Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-12-13
Holding UP the Mail to Make a Picture
From Harper's Magazine.

ASsA ~ -
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 Cezaire. Service de la
Poste." The canvas boot had the curve
stuck out over the drivers seat. The
loan pair of horseshoe black. the
other white-stood with noses turned
toward the tramway rails. The artist
was still gazing skylineward. l grasped
his arm and brought his eyes to earth.
No word was needed. He fumbied for
his pencil, but to our horror the driver
had mounted and was reaching for the
reins l got GRO the street just in
time to a v the picture. Holding out
cigars to the driver and n 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 a match. In the ONE 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 immortali2es the Grasse-
st. Cezaire service. / beg of you to
delay your departure 10 little minutes"
The soldier had found the cigar t.
his liking. "A quarter of an hour will
do no harm at ALL" he 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. If it is not too
ions-l5 minutes at the most" He
pocketed the franc less reluctantly than
he had spoken.
Soon an Die dame. wearing a bonnet
that antedated the coach, stuck out her
mead. A watch was 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 thai the delay was unavoid.
aDle. L could not offer her a cigar.
There are never any bonbons in my
pocket. So l thought to make a speech.
AN my excuses" l explained, "for
mis- regretable delay. The coach in
Whlcn you are seated-and in which
r1dlng--belong to the generation before
yourself and me. 1t is important for
the sake of history as we'll as art that
tne presence In Grasse OF my illustrious
artist friend. c%oincident with the st.
Cezalre coach before the door Of the
tneVal Blanc. be seized upon to secure
ior u grandchildren an indelib,e
memoir Of travel conditions in our
day. So 1 beg your indulgence"
TWO school girls smothered a smoker.
Inere was a dangerous glitter in the
old danes eyes. She did not answer
me. but a 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
lnsness to have h maj. leave now for
st. Cezaire.
Off went the coach, white horse and
nlack horse gathering alternately hoofs
that would gladly have remained lonpe1.
IN repose. The soldier saluted. The
driver grinned. We waved to the old
woman with the poke bonnet, ana lifted
our glasses to several pretty girls who
appeared at h coach door for the first
time IN order that they might glare at
US. I am afraid I must record that II
was to glare. Our friendly salutation
was not answered. But we had the
sketch. That Is what really mattered.