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

knew that with the help Of Senatos
Kinney, who was power In the legis.
lature, the thing could be put through.
Now, Senator Kinney had an irrigation
bill that he wanted passed for the ben
eft Of his own section, and he knew
Senator Mullens could render him val.
liable aid and information, the San Saba
country already enjoying the benefits
of similar legislation. With these in.
terests happily dovetailed, wonder at
the sudden interest in art at the state
capital must, necessarily, be small.
Few artists have uncovered their first
pictures to the world under happier
auspices than did Lonny Briscoe.
Senator Kinney and Mullens came to
an understanding in the matter Of irri.
cation and art while partaking of long
drinks in the cafe Of the Empire hotel.
"H'm!' said Senator Kinney, II don't
know. I'm no art critic, but 1t seems
to me the thing won't work. It looks
like the worst kind of q chrome to me.
don't want to cast any reflections
upon the artistic talent of your constit'
uent Senator, but I, myself, wouldn't
give six bits for the picture-withou
the frame. How are you going to cram
thing like that down the throat Of a
legislature that kicks about little item
in the expense bill of 1851 for rubber
erasers for only one term? It's vast,
ing time. I'd Like to help you, Null.
lens, but they'd laugh US out of the
senate chamber If we were to try it"
"But you don't get the point" said
Senator Mullens, In his deliberate
tones tapping Kinney's glass with his
long forefinger. II have my own doubts
as to what the picture is intended to
represent, q bullflght or a japanese
allegory, but want this legislature to
make an appropriation to purchase.
OF course, the subject Of the picture
should have been In the state historical
line, but it's too late to have the paint
scraped of and changed. The state
won't miss the money and the picture
can be slowed away In lumber room
where it won't annoy any one. Now,
here's the point to work on, leaving
art to look after itself-the chap that
painted the picture is the grandson of
Lucien Briscoe."
"Say it again." said-Kinney. leaning
his head thoughtfully. "Of the old,
original Lucien BriscoeY
"Of him. The man who,' you know.
The man who carved the state out of
the wilderness. The man who settled
the Indians. The man who cleaned
out the horse thieves. The man who
refused the crown. The states favor.
lite son. Do you see the point now%
Wrap up the picture" said Kinney.
Its as good as sold. Why didn't you
say that at first, instead Of philander
Ing along about art. I'll resign my
seat in the senate and 60 back to chain
carrying for the county surveyor the
day can't make this state buy pic.
ture calcimined by grandson of Lu
Glen Briscoe. Did you ever hear Of a
special appropriation for the purchase
Of a home for the daughter Of One
Eyed Smothers? Well, that went
through like motion to adjourn, and
old One Eyed never killed half as many
/ Indians as Briscoe did. About what
figure had you and the calciminel
agreed upon to sandbag the treasury
for?'
"I thought" said Mullens, that
maybe five hundred"-
give hundredp' interrupted Kinney
! as he hammered on his glass for q
lead pencil and looked around for a
waiter. "Only FIVE hundred for a red
steer on the hoof delivered by a grand.
son of Lucien Briscoe! Where's your
state pride. man? Two thousand is
what it'll be. You'll introduce the bill
and I'll get up on the floor Of the SEN
ate and wave the scalp Of every Indian
old Lucien ever murdered. Let's see;
there was something else proud and
foolish he did, wasn't there? Oh, yes;
he declined all emoluments and bene-
fits he was entitled to. Refused his
head right and veteran donation GER
tif1cates. Could have been governor.
! but wouldn't. Declined q pension.
Now's the states chance to pay up.
It'll have to take the picture, but then
It deserves some punishment for keep
ing the Briscoe family waiting so long.
Well bring this thing up about the
middle Of the month after the tax bill
Is settled. Now, Mullens. you send
over as soon as you. can and get me
the figures on the cost Of those irriga-
ton bitches and the statistics about
the increased production per acre. I'm
going to need you when that bill Of
mine comes up. / reckon well be able
to pull along pretty well together this
session and maybe others to come. eh,
senator?"
/. Thus did fortune elect to smile upon
the boy artist of the San Saba. Fate
had already done her share when she
arranged his atoms In the cosmogony
Of creation as the grandson Of Lucien
Briscoe. 49,.
The original Briscoe had been a pio-
neer both as to territorial occupation
and in certain acts prompted by a
great and simple heart. he had been
one Of the first settlers and crusaders
against the wild forces Of nature. the
savage and the shallow politician. His
name and memory were revered equal
" with any upon the list comprising
Houston. Boone, Crockett, CLARK and
Green. He had lived simply, INDIE
pendently and unvexed by ambition.
Even a less shrewd man than Senator
Kinney could have prophesied that bis
state would hasten to honor and re-
| ward his grandson, come out OF the
ehaparral- -at even 80 late day.
/ And 80 before the great picture BY
1 tlia door Of the chamber Of representa-
tives at frequent times for many days
could be found the breezy. robust form
! OF Senator Kinney and be heard hts
clarion voice reciting the past deeds o.
Lucien Briscoe In connection with the
handiwork Of his grandson. Senator
4 Mullens' work was more subdued N
sight and sound. but directed along
\ identical lines.
Then AZ the day for the introduction
4 Of the bill for appropriation draws nigh