Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-12-14
Holding Up tho Mail to Make a Picture
From Harper's Magazine.

Backed up at right angles to the
stoop of the Cheval Blanc was a grand
father omnibus, which certainly dated
from the third empire. Its sign read:
"Grasse-St Cezai-e. Service de la
Poste." The anvas boot had the curve
stuck out over the drivers cal. The
loan pair Of horseshoe black. the
other white-stoode with noses turned
toward the tramway rails. The artist
was still gazing ~skylineward. I grasped
his arm and brought his eyes to earth.
No word was needed. He fumbled for
mis- pencil, but to our horror the driver
had mounted and was reaching for the
relns. I got across the street just in
time to save the picture. Holding out
cigars to the driver and q soldier be-
side him on the box. l begged them to
Wait-please to wait-just five little
minutes.
There is no place for another pas
senger. We are full inside" he re-
Monstrated.
But he had dropped the reins to
strike q match. In the moment thus
gained l got out a franc and pressed 1t
into his. hand.
Your coach, my FRIEND" I said is
unique in all France. The coffee Of
that celebrated artist yonder. sitting at
the terrace of the golden bar, is getting
cold while he imn1ortalizes the Grasse-
st. Cezaire service. I beg Of you to
delay your departure 10 little m1nutes.'
The soldier had found the cigar to
his liking. "A quarter Of an hour viii
90 no harm at ALL" he announced posi-
lively, getting down from his place.
The driver puffed and growled. 1--WE
nave our Journey to make. and the hour
of departure Is 1880. II 1t is not too
long-15 minutes at the most He
pocketed the a less reluctantly than
he had spoken.
Soon an old dame. wearing q bonnet
that ~antedated h coach, stuck out her
mead. A watch vas in her hand. Surely
she was not of the Midi! Fearing that
she might Influence the driver disad-
Vantageously to our interests, I went to
INFORM her that the delay was unayoid-
Die / could not, offer her a cigar.
Ihere are never any bonbons in my
pocket. So / thought to make a speech.
"All my excuses" / explained. "for
this r~egretable delay. The coach In
which you are seated-and in which
IN a very, very few minutes you will be
rlding-belong to the generation before
yourself and me. It is important fop
the SAX of history as web as art that
the presence j IN Grasse of my illustrious
artlst friend, c%oincident with the st.
Cezaire coach before the door Of the
Cheval Blanc, be seized upon to secure
Tor our grandchildren an indelible
memory Of travel conditions in BUR
day. So I beg your indulgence"
TWo school girls smothered q smoker.
There was a dangerous glitter In the
old DANES eyes. She did not answer
me. U q young woman raised her
voice in a threat to have the driver dis
missed. But enough time had been
gained. The artist signified his will
tngness to have the mail leave now for
st. Cezaire.
Off went the coach, white horse and
black horse gathering alternately hoofs
that would gladly AVE remained longer
IN repose. The soldier saluted. Tho
driver grinned. We waved to the nid
woman with the poke bonnet, and lifted
our glasses to several pretty girls who
appeared at the coach door for the first
time IN order h a they might glare at
vs.. ! am afraid I must record that It
was not answered. But we had the
sketch. That is what really matterad.