The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-14
Holding Up the 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. It's sign read:
Grasses. Cezaire. Service de Ia
Poste."" The canvas boot had the curve
OF ocean waves. A pert little hood
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. 1 grasped
his arm and brought his eyes to earth.
NO word was needed. He fumbled for
his pencil. but to our horror the driver
a mounted and was reaching for the
reins. l 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, / begged them to
w~ait-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 ome thus
gained l got out a franz and pressed 1t
into his hand.
Your coach, my friend" 1 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 immortalizes the Grasse-
st. Cezaire service. I beg Of you to
delay your departure 10 little minutes
The soldier had found the cigar to
his liking. "A quarter of an hour will
do no harm at ALL" he announced posi-
lively, getting down from his place.
h driver puffed and growled. 1--WE
have u journey to make, and the hour
of departure is 1880. If 1t is not too
long-l5 minutes at the most" He
pocketed the franc less reluctantly thar
he had spoken.
Soon an old dame, wearing q bonnet
that ~antedated the coach, stuck out her
head. A watch was in her hand. Surely
she was not Of the Midi! Fearing that
she might Influence the driver disad-
v~antageously to our interests, I Eel to
inform her that the delay was unavoid-
able. / could not offer her a cigar.
There are never any bonbons in my
pocket. So i thought to make a speech.
All my excuses" I explained, 'for
this regretable delay. The coach in
which you are seated-and in which
in a very, very few minutes you will be
riding-belong to the generation before
yourself and me. 1t Is important for
the sake of history as well as art that
the presence in Grasse Of my illustrious
artist friend, coincident with the st.
CeZaire coach before the door Of the
Cheval Blanc. be seized upon to secure
Tor u grandchildren an indelible
memory OF travel conditions In our
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, but a young woman raised her
voice in a threat to nave the driver dis
missed. But enough time had been
gained. The artist signified his will
ingness to have the mail leave now for
st. Cezaire.
Off went the coach, white horse and
black horse Gathering alternately hoofs
that would gladly nave remained longer
In epose. The soldier saluted. The
driver grinned. We waved to the old
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 that they might glare at
us. l am afraid I must record that 1t
was to glare. Our friendly salutation
was not answered. But we had the
sketch. That is what really mattered.