The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

This did not seem to interest the Mayor
either.
And maybe you know-I thought, per.
haps," ne snatched at this bright new
idea that had come to him just in the
nick of time, that i might help you by
my cartoons In the Telegraph: that is
might keep them from being as bad al
they might"
but that wouldn't be dealing fairly
with your new employers, Neil" the
Mayor said.
Kittrell was making more and more a
mess Of this whole miserable business
and he was basely glad when they reach
ed the corner.
"Well, good-by, my boy" said the
Mayor, as they parted. Remember me
to the little woman"
Kittrell watched him as ne went on
down the avenue. swinging along in his
free way. the broad felt hat he wore rid
ing above all the other hats in the throne
that filled the sidewalk; and Kittrell
sighed in deep depression.
When he turned In his cartoon, Ben
son scanned ii a moment, cooked his
head this side and that. pulled his brier
pipe. and finally said:
I'm afraid this is hardly up to you.
This figure of Clayton, here-it hisn't
got the stun in it. You want to show
him as he is. We want the people to
know what a four-hushing, hypnotical.
demagogical blatherskite he is-with all
his rot about the people and their damn
ed rights"
Benson was all unconscious of the in
consistency Of having concern for peo-
pie he so despised, and KittreIl did not
observe II, either. He was on the point
OF defending Clayton, but he restrain
ed himself and listened TO Benson's sug-
gestions. He remained at the Office for
two hours. trying to change the cartoon
TO Benson's satisfaction, with growing
hatred Of the work and a disgust with
himself that now and then almost dorve
him TO mad destruction. He felt like
splashing the piece with India ink. or
ripping it with his knife. But he worked
on. and submitted II again. He had
failed. of course; failed to express in 1t
that hatred of class which Benson
unconsciously disguised as a hatred or
Clayton, a hatred which Kittrell could
not express because he did not feel IT.:
and he failed because art deserts her
devotees when they are false TO truth.
well. it'll have to do" said Benson
as he looked ii over; but let's have
little more to the next one. Damn 1t!
I wish / could draw. I'd cartoon the
crook
In default Of which ability. Benson set
himself to write one of those savage
editorials in which he poured out on
Clayton that venom of which he seemed
to have such an inexhaustible supply.
But on one point Benson was right:
Kittrell was not up to himself. AS
the campaign opened, as the city was
swept with the excitement Of il, with
meeting at MONDAY and a night, Of
flying about in automobiles,
walls covered with pictures or candi-
dates. hand-bills scattered in the streets
to swir, in the wild March winds. and
men quarreling over whether Clayton or
Ellsworth should be mayor. Kittrell had
to draw a political cartoon each day;
and as he struggled with his work, less
and less the old JOY came to cheer and
spur him on. To read the ridlcule, the
abuse, which the Telegraph heaped on
layton, the distortion OF facts concern
ing his candidature. the unfair reports
Of his meetings, sickened him, and more
than all, he was filled with disgust as he
tried to match in caricature these libels
Of the man he so loved and honored. 1t
was bad enough TO have to fiatter Clay
tons opponent. to picture him a. a
noble. disinterested character. ready to
sacrifice himself for the public veal.
Into his pictures OF this man. attired in
he long black coat of conventional
with the SNUG face OF
pharisaism. he could get nothing but
can't and hypocrisy: but In his carica
lures Of Clayton there was that which
panied him worse-disloyaity, untruth,
and now and then, to the discerning few
who knew the tragedy OF kittrells soul.
there was pity. And thus his work
declined in value; lacking all sincerity.
all faith in itself or its purpose, II be-
anne false, uncertain, full OF Earring
notes. and. in short, never once rang
rue As for Edith, she never discussed
lis worw now: she spoke of the cam
,aign little, and yet he knew she was
deeply concerned, and she grew hot with
resentment at the methods of the Tele
graph Her only consolation was derived
rom the Post. which, of course, sup
ported Clayton. and the final drop OF
bitterness in Kittrell's cup Of woe came
me evening when he realized that she
vas following with sympathetic interest
he cartoons in that paper.
For the Post had new cartoonist |
Banks, boy whom Hardy had picked
lp somewhere and was training to the |
york Kittrell had laid down. To Kittrell |
here was cruel fascination in the prog |
ess Banks was making He watched II |
With a critical, professional eye, at first |
With amusement, then with surprise. and |
low at last. in the discovery of Ediths |
interest, with keen jealousy Of which he |
vas ashamed. The boy was crude and |
Unframed; his work was not to be COM |