The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-06-11

Don't know, but he says RS impor-
tant.r
How does he Ioolk?s asked Dayidson-
sitting down.
Pretty seedy. Big. tall fellow, but
seems 70 have been H.
SHOW him IN
John Van Styver. gaunt, poorly clad,
with bloodshot eyes and tumbled hair,
a look of haggasd Indebtedness on his
worn face, his hand trembling from
weakness and anxiety, was not pre-
possessing figure. Nor did Davidson
distinguish between the raVages Of ~
phoid fever on his once splendid ply
sique, or those which long habits Of IN
ebrietY would have produced.
what do you want, my man?" he
asked, scanning the wan appearance Of
the figure before him with growing dis
favor.
To work my passage from New York
to San Francisco On your road" said
Van styver.
Ever been connected with a rail-
road" asked Davidson.
Never
The road don't take tramps. It has
all the men II needs. and only employs
honest. sober fellows said Davidson,
turning and taking up a letter to end
the interview.
John staggered a little, and sat down
on a stool
The vision of a wan little face tossing
on pillow, of dark euris falling around
two sweet brown eyes. of little voice
calling necessarily for one who could
not come, while the shadow of death
was stealing steadily on, brought the
dew our On his forehead.
Hello! This one looks all right, sir.
This ones good, said Dick, paasing
before eonsignihg one Of the condemned
sketches to the flame. why, it's fine
Lets SEE said Davidson, interest
eddy, leaning over to look at It. Dick
spread it out en- the desk before him,
with one other his youthful inexperi-
enee thought good.
sBoshi" was Davidson's contemptu-
Gus criticism. why. its old as the hills.
[ want a design which will show the
line stretching from the dawning east
TO the setting sun in the west, without
all this rubbish, with the light so ar
ranged as to produce a novel and strik-
ing effect, chariot driven by Progress,
Development and Wealth, and"
John Van Styver's eye had been me-
chemically arrested by the sight of the
drawings, and the explanation given by
Davidson, not 50 much to Dick as to
ease eff some of his disappointed irrita-
ton at the apparent impossibility to OBJ
tain in all that big town anyone capable
Of Selling and executing his idea.
The drawing was the best of those
submitted Davidson turned it from
side to side, to see If anything could be
done with 1t.
During the pause which ensued John
Van Styyer. taking a blank sheet from
his pocket and pencil. dashed off a
design. weird and bold and beautiful
A vast fair country. over a continent,
the stars and moon glimmering in the
west, and respondent burst of the ris-
ing sun in the dawning east: a chariot
driven by three figures, magnificent in
lightness and grace of pose, horses
whose mad and superb rush was the en-
bodiment of his own wild desire to reach
that land where the waves of the great
Pacific laved the seashore, stood out in
splendid lines. and great rush of pros
perfty was pictured, as following the
straight line Of the great road as it ran
from the one ocean brink to the other.
Slipping the drawing over Davidson's
shoulder, John placed it silently before
him on the desk.
"Phew!" exclaimed Dick, with a vio-
lent start, looking on in establishment
at Van Styver.
Davidson said rothing, but looked
long and hard at the splendid drawing
before him. Getting up, he held out his
hand to John.
II don't know your name, but you are
a great artist" he said, with energy,
"And what's more, you are the only one
who could come near interpreting my
idea, and you have executed it splendid
ly, far finer than had thought it out
myself. I'm very much indebted to you.
I'll be glad to give you pass to San
Francisco, and I'll buy your sketch for
$500.
mist came before Johns eyes, and
without one word he wrung the hand
hard which extended him a check and
went out.
"Be hopeful. Leave on train in hours
time, bringing money" he telegraphed.
Rushing to his forlorn room, John be-
gan to gather his few belongings and
his loved photographs to catch the
train A telegraph messenger knocked
at his door. With trembling terror he
tore open the envelope
Our darling better. Come at once,
Good news Of mine.
m. VAN SILVER"
John dashed down the stairs, jumped
in a cab and caught the train just as it
pulled out.-N. O. Times-Democrat.
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