The Spectator., 1914-11-13
CHAPTER |.
Of lntroductions.

0AO AASAOu0SCu, WhO hONOi iCdiiy hCCSy said Pedro, that 1t seems a pity those who could meet have to wait for an introduction. eh?'
 MT. Jones stopped licking his front paws, and raised his head, the tip of his nose twitching attentively. For several moments he looked at Pedro with an unwavering stare, and then, as though suddenly remembering what he had been about, resumed the lava torial process. It might be mentioned in passing that MT. Jones was a small brown bear. fat, young and intelligent.
 Pedro rolled over in the dried vel low grass, luxuriating in its warmth, and in the poignant odor of autumn foliage turned to flame by long ab- sorption of the summer sun. To the youth lying in the stubby grass life seemed just now to hold all too many possibilities. and he was filled with sort of self-pity, because he could not grasp them all
 Although it was only mid-afternoon he had already stolen away from Beau Jean. Rico and the others, ill order to fight out the battle of an impor- tant decision in privacy. But now that he was alone with his problem and his bear he found himself afraid of the former. and to put off the evil moment when he must think in good earnest he talked to the animal The lad reached out a slim, brown hand and took up one of the newly laved paws.
 How do you do, Mir. Jones?" said he solemnly. "I am delighted to meet you!-That's how they do 1t, eh? Now, call 1t silly that some one has to say Q charm before two others are permit ted to make an inquiry after the health! What do you think. MT. Jones?"
 The bear gave little grunt and thrust his nose into the boys palm.
 "Ah! l knew you would agree" ex- claimed Pedro. He gave the crea- lures ear an affectionate tweak and then spread his slender length upon the ground again.
 "I liked that girl" he continued . Jones; she had red hair Not horrid red, but red-gold like-like joy! All crisp and curling it was. And such beautiful pale face. She looked at me, you must know. but l did not dare to speak, because she would not have an swered. and that would have been a tragedy. Why should she speak to ragged young man to whom she had never been introduced? Of course, she would not. l wish she had. though. because I liked her .. But l could look at her. That was something! There was line. amigo mic. from her chin to the base of her throat-ah!"
 He rolled over again. burying his face in his folded arms. One long sigh escaped him, and then a second. for the mention of that beautiful line from breast to chin had reawakened his subdominant problem-the prob lem of his future. and of his life work Happy as he was. he could no longer put of decision regarding it. The craving to get at the occupation near est his heart had been' gathering strength these many months past and was now straining at the leashes of his will. tearing him from one dearly loved way of life to another. scarcely tried. yet which called him ceaselessly Was he to continue free-(a mere dancer of bears) but free? Or should he at last become a painter chained to his work by ties as strong as those which held his bear. for all they would be invisible?
 Before his mental vision arose the phantom of what he would fain inter- pret and depict The spires of cities. smoke from the altars of com merce. teeming multitudes of men and women. Shops. lights, color. movement, broad boulevards adorned by the equipages of the rich; narrow alleys where the poor jostled and bar. tered at push-carts in the murky flare of lamps: visions of broad roof-tops. spreading acre on acre, mile on mile . veritable ocean of roofs stretching far as eye could see. covering more
 
 know. more colored with joy than the hand could depict
 But how could he let so the inn mite variety of every day? An! he could not: it was impossible! Re- nounce the long. white road that led to nowhere. yet which brought one to . new place each hour? Renounce the nights spent beneath the open heavens the sweet summer nights among the meadow flowers; the win ter twilights. when he and the bear covered down together in the hay of . lonely barn. or if they were rich. procured the privilege of a tavern Kitchen with the spoils of the eve nins's performance! Oh. blessed days of journeying among simple adven- tures. tramping all through the noon. or lOafinK long hours and dreaming!