The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-02-12

ZM"A HA"""|Z"H =" $50 -" 49,"
tryin' like ali hi ter keep this truce
But ye must stay on yore side or
else ride the roads OPEN. How 10
Purvy terdayf'
He's mighty porely," replied the
other. In a sullon voice.
"Aii right Thet's another q
why hit haint healthy fer ye over
hyar."
The spy turned and made his way
over sne mountain.
"D-n himi" muttered samson.
his face twitching, AZ the other was
lost in the underground. Some dey
Pm a-eoin' ter git him."
Tamarack splcer did not At once
reappear, ana when n Of the souths
met another in the road the customary
dialogue would be; "Heered anything
OF Tamarack7" mo. hev your
mo. nary a word"
As Lescott wandered through the
hills. his unhurt right hand began cry
Ing out for action and a brush 70
nurse. As he watched. day after day,
the unwilling Of the monumental hills
and the transitions from hazy, wrath
like whispers OF hues 70 strong, haring
riot OF color, this fret Of reatiessneas
became actual pain. he was wasting
wonderful opportunity and the crea-
tive instinct In him was elamorinE.
One morning. when he came out Just
after sunrise to the tin wash basin
at the well. the desire TO paint was on
him with compelling force. The hills
ended near their bases like things bit
ten on. Beyond lay iimitless stream
ers OF mist, but, while he stood at gaze,
the hlmy veil began 70 lift and hoat
higher. Trees and mountains grew
taller, The sun. which showed hrst
as a ghost,like disk Of polished alumi'
mum. struggled through orange and
vermlllon into q sphere OF living
fame. Lescott heard a voice at his
side.
when does ye low ter commence
pnlntin'f"
Il was Samson. For answer the
artist. with his unhurt hand, impa-
tiently tapped his bandaged wrist.
"Ye still got yore right hand, hain't
YET" demanded the boy. The other
laughed. Il was a typical question. So
long as n had the trigger finger left
n should not admit disqualification.
"You see, Samson" he explained.
this isn't precisely like handling a
gun. One must hold the palette; mix
the c%olors; wipe the brushes and do
half a dozen equally necessary things
II requires at least two perfectly good
hands. Many people don't End two
enough"
"But hit only takes one ter do the
paintin'. don't hit7"
Yes"
"Welr'-the boy spoke difidently
but with enthusiasm-"between the
two OF us we've got three hands. I
reckon ye kin larn me how ter do
them other things fer ye."
Lescott's surprise showed in his
face and the lad swept eagerly on.
"Mebby hit hGint none OF my bust
ness, but. all day yestiddy an the
day befO', ! was studyin' bout this
here thing, an ! hustled up an got
tibet corn weeded an now I'm through.
III l kin help ye out l thought meb-
by" He paused and looked appeal
ingly at the artist.
Lescott whlstled aud then his face
lighted into contentment.
To-day, Samson" he announced,
"Lescott. South and Company get
busy"
Il was the first time he had Q
Samson smile. and. although the en-.
preston was one OF sheer delight in.
herent somberness loaned It a touch
Of the wistful.
When. an hour later. the two set
out, the mountain boy carried the par.
aphernalia and the old man standing
at the door watched them on with q
half-qulzzical, half-disapproving glance.
As the boy. with remarkable apti-
tude. learned how 10 adjust the easel
and arrange the paraphernalla, Lescott
sat drinking In through thirsty eyes
the stretch OF landscape ne had deter
mined 10 paint.
Then. while ne painted, the boy held
the palette, his eyes riveted on the
canvas, which was growing from =
blank 20 a mirror OF vistas-and the
boys pupils became deeply hungry.
The day OF painting was followed
by others like IL. The disabling OF
Lescott's left hand made the constant
companicnship OF the boy a matter
that needed no explanation or apology,
though not a matter Of approval 10 his
uncle.
Another week had passed without
the temperance OF Tamarack Spicer.
One afternoon Lescott and Samson
we're alone on a clla-proteeted shelf,
and the painter had Just blocked In
with lumber and neutral tint the crude
sketch Of his next picture.
ITO BE coNTINuEDJ