Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-11-10
THE MAN WITH
THE SCYTHE.

eyes.
''Jove!" he muttered, the fellow
does it in good form. After all, these
American peasants-working people,
mean-are superior to our English.
He left his easel, which had been
placed in position for study of a cen
tury-olu oak, and went to the fence,
raising two fingers as he did SO to the
young man, VINO was swinging toward
him with the long, regular strokes of
the mower.
But instead of dropping the scyths
ana coming forward with hand to
foreiock, as an English peasant would
do. this fellow merely nodded toward
the uncut swath ahead without break
ing the regularity of his stroke.
De Masters frowned a little, then
forgot his irritation in watching the
lines of the figure as it swung nearer.
"Jove!" he muttered again, IAN
American sovereign of the soil! I'll
put him in the foreground of the oak,
with his scythe. They shall typify
time and age and strength
His fingers had brought up a coin
from his pOcket-now, almost uncon-
sciously, the coin was permitted to fall
back, and larger one vas brought UP
in its place. 1t seemed more fitting
The smaller would have done for Eng
land
AS the fingers came from the pocket
with the coin conspcuously in sight
there was last long s-s-s-swish of the
scythe, and the young man was stand
ing by the fence wiping his face with
his handkerchief.
Now, what is it, sir?" he asked
pleasantly. Il did not want to stop
back there on account of losing sc
much time. I'm tasking myself to fin
;sh this field to-day, and it's going to
be sharp work. You see. there are
lot OF young trees in the field, and we
cont like to put in machine for feat
Of bruising them: so I'm doing it in
the olG-fashioned way. You're the
English artist, l take it, who is stop
ping at the house for a few days?"
Yes" quickly, land that is what
want you for, to pose with your scythe
Tor d study of the old oak"
though the mower was looking at him
he die not appear to see it.
1 shall not want you more than two
hours he said sugsestively, land
this"
I'm sorry" the young man inter
rupted quietly; "but the fine weather
isn't likely to last. and we must give
every moment to the hayng | should
like 10 Oblige you and e. You think Il
worth while 20 put the picture off until
. have leisure, I shall be glad to d.
what can You will excuse me now
Kate Reumer was ON the Veran1a
wher he returned, and the look of APP.
prOyal in her eyes az they rested upon
lin brought an unusual light into his
own.
on the other hand, there was some
thing in the thoughtful, unaffected
manner of the country girl that ap.
pealeG to De Masters as had none OF
the beautiful women he had met on his
travels.
you didn't try the oak, / see" she
said, as her gaze went toward the
canvas.
No. haven't yet; have new idea
for it He was silent for some min.
utes. then added, with a laugh: Your
misunderstanding people, mean
arc different from ours on the other
side. Over there | need only raise my
hand-with money in 1t, of course
and they will come to me at a run.
She looked at him inquiringly.
Il tried the same thing here" he
went on, but the man seemed too dull
OF too fond of work You see. it was
a man with a scythe. and wanted
him with the oak"
DID you offer him money!?
"Of course. could not expect him
to come otherwise
"Who was it," she asked. Potter
OF Smith, or Cibber?"
II don't know, only that ne was a
handsome young fellow. with collar
open and n very wide limmed straw
hat
The half-smile broke into a ripping
laugh. instantly checked.
Il beg your pardon" she said. "bu;
thai was Less-Lester Longstreet /
mean
Anything remarkable about him."
curiOusly.
"Why, no, don't know as there is
moi any more than about good many
OF our young peasants in this country
who are working their way up. But
Lester Is very fine young man He
was left an orphan at eight and has
made every bit of his way since then
He has worked for papa three summers
10 hell pay his college expenses -
College," incrudulously.
eyes. He graduated from Yale 10
June. and is now earning money to pay
for postgraduate course in medicine
and chemistry. Then he is going
through a regular medical college. and
aiterward will study year ia your