Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-08-26
THE MAN WITH
THE. SCYTHE.


thing like admiration in his lazy eyes
"Jove!" he muttered, the fellow does
it in good form. After all, these Ameri-
can peasants-working people, ! mean
are superior to our English. If that chap
were ON horseback now, in a hunting
costume, OF at a reception in a dress
suit. it would really be difficult to tell
his class. What figure he would make
ON canvas | believe III try it."
He left his easel. which had been
placed in position for study OF a cen
tury-old oak, and went to the fence, rails
ing two fingers as he did so to the young
man. who was swinging toward him with
the long. regular strokes of the mower.
But instead of dropping the scythe and
coming forward with hand to forelock,
as an English peasant would do, this fell
low merely nodded toward the uncut
swath ahead without breaking the regu-
larity of his stroke.
De Masters frowned a little, then for
cot his irritation in watching the lines
Of the figure as it swung nearer.
"Jove!" he muttered again IAN Amer
lean sovereign Of the soil! III put him in
the foreground Of the oak, with his
scythe. They shall typify time and age
and strength.
His fingers had brought up coin from
his pocket--now. almost unconsciously,
the coin was permitted to fall back. and
a larger one was brought up in its pla,1.
1t seemed more fitting. The smaller
would have done for England
As the fingers came from the pocket
with the coin conspicuou.ly in sight there
was Il last long s-s-s-swish of the scythe.
and the young man was standing by tho
fence wiping his face with his handker-
chief
"Now, what is it, sir?" he asked pleas
antly. u did not want to stop back
there on account Of losing so much time
I'm tasking myself to finish 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 don't like to put in
machine for fear Of bruising them; so
I'm doing it in the old-fashioned way
You're the English artist, ! take it, who
is stopping at the house for few days p
Yes" quickly, and that is what |
want you for, to pose with your scythe
III SIuuy OF ttle ora OAK.
The coin was raised temptingly, but
though the mower was looking straight
at him, he did not appear to see it.
There was no change in the expression of
his eyes, 10 added color to his face
De Masters looked perpleXed Over in
the old country a peasant would have
seen the first motion toward the pocket,
and his hand would have been in readi-
ness for whatever might be forthcoming.
Il shall not want you more than two
hours" he said, suggestively, land
I'm sorry the young man interrupted
quietly; but the fine weather isn't likely
to last, and we must give every moment
to the haying. | should like to oblige
yon, and if YOU think it worth while to
put the picture off until / have leisure,
| shall be glad to do what | can. You
will excuse me now
well, anyway, take this" began De
and will"
But the sharp s-s-s-swish s-s-s-swish
of the scythe was now moving back
across the field DE Masters balanced the
coin doubtfuly upon his fingers. think
ing to leave it on the fence. but thinking
also that the dull eyes might not see it
and that the coin would fall off and be
lost, finally let II slip back into his
pocket
But the man and his scythe had taken
hold of his fancy. and he moved the
easel to another part of the farm where
there was a big rock with brook twist
ing around it and some alders leaning
over
He would let the oak 90 for awhile.
There was no hurry. His invitation was
unlimited. Perhaps the mower would
have leisure after the hay was made, and
there was another reason why he was
willing TO stay on.
Kate Reumer was on the veranda when
nc returned, and the look of approval in
her eyes as they rested upon him brought
an unusual light into his own.
On the other band. there was some
thing in the thoughtful. unaffected man
ner of the country girl that appealed to
De Masters as had none of the beautiful
women he had met ON his travels. He
placed his easel and unfinished canvas
ON the veranda, and then dropped down
to one of the steps
No, You needn't look at the picture
yet he said. as her gaze went toward
the canvas; 1t is only crude outlines
like the limbs showing through fog. I
shall put in the details and finish it to.
morrow"
on didn't try the oak. then?"
NO. haven't yet; have a new idea
Tor IT. lie was silent fer some minutes.
then added. with laugh; Your peas,
working people | mcan-are diff
terent from ours ON the other side. Over
there need only to raise my hand.
with money in it. of course-and they
VIII come to me at run. They are al
WAYS ready To earn two or three honest
pennies where their regular work Yields
hut one"
She looked at him iuquinnglv.
Il tiled the same thing here he went
ON. hut the man seemed toe dull. or too
fond of work. ON see. it was n man
with a scythe. and | wanted him with
the oak" "''''