The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-02-19

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 its W deni-
Eens. Hundreds of connOisseurs had
straddled their broncos and ridden
miles to view it before its 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.
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 i'll
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 p%artaking of long
drinks In the cafe Of the Empire hotel.
"H'm!' said Senator Kinney, 81 don't
know. I'm no art critic. but it seems
to me the thing won't work. 1t looks
like the worst kind of a chrome to me.
| don't want to cast any reflections
upon the artistic talent Of your constit-
uent. Senator. but l, myself. wouldn't
give six bits for the picture-without
the frame. How are you going to cram
q thing like that down the throat of a
legislature that kicks about a 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 Kinney's glass with his
long f%oreinger. 81 have my own doubts
as to what the picture is intended to
represent, a bullfight or a Japanese
allegory, but l 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 a 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 1t 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
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 nv
seat In the senate and go back to chain
carrying for the county surveyor the
day can't make this state buy a pic
ture calcimined by a 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 a motion to adjourn. and
old One Eyed V killed half as many
indians as Briscoe did. About what
figure had you and the calcimiper
agreed upon to sandbag the treasury
for?"
II thought" said Mullens, that
maybe five hundred''-
give hundred!' interrupted Kinney
as be hammered on his glass for a
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
n 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
tifcates. Could have been governor.
but wouldn't. Declined a pension.
Now's the states chance to pay I'D
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. l reckon we'll be able
to pull along pretty we'll together this
session and maybe others to come, eh,
senator?"