The Delta independent., 1915-06-11
laying, a picture.

THAT proves IT," he said. II had
| only to finish. didn't have much to
undo. Boy. you're wasting yourself.
Come with me. and let me make you.
We all pretend there Is no such thing,
IN these days. as sheer genius; but,
deep down, we know that. unless there
is, there can be no such thing as true
art. There is genius and you have
it." Enthusiasm was again sweeping
him into an unintended outburst.
The boy stood silent. Across his
countenance swept conflict of emo
tions. He looked away. as If taking
counsel with the hills.
ITS what I'm a-honin' fer" he ad-
mitted at last. Hits what I'd give
half my life fer. mout sell
my land, an raise the money. E.
l reckon hit would take passels OF
money, wouldn't hit?" He paused. and
his eyes fell on the rife leaning against
! the tree. His lips frightened in sudden
remembrance. He went over and
picked up the gun, and. as he did SO.
he shook his head.
NO" he stolidly declared; every
LudH " lib OWh tooios ms ASiS
mine"
Yet. when they were again out
sketching, the temptation to play with
brushes once more seized him, and he
took his place before the easel.
Neither he nor Lescott noticed man
who crept down through the timber,
and for time watched them. The
mans face wore a surly, contemptuous
grin. and shortly it withdrew.
But. an hour later, while the boy
was still working industriously and
the artist was lying on his back. with
4 pipe between his teeth. and his half
closed eyes gazing up contentediy
through the green of overhead
branches. their peace was broken by
! guffaw OF derisive laughter. They
looked up. to find at their backs a semi
circle of scofing humanity. Lescott's
impulse was to laugh. for only the
comedy of the situation at the mo-
ment struck him. A stage director.
Ietting a comedy scene with that most
ancient of jests. the gawking OF boobs
At some new sight. could hardly have
improved on this tableau. At the front
stood Tamarack Spicer, the returned
xanderer. His lean wrist was stretched
)ut of a ragged sleeve all too short. and
lis tattered Jimmy" was showed back
,ver face all a-grin. His eyes we're
,lood-shot with recent drinking. but
lis manner was in exaggerated and
cumbersome imitation of rural mas-
ter OF ceremonies. AT his back were
the rawboned men and women and
children of the hills, to the number of
q dozen.
Ladies' and gentlemen" announced
Tamarack Spicer, in hiccoughing
voice. Swing yo' partners an sashay
forward See the only son OF the late
Henry South engaged in his mar-ve-
lous an heretofore undiscovered occu-
patton OF doin' fancy work. Ladies' and
gentlemen, after this here show Is
concluded, keep your seats for the con-
cert in the main tent. This here IN.
nous performer will favor ye with
little exhibition of plain an fancy
sock-darnin'."
After the frst surprise. Samson had
turned his back on the group He was
mixing paint at the time and he pro
ceeded to experiment with neetins
cloud effect. which would not outlast
the moment. He finished that. and.
reaching for the palette-knife. scraped
his fingers and wiped them on his
trousers legs. Then. he deliberately
rose.
without . word he turned. Tama
rack had begun his harangue afresh
The boy tossed back the long lock
from his forehead. and then. with
an Unexpectedly swift movement
crouched and leaped. His right fist
shot forward to Tamarack Spicer's
chattering lips. and they abruptly
ceased to chatter as the teeth were
driven into their flesh. Spicer's head
snapped back. and he staggered against
the onlookers. where he stood rocking
on his unsteady legs. His hand swept