Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-05-24

ator Mullens, representing the San
Saba country, 1ukewarm in his belief
that the state should purchase the
painting of his constituent. He was
advised that the San Saba country was
unanimous in its admiration Of the
great painting by one of it's own deni
zens Hundreds of connoisseurs had
straddled their broncos and ridden
miles to view it before it's removal to
the capital Senator Mullens desired
reelection, and he knew the impor.
lance of the San Saba vote He also
knew that with the help Of Senator
Kinney, who was a power in the legis
lature, the thing could be put through
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
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'mr' said Senator Kinney, 81 don't
know. I'm no art critic, but it seems
to me the thing won't work. It looks
fhn 0r.cS+l 1T Of oh A0
l 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-without
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 $6S1 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 Kfnney's glass with his
long forefinger. II have my own doubts
as to what the picture is intended to
d
allegory, but I 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 OFF and changed. The state
won't miss the money and the picture
can be slowed away in q 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 Briscoe?'
"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.
ite 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 nv
seat in the senate and go back to chain
carrying for the county surveyor the
day [ can't make this state buy a Die
ture calcimined by a grandson of Lu
Glen Briscoe. Did you ever hear Of 6
special appropriation for the purchase
OF home for the daughter of One
Eyed Smothers? Well, that wen
through like a motion to adjourn. ani
Old One Eyed never killed half as many
indians as Briscoe did. About VIVA
figure had you and the calcimine1
agreed upon to sandbag the treasury
for?
Il thought" said Mullens. "tha
maybe five hundred''-
Five hundredr' interrupted Kinney
as he hammered on his glass for ;
lead pencil and looked around for ,
waiter, Only five hundred for a ret
steer on the hoof delivered by grand
son OF Lucien Briscoe! Where's YOU
state pride. man? Two thousand i
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 India]
Old Luc1en ever murdered. Let's see
there was something else proud an
foolish he did, wasn't there? Oh, yes
he declined all emoluments and bene
fits he was entitled to. Refused hi
head right and veteran donation ce,
tifcates. Could have been governor
but wouldn't. Declined a pension
Nows the states chance to pay III
It'll have to take the picture, but the
it deserves some punishment for keer
= ing the Briscoe family waiting so Ions
, Wen bring this thing up about tn
! middle Of the month after the tax bi
!, is settled. Now, Mullens, you sen
over as soon as you can and get NJ
" the figures on the cost Of those irrig;
ton bitches and the statistics abor
the increased production per acre. T.
going to need you when that bill
mine comes up. I reckon We'll be alb
+. to pull along pretty we'll together th