Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-10-07
THE MAN WITH
THE SCYTHE.

"Jove!" he muttered, the fellow
does IL In good form. After all, these
American notwithstanding people, |
mean-are superior to our English.
He left his easel, which had been
placed in position for study of cen
tury-ola oak, and went to the fence,
raising 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 seythe
ano coming forward with hand to
foreioek, as an English peasant would
co. 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 1t swung nearer.
@Joven he muttered again. an
American 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 uncon-
sciously, the coin was permitted to fall
back, and a larger one was brought ur
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 conspicuously 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 so
much time. I'm tasking myself to fin
fish this field to-day, and it's going to
be sharp work. You see, there are a
lot OF young trees in the field, and we
oonI like to put in a machine for fear
of bruising them; so Pm doing it in
the old-fashioned way. You're the
English artist. take it, who is stop
ping at the house for a few days?"
Yes" quickly, "and that is what
want you for to pose with your scythe
for study of the old oak"
The coin was raised temptingly. but
though the mower was looking at him.
he dc not appear to see it.
/ shall not want you more than two
hours" he said suggestiyely, and
this"
I'm sorry" the young man inter
iupted quietly; but the fine weather
isn't likely to last. and we must give
every moment to the haying l should
like TO obllge you. and il you think 1t
worth while to put the picture off until
have leisure. | shall be glad to do
what l can. You will excuse me now.
Kate Reumer. was on the yeran la
When he returned, and the look of APP
prevail in her eyes as 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 APP
pealeG 20 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," Re was silent fer some min
utes, then added, with a laugh: Your
peasants-working people, mean
arc different from ours on the other
side. Over there | need only raise my
hand-with money in it. of course
and they will come to me at a run
She looked at him inquiringly.
81 tried the same thing here" he
went on, "but the man seemed too dull,
on too fond of work. You see. it was
8 man with a scythe, end | wanted
him with the oak
did you offer him money!"
"Of course. I could not expect him
to come otherwise.
who was it?' she asked. Potter,
OF Smith, or Cibber?"
Il don't know. only that he was a
handsome young fellow, with collar
open and very wi3e-bsimmed straw
hat.
The half-smile broke into ripping
laugh instantly checked.
Il beg your pardon" she said. "bu
that was Less-Lester Longstreet L
mean"
ANY thing remarkable about him?"
curiously
"Why, no, | don't know as there is,
not any more than about a 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
TO help pay his college expenses"
"Ccllege?" incrudulously
Eyes. He graduated from Yale In
June, and is now earning money to pay
for a postgraduate course in medicine
and chemistry. Then he is going
through a regular medical college, and
atterward will study year in your
F. q4 -.