The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-08-19

are democratic. n
woven a chaplet OF chap
arral for the brow of
I.onny Brisooe- Art, whose divine eX-
preston flows impartialy from the
nngertips OF a cowboy or dilettante
Emperor, had chosen for a medium the
Boy Artist OF the San Saba The out
come. seven feet by twelve OF be-
smeared canvas. stood. gilt-framed, in
the lobby OF the capitol
The legislature was IN session; the
capital city OF that great Western
State was enjoying the season Of ac-
tivity and profit that the congregation
OF the solons bestowed. The boarding
houses were eorrauing the easy dollars
OF the gamesome lawmakers, The
greatest State IN the West, an empire
in AREA and resource. had arisen and
repudiated the old libel OF barbarism.
lawbrenking. and blOodshed. Order
reigned within her borders. Life ana
property were as safe there, cir. as
anywhere among the corrupt cities OF
the effete East Pillow shams,
churches. strawberry feasts. and ha
beas corpus nOurished. with impunity
might the tenderfoOt ventilate his
.'stovepipe" or his theories of culture.
The arts and sciences received nurture
and subsidy And therefore, It be-
hooved the legislature OF this great
State TO make appropriation for the
purchase of Lonny BTlscoe's immortal
painting.
Rarely has the San Saba country
contributed 70 the spread Of the fine
4 i'm n
dler graCes. in the throw of the lariat,
the manipulation of the esteemed .s5,
the intrepiditv Of the oue-card draw,
and the nocturnal stimulation OF
towns from undue lethargy: but. hith-
erto, SC had not been famed as
stronghold Of estheucs. Lonny Bris-
GOES brush had removed that disable
ity Here. among the limestone rocks.
the succulent cactus and the drought
parched grass Of that arid valley, had
been born the Boy Artist. Why he
came 70 WOO art Is beyond postull-
ton. Beyond doubt. some spore Of the
amatus must have sprung up within
him IN spite OF the desert soil OF San
Saba. The trlcllsy spirit OF creation
must have melted him TO attempted
expression and then have sat hilarious
among the white-hot sands OF the val
ley. watching its mischievous work
For Lonnys picture, viewed as thing
OF art, was something TO have driven
away dull care from the bOsoms OF the
critics.
The paintlug-one might almost say
panorama-was designed 90 portray "a
typical Western scene. interest cui-
mlnatIng iu a central animal figure.
that of a stampcding steer, Iie-siz".
widowed. fiery. breaking away IN
mad rush from the herd that. close
ridden by a typical cowpuncher. occu'
pied a position somewhat ia the right
background Of the picture The land
scapa presented fitting and faithful
accessories. Chaparral, mesquite. and
pear were distributed IN just proper
tions. A Spanish dagger plant, with
its vaxen blossoms in a creamy aggre-
cation as large as a water bucket
contributed floral beauty and variety.
The distance was uudulating prairie
hlsectea by stretches of the intormit-
tent Etream peculiar 10 the region
lined with the rich creen OF live oak
and zater elms. A richly notified rat
tIasnake lay coned beneath pale
green clump of prickly pear in the
foreground A third Of the canvas was
ultramariue and lake wLite-the typi-
cal Western sky and the flying clouds.
rainleSs and featherv,
Between TWO uIastcrcd pillars IN the
commodious hallway rear the door OF
the chamber OF representatives stood
the painting. Citizens and lawmakers
uaszed there by two and groups and
sometimes crowds 10 gaze upon Il,
NIanv-perhaps a majority of ~ m
had lived the prairie life and recalled
t.siIv the familiar scene. Old cattle
men stood. reminiscent and candidlv
rlaased. chatting with brothers Of
former camps and trails OF the days 10
brought back 20 mind. Art critics
were few in the town. and there was
heard none Of that iargon IL color
perspective and feeling such as the
East loves TO use as a curb and a
rod 20 the pretensious of the artist.
Twas ct great picture most of them
agreed. admiring the gilt fTame-large-
az than amy they had ever seen.
Senator Kinney was the pictures
champion and sponsor. Il was he who
So often stepped forward and assert
90. with the voice Of br0nco-buster.
that il would be a lasting blot, sir.
uuon the name of this great State If Ii
should decline 10 recognize In "a proper
manner the genius that had so bril-
uautly transferred 10 impcrishable
canvas IA scene so typical Of the great
source OF our states wealth and pros
pe~Ny. land and-Cr-Iive stock.
Senator Kinney represented a section
or the state in The extreme Wesr--40J
miles from the san Sar- counlTy--but
the true lover Of ART IS not limited by
% etes and bounds. Nor was Senator
Muuens. representing the San Saba
country, WkeWaTm in mis- belief that
The State should purchase the painting
OF his constituent lie was advised
that the San Saba country was unani-
nous IN IFS admira ton Of the Ereat
painting by enc of iys own denizens.
Hundreds Of couuoiSseUTs had srraddlcd
their hrOucOs and ridden miles 90 view
il before its removal 90 the capital.
Senator Mulleus desired reelection,
ard he knew the Importance of the san
saba vote lie also knew that with
the help Of Senator Kinuey-who was
a power Iu the LeglsIature-th thing
could be put through Now. Senator
Kinney had an irrigation bin that he
wanted passed for the benefit of his
own section. and he knew Senator Null
lens could render him valuable aid and
10. a-v-rY4a rfrrl tho San sy4 fs7 country a