The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-02-16

these two extremes We're roars beside |
which the efforts Of the bull Of Bashnn
were as the bleating of lamb. And
these sounds represented his conception
Of my beautiful air.
Here was q case Of establishment
without u parallel About Williams l
should say nothing. But Macpherson
and Juan! l would have taken their
simplest word and considered it bind
ing as an oath. Two more honest men
never trod the earth. Yet they were
undoubtedly guilty OF trying to appro-
pirate a masterpiece that l had con-
ceived.
l fastened back to where the wedge
Of fame pierced the pervading gloom
q gloom that now rocked up from every
point and obscured even the beauty of
the sturs.
Juan and Metcalf and Williams were
scattered lazily about the camp. 1t
seemed impossible to do otherwise than
shun my two old friends. so. wrapping
myself In my blanket, I stretched out
, near the man We had picked up at the
Needles, and my back had not fully
touched the earth before the beautiful
air came to me again. AS its wonder
full charm gripped me l grew dizzy
with excitement The veins In my neck
sweIled at the memory Of being robbed
by the very men had trusted most.
| It was the gray Of the morning when
! @ coarse burlesque Of my masterpiece
| intrudcd itself on my consciousness.
| Macpherson was sitting up L.ating
| time with q corner of his blanket to a
kind Of soto voce reproduction Of the
absurd sounds he had made the night
! before MetcaIf was watching him. and
Williams was turning uneasily in his
sleep
At very palpable error I objected
and called to Macpherson that he was
wrong. but without paying the least
attention he kept at his noise. In
ccnscd. | took up the theme and sang
1t as knew it should be sunge Then
williams Mt this juncture joined In
with his stupid attempt to show &C
Quaintance with the air. And finally
Juan awoke and set the pace. musically
speaking for us all. The Mexican's
notes We're clear and well sustained
and gave evidence Of some training.
Indeed, If we had been content to fol-
low his leadership, it is barely possible
we should have reproduced something
like unison, or even harmony. but the
strong personality that is engendered
In men when they cease to be house
animals was apparent in our efforts to
sing-rather roar-each other down.
Metcalf groaned aloud. There was
no humor in that early morning sere-
made. 1t contained all the tragedy Of
an artistic inspiration entering COM
monplace souls.
At breakfast we glared at each other.
Williams toyed maliciously with his six
shooter. and Macpherson. the peace low
ing Macpherson, unlimbered himself
placing both knife and gun within easy
reach. The silence was ominous.
l was the first to speak. Addressing
Juan, asked him If the music did not
run like this, whistling.
Juan shook his head. but before lie
could suggest correction Williams
! growled out his idea Of how 1t should
go.
; The half quizzical smile on Macpher-
J sons face gave way to look Of dis
gust. This is how the tune goes, vii
liams." he broke in abruptly.
: There was no question Of the energy
displayed in Macphersons performance
but the grace left something to be de
[ sired
was on the verge Of explaining this
: to him when Metcalf said. That's the