The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-07-15

fresh air lunu, tney ueclueu tO return TO
the sunny bank, eat their luncheon, and,
after completing their sketching, start back
for town.
But, oh, horror There was their cloth.
ing on fire, vanishing in flames and smoke.
Brown, in one agonized instant took in
the situation. They had worn greasy
painting Clothes which were generator of
heat-and possibly Browns discarded cigar
cite had served as an adjunct to spontan-
eous combustion.
Fire! fire." shrieked Carroll up to his
neck in the water, shivering with cold and
excitement.
"Shut up" roared Brown, frantcally
throwing water on the flames 'Get out
and help quenCh this fire."
''O-oh, Brown! what shall we do?''
BY this time the burned clothes were re-
duced 10 a smouldering heap, nothing
being saved but two hats and two singed
paint boxes.
The victims Of the connagration sat on
the bank and looked into each others
faces. There they were, ten miles out in
the country, with a wardrobe reduced to a
hat and pair Of swimming trunks each.
"What about town." and Brown sandy
mustache dropped over woebegone mouth
1--WE would create a sensation this way,
observed Carroll, so impressed with the
funny reality Of the situation that he
nearly laughed himself into Mysteries
Meanwhile the suns rays were gettin.
in their blistering work upon the mems
bare backs. 1t was just at this uncomfort.
able juncture that Carroll was struck with
one Of his brilliant ideas. Ordering Brown
to dry himself, he proceeded deftiy to paint
upon the imgressionst's skin one of those
''nohby business suits displayed in cur
rent newspaper adye tsements.
True, it was rather a tight fit but the
texture was mastery.
Turn about is fair play, and Brown,
directing Carroll to stand for measurements
seized a mammoth bristle brush and pro-
ceeded to mix Vandyke brown and burnt
sienna on his friends broad back.
BE careful Brown that hurts" cried
the realist.
"No time for complaints. We came out
to paint" was the retort And Carroll
doubled and twisted in vain, while his
flesh tones disappeared under manipulation
of the paint brush.
The suit was nearing completion; but
when the coat and vest were finished and
the trousers reached down to the knees the
paint gave out. Carroll, not relishing the
idea of appearing in the city barefooted,
suggested high-topped boots.
That's an idea! get the texture of
leather first-rate;'' and once more Brown s
paint brush, dipped in ivory back, was
welded about the unhappy CAROLS low er
extremites
After the finishing touches to their
artistic costume the newly clad pair packed
their dilapidated paint boxes and started
for home.
After walking a mile or so Carroll peev-
ishly complained of his suit being too
warm.
"Only Imagination" declared Brown,
yet secretly wondering how long it would
be before they met the fate of their Gre
mated clothes.
After clearing another mile they met
farmer driving load OF grain into town.
Brown summoned up courage and asked
"Neighbor, give us a lift on your wagon
as far as town.
Guess you won't hurt the grain" re-
piled the farmer, as he eyed the bizarre
garments of his passengers and wondered
if all city chaps in talor-made clothes
climbed into wagons in that awk ward,
hidebound fashion.
"The latter subsidized in the wagon and
rested against the sacks of grain. As the
clothes began to dry, each secretly won
dered how long it would take the paint to
wear off.
''Be you painters" the farmer suddenly
asked.
eyes, sir, we are,' answered Brown,
tapping his paint box.
81 thought l smelt paint"
Here Carroll, in the last stages of physi-
cal torture, groaned. 1t would be cold
day in August before he taught realism to
Brown again.
Finally they reached the city, and the
farmer was glad to get rid Of his queer
looking companions.
But when the wagon stopped in front OF
Browns studio door and they attempted
to dismount, something seemed wrong.
In fact, both remained sitting stark still.
They were stuck fast to the grain sacks
"Poltce police!' called the now alarmed
farmer.
A portly policeman rushed forward with
drawn club, only to fall back and stare
with wonderment The Fourteenth Street
squad vowed to each other that, though
acquainted with the dime museums in
their precincts, they had never seen the
like of these two freaks.
The artists, not being able to eXtrcate
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