp and save for a farewell dinner and breakfast, leaving only a few francs to come in and return the meal.
Le bought radishes and so on, enough for him to eat for a few days.
"The second day early in the morning, the three of us just finished breakfast, and of course we set off on two legs.
Everyone took more than a dozen small paintings by Miller and planned to sell them. Carl is on his way to Paris. He's going there.
My son began his next effort to prepare for Miller's fame and great days in the future.
Get ready. Claude and I decided to go our separate ways and travel around France. "
"After what happened between us is very smooth, very happy, really surprised you. I walked for two days,
Just started to get up. I began to draw a villa on the outskirts of a big city-because I saw the villa.
The host is standing on the balcony upstairs. So he came down to see my painting, and I hope he can come. I draw quickly,
Deliberately interest him. He can't help saying a compliment once in a while, and then it gets better and better.
He just said I was a great painter! "
I put my brush aside, reached into my purse, took out a piece of Miller's work, and pointed to the signature in the corner, which was very strange.
It means:
"'I think of course you know this? Hi, he is my teacher! So you should know this line.
Yes! "
This gentleman seems to have committed some crime. He looked embarrassed and said nothing. I'm sorry to say:
""You don't mean that you can't even recognize Fran? ois Miller's signature! ""
"Of course he didn't recognize this signature; But in any case, he was in such an awkward position that he was incredibly
He was very grateful for letting me leave so easily. He said:
"'How can you not recognize it! Hey, it's really Miller's, not bad at all! I don't know what I was thinking just now
what did you say ? Of course I recognize it now. "
"Then he will buy this painting; But I said, although I am not very rich, I am not that poor.
One step. But then I made him buy it for 800 francs. "
"eight hundred francs!"
"Yes. Miller will replace it with pork chops. Yes, I got something from Zhang Xiao.
It's 800 francs now. If I can buy it back at 80,000 francs, I really like it. But this period
It's long gone I drew a beautiful picture for that gentleman's house and wanted to sell it to him for ten francs.
But because I am a student of such a great painter, it is unreasonable to sell at such a low price, so I sold this painting.
Gave him a hundred francs. I immediately remitted 800 francs to Miller from that city and set off for other places the next day. "
But I don't have to walk anymore.-No. I ride horses. I have been riding a horse ever since. Every time I
I only sell one painting, and I never intend to sell two. I always say to buyers:
"'It was foolish of me to sell Miller's paintings, because I'm afraid the painter won't live for three years.
It's been a month. After his death, you can't buy his paintings at any price. "
"I spread the news as much as possible, prepare in advance, and let everyone pay attention.
Come to that big event. "
"Our plan to sell paintings is due to me-it was my idea. We discussed it that night.
I put forward this idea in our publicity campaign, and all three people agreed to give it a try first.
Don't give up this idea easily and try another way. As a result, all three of us succeeded. I was just leaving.
Two days' journey, Claude also walked for two days-neither of us wanted Miller to be famous and be too close to home, for fear.
Show the clues-but Carl only walked for half a day, this elf ghost. Bad bastard with no conscience! Since then, he has been to various places.
Travel style is like a duke.
"We always get in touch with local newspaper reporters all over the country and publish news in newspapers; But what we have
The news released is not to announce the discovery of a new painter, but to pretend that everyone knows Francois M.
Musical tone; We didn't mention praising him at all, but simply reported the recent situation of this' famous'.
News-sometimes he says he's getting better, sometimes he says he's hopeless, but it always means there are more men than women.
Taste. We always draw this kind of news and send it to people who have bought it. "
"Carl arrived in Paris soon. He just worked on style. He makes friends with the newsletters of various newspapers.
, reported Miller's situation to Britain and Europe as a whole, even the United States and the world, and reported the past everywhere.
Yes "
"Six weeks later, the three of us met in Paris and decided to stop propaganda and write to Miller.
Here comes the painting. By this time, he has been a sensation and everything is fully mature, so we think we should seize this opportunity.
Do it at once, lest you miss the opportunity. So we wrote to Miller and told him to stay in bed and get hungry quickly.
A little, because we want him to' die' in ten days, if in time. "
"We calculated, the result is very good, three people a * * * sold eighty-five pictures and exercises, got six.
Nineteen thousand francs. The last painting was sold by Carl, and the price was the highest. He sold Evening Prayer for two thousand pounds.
Two hundred francs. We praised him so fiercely-I didn't expect that one day, all France would rob him.
In order to keep this painting for himself, an unknown person will snap it up with 550 thousand francs in cash.
Yes "
"That night we prepared champagne and held a dinner to celebrate the end of the victory. The next day Claude and
I packed my bags and went back to meet Miller's last few days, while refusing those idle people who were snooping around.
At the same time, a report on the illness is issued every day, sent to Paris and Jeancard, published in newspapers on several continents, and the news is reported to.
People all over the world care. Finally, the bad news was announced, and Carl came back in time to help arrange the final funeral.
"You must remember that the funeral was an unprecedented event, which caused a sensation all over the world, the upper class of the old and new worlds.
Everyone came to attend, and everyone expressed their condolences. The four of us-still inseparable-carried the coffin.
Material, don't let others help. We did the right thing because there was only one wax figure in the coffin.
Man, if you let others carry it, the weight will become a problem, and it is inevitable to show the cloven foot. Yes, we had a blind date.
Love together * * * Four old friends in trouble carry coffins ... "
(1) at that time, the new world refers to America and the old world refers to Europe and Asia.
"Which four people?"
"The four of us-Miller also helped to carry his own coffin. Needless to say, it's plastic surgery. Make up/make up/make up/make up/make up/configure/make up/make up (a bed)
Become a relative-a distant relative. "
"Wonderful!"
"I'm telling the truth, that's not the same. Do you remember how the price of his paintings went up?
Money? We simply don't know what to do with it Now there is another person in Paris who has a collection of 70 Miller paintings.
He gave us 2 million francs to buy it. As for the car that Miller drove out during the six weeks of our trip.
A lot of sketches and exercises, ha, you will be surprised to hear the price we are selling now-and
That's only when we are willing to sell! "
"This is really a strange story, it's so strange!"
"Yes-you can say that."
"What happened to Miller?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"yes.
"Do you remember the man I noticed in the restaurant today? That's Francois Miller. "
"'Oh, my God, so-'"
"So! Yes, finally, this time they didn't starve a genius to death and then pocketed his due reward.
Go into other people's pockets. The singing bird didn't sing in vain for a while, no one listened, only died.
After a meaningless grand funeral. We are waiting for this fate. "
Mark Twain's famous short story "Is he still alive" shows his unique writing technique-black humor, which combines humor and irony organically and skillfully, allowing readers to explore its profound practical significance from the dramatic humorous plot.