Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-02-19

| This hyar time I lets ye go Back"
said Samson, "fer the reason thet I'm
tryin' like all HI ter keep this truce.
But ye must stay on yore side or
else ride the roads open. How is
Purvy terday?"
He's mighty porely." replied the
other, in a sullen voice.
"All right. Thet's another reason
why hit hain't healthy fer ye ever
hyar."
The spy turned and made his way
over the mountain.
OH him!" muttered Samson.
his face twitching. as the other was
lost In the underground. Some day
I'm a-goin' ter git him."
| Tamarack Spicer did not at once
reappear, and when one OF the Souths
met another in the road the customary
dialogue would be: "Heered anything
of Tamarack?" mo. hev you?"
mo. nary word"
AS Lescott wandered through the
hills, his unhurt right hand began cry
! ing out for action and brush to
nurse. AS he watched, day after day.
the unwilling of the monumental hills
and the transitions from hazy, wrath
like whispers Of hues to strong, f1aring
riot Of color, this fret Of restlessness
became actual pain. He was wasting
wonderful opportunity and the crea'
tive instinct in him was clamoring.
One morning, when he came out just
after sunrise to the tin wash basin
at the we'll, the desire to paint was on
him with compelling force. The hills
ended near their bases like things bit.
ten of. Beyond lay limitless stream
ers Of mist. but, while he stood at gaze.
the filmy veil began to lift and float
higher. Trees and mountains grew
taller. The sun, which showed first
as a ghost-like disk Of polished alumi.
nun. struggled through orange and
vermilion into a sphere Of living
flame. Lescott heard q voice at his
side
when does We low ter commence
painting"
1t was Samson. For answer tho
artist. with his unhurt hand, impa.
tiently tapped his bandaged wrist.
"Ye still got yore right hand. haint
ye?" demanded the boy. The other
laughed. 1t was typical question. So
long as one had the trigger finger left
one should not admit disqualification.
you see. Samson" he explained.
this isn't precisely like handling
gun. One must hold the palette; mix
the colors; wipe the brushes and do
half dozen equally necessary things.
1t requires at least two perfectly good
hands. Many people don't find two
enough"
But hit only takes one ter do the
paintin', don't hit?"
YES"
"Well'-the boy spoke diffident.y
but with nthusiasm-"between the
two of US we've got three hands. I
reckon We kin larn me how ter dc
them other things fer ye."
Lescott's surprise showed in his
face and the lad swept eagerly on.
"Mebby hit hain't none of my bust.
ness, but. all day yestiddy an the
day befo', l was studyin' bout this
here thing. an hustled up an got
tibet corn weeded an now I'm through.
Ell l kin help We out thought mah-
by" He paused and looked appeal
ingly at the artist.
Leecott whistled and then his face
lighted into contentment
To-day. Samson" he announced,
"Lescott, South and Company ret
busy"
1t was the first time he had seen
Samson smile, and, although the OK.
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 of with q
half-quizzical. half-disapproving glance.
AS the boy. with remarkable apti.
tude. learned how to adjust the easel
and arrange the paraphernalia, Lescott
sat drinking in through thirsty eyes
the stretch of landscape he had deter.
mined to paint.
Then, while he painted, the boy held
the palette, his eyes riveted on the
CdAtdoS WuASu "db 6IOWluH lEUm
blank to mirror of vistas-and the
boys pupils became deeply hungry.
The day of painting was followed
by others like it. The disabling OF
Lescotts left hand made the constant
companionship of the boy matter
that needed no explanation or apology,
though not matter of approval to his
uncle.
Another week had passed without
the temperance of Tamarack Spicer.
One afternoon Lescott and Samson
were alone on cliff-protected shelf,
and the painter had just blocked in
with lumber and neutral tint the crude
sketch of his next picture.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Tribute Money.
Fancy long ago said that the black