Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-02-15


Of the picture was the grandson o.
Lucien Briscoe. Then came the wort
pictures of Briscoe's life set forth II
thrilling colors. His rude and ven
turesome life, his simple minded lov,
for the commonwealth he helped to up
build. his contempt for rewards an(
praise. his extreme and sturdy inde
pendence and the great services he hat
rendered the state. The subject Of th'
Grafton was Lucien Briscoe. Thl
painting stood in the background serv
ing simply as a means, now happily
brought forward, through which tht
state might bestow tardy recompens'
upon the descendant Of It's favorite
son.
The bill passed without an opposing
vote. Tomorrow 1t would be taken VI
by the house. Already was 1t fixed II
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
coe, had agreed to furnish the motive
power.
The San Saba lobby and it's protege
stumbled awkwardly down the stairs
and out into the capitol yard. Then
they herded closely and gave one vel
Of triumph. But one Of them-Bucs
Kneed Summers 1t was-hit the key
with the thoughtful remark:
"She cut the mustard" he said, al
right. I reckon they're goin' to buy
Ions steer. l amt right much on the
parlyment'ry. but I gather that's what
the signs added up. But she seems to
me, Lonny. the argument ran principal
to grandfather instead Of paint. It's
reasonable calculatin' that you want to
be glad you got the Briscoe brand or
you, my son.
That remark clinched in Lonny's
mind an unpleasant, vague suspicion to
the same effect. His reticence In.
creased, and he gathered grass from
the ground, chewing 1t pensively. The
picture as a picture had been humili.
atingly absent from the senator's ar
guments. The painter had been held
up as grandson, pure and simple.
The hotel Lonny stopped at was neal
the capitol. It was near to the O'Clock
dinner hour when the appropriation
had been passed by the senate. The
hotel clerk told Lonny that a 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 picture
he was painting and was travelling
1900 miles to get It.
Lonny sought this man out after din
ner and told his story. The artist was
an unhealthy man. kept alive by gen.
ius and Indifference to life. He went
with Lonny to the capitol and stood
there before the picture. The artist
pulled his beard and looked unhappy.
"Should like to have your sent.
ments," said Lonny. "5ust as they run
out of the pen."
"It's the way they'll come" said the
painter man. IT 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 1t isn't"
fright" said Lonny. els 1t wool or
cotton7 Should I paint some more or
cut it out and ride herd a-plenty?"
'I heard a rumor during pie" said
the artist, "that the state Is about to
pay you $1,000 for this picture"
"It's passed the senate" said Lonny.
,and the house rounds It up tomor-
kow."
'That's lucky" said the pale man.
''Do you carry a rabbits footT
"No." said Lonny. "but 1t seems I
had a grandfather. Hes considerable
mixed U in the color scheme. It took
me a year to paint that picture. Is
she entirely awful or not? Some says,
now. that that steers tail amt badly
drawed. They think it's propordoned
nice. Tell me-"
The artist glanced at Lonny's why
figure and nut brown skin. Something
stirred him to a passing irritation.
"For arts sake, son." he said, frac'
hously, don't spend any more money
for paint. 1t isn't a picture at all. 1ts
gun. You hold up the state with II
If you like and get your $1,000, but
don't get In front Of any more canvas
Live under It. Buy couple Of hun
dred ponies with your money-Im told
they're that cheap-and ride, ride, ride
Fill your lungs and eat and sleep and
be happy. No more pictures. You
look healthy. That's genius. Cultivate
It," He looked at his watch. "Twen'
ty minutes to 8. Four capsules and
one tablet at 8. That's all you wanted
to know. isn't It"
At o'clock the cowpunchers rode uI
for Lonny, bringing Hot Tamales, sad
died. Traditions must be observed
To celebrate the passage Of the bill by
the senate the gang must ride wildly
through the town. creating uproar and
excitement.
"Come on, boys" said Lonny, urging
Hot Tamales into gallop with bis
knees. With a whoop the inspired lob
by tore after him through the dust
Lonny led his cohorts straight for the
capitol. With wild yell the gang in
dorsed his now evident intention Of
riding into it. Hooray for San Saba!
Up the six broad limestone steps clat
tered the bronchos Of the cowpunch
ers. Into the resounding hallway tne1
battered, scattering in dismay those
passing on foot. Lonny, In the lead
showed Hot Tamales direct for tht
great picture. At that hour down
pouring, soft light from the secone
story windows bathed the big canvas
Against the darker background Of thu
hall the painting stood out with vaiu
able effect. In spite of the defects o.
the art you could almost fancy tha
you gazed out upon landscape. Yot
might well finch a step from the con