The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-03-09
more and somebody would Z, Z, been 4

WIN tueSe urCIu uOOSeS, contributed
by Lonny's faithful coterie, with the
sonorous Kinney perpetually sounding
the pictures merits and with the SOL
velt prestige of the pioneer Briscoe
covering it like precious varnish, 1t
seemed that the San Saba country
could not fail to add reputation as an
art center to its well known superiori-
ty In steer roping contests and achieve
ments with the precarious busted
flush. Thus was created for the pic
ture an atmosphere, due rather to ex-
ternals than to the artists brush, but
through it the people seemed to gaze
with more admiration. There was q
magic in the name of Briscoe that
counted high against faulty technique
and crude coloring. The old Indian
fighter and wolf slayer would have
smiled grimly in his happy hunting
grounds had he known that his dilet-
tante ghost was thus figuring as an
uninspired existence.
Came the day when the senate was
expected to pass the bill of Senator
Mullens appropriating $4,000 for the
purchase of the picture. The gallery
OF the senate chamber was early pre-
empted by Lonny and the San Saba
lobby. In the front row Of chairs they
sat, wild haired. self conscious, ling
ung, creaking and rattling, subdued by
the majesty of the council hall.
The bHl was introduced. went to the
second reading. and then Senator Mul-
lens spoke for 1t dryly, tediously and
at length. Senator Kinney then arose.
and the welkin seized the bellrope pre-
paratory to ringing
Senator Kinney spoke for hour.
History was his theme-his miti-
gated by patriotism and sentiment. He
referred casually to the picture in the
outer hall-it was unnecessary, he said
to dilate upon its mcrits-the senators
had seen for themselves. The painter
OF the picture was the grandson of
Lucien BriScoe. Then came the word
pictures of Briscoe's life set forth in
thrilling colors. His rude and ven
turesome life, his simple minded love
FOR the commonwealth he helped to uD-
build. his contempt for rewards and
praise. his extreme and sturdy inde-
pendence and the great services he had
Grafton was Lucien Briscoe The
painting stood in the background serv-
ing simply as q means, now happily
brought forward, through which the
state might bcstow tardy recompensc
upon the descendant of it's favorite
son.
The bill passed without an opposing
vote. Tomorrow it would be taken up
by the house. Already was it fixed to
glide through that body on rubber
tires. Blandford. GraysOn and Plum
mer. all wheelhorses and orators and
provided with plentiful memoranda
concerning the deeds of Pioneer Bris-
| coc. had agreed to furnish the motive
power.
The San Saba lobby and its protege
stumbled awkwardly down the stairs
| and out into the capitol yard. Then
they herded closely and gave one yell
Of triumph. But one of them-Buck
Knccd Summers it was-hit the key
with the thoughtful remark:
''She cut the mustard" he said "all
right. / reckon they're goin' to buy
Ions steer. l amt right much on the
parlymentry. but gather that's what
the signs added up. But she seems to
me. I.onny, the argument ran principal
to grandfather instead of paint. It's
reasonable calculatin' that you want to
he glad you got the Briscoe brand on
you. my SON"
That remark clinchcd in Lonny's
mind an unpleasant. vague suspicion to
the same effect. His reticence in
creased, and he gathered grass from
the ground, chewing it pensively. The
picture as n picture had been humili-
| atingly absent from the senator's ar
gumcnts. The painter had been held
up rs a grandson, pure and simple.
The hotel Lonny stopped at was near
the capitol. 1t was near to the 1 o'clock
dinner hour when the appropriation
had been passed by the senate. The
hotel clerk told Lonny that famous
artist from New York had arrived In
town that day and was in the hotel
He was on his way westward to New
Mexico to study the effect OF sunlight
upon the ancient wall Of the Zunis
Modern stone reflects light. Those an
cient building materials absorb it. The
artist wanted this effect in a picture
he was painting and was travelling
1000 miles to get 1t.
I.onny sought this man out after din
ner and told his story. The artist was
an unhealthy man. kept alive by gen
tus and Indifference to life. Ho went
with Lonny to the capitol and stood
there before the picture. The artist
10
SHOULD like to have your senti-
ments." said Lonny, Just as they run
out OF the PEN
ITS the way they'll come" said the
painter man. 81 took three different
kinds of medicines before dinner-by
the tablespoonful. The taste still lin
gers I am primed for telling the
truth. You want to know If the pic
ture is or If It isn't?"
f,,ht II